Direct bookings and stays at the Penedo do Bufo estate
Version 1.1 – 26 august 2026
RNAL: 3520593, 3520647 & 3520658.
1. Operator identity, purpose and scope
These General Rental Terms (GRT) are issued by Penedo de Cima, Lda., a Portuguese company with corporate taxpayer number (NIPC) 517 362 821, whose registered office is at Estrada Municipal 124, apartado 339Z, Cerro das Casas, 8100-168 Salir, Loulé, Portugal. Contact: info@penedodobufo.com.
They govern bookings and stays at Penedo do Bufo, Caminho Cerro das Casas, Cerro das Casas, 8100-168 Salir, Loulé, Portugal, whether the booking concerns a room, a house, several areas or the exclusive use of the entire estate.
They apply to direct bookings made by email, telephone, online form or any other method accepted by Penedo do Bufo. Where a booking is made through a platform, the platform’s terms prevail in respect of matters expressly governed by them, in particular payment and cancellation. These GRT and the House Rules remain applicable to the use of the premises insofar as they do not conflict with the platform’s terms.
1.1 Contractual documents and order of priority
The contract consists of the following documents, in descending order of priority:
- the Rental Agreement, the accepted quotation, the booking confirmation and any special terms expressly agreed in writing;
- these GRT;
- the House Rules.
In the event of any inconsistency or difficulty of interpretation, the special terms prevail over the GRT, and the GRT prevail over the House Rules. Information on the website and in the FAQ is descriptive and informative only; the accommodation features, prices and services finally agreed are those stated in the booking confirmation or Rental Agreement.
The lead guest confirms that they received the applicable documents before committing themselves, had the opportunity to read them and ask questions, and undertakes to bring them to the attention of all occupants and authorised visitors.
1.2 Definitions
- Lead guest: the individual or legal entity making the booking and responsible for its performance.
- Occupant or guest: any person authorised to stay at or access the estate under the booking.
- Operator: Penedo de Cima, Lda., trading as Penedo do Bufo.
- Consumer: an individual acting for purposes outside their trade, business, craft or profession.
- Business booking: a booking made in the course of a professional activity, including a seminar, organised retreat, production or corporate event.
2. Accommodation, capacity and registered persons
The essential features of the accommodation, private and shared areas, capacity, dates, price and included services are stated in the offer or booking confirmation.
Where the entire estate is booked exclusively, the maximum overnight capacity is 22 persons, including babies, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Each room, suite, dormitory or house also has its own capacity, which must be observed.
No additional mattress, camp bed, sofa bed or inflatable bed may be added. Only cots or young children’s beds expressly agreed before arrival are permitted.
The lead guest must provide, within the requested time limits, the identity and necessary details of all occupants. The Operator may request a valid identity document and must complete the statutory registration formalities for foreign guests.
Minors must be accompanied and remain under the permanent responsibility of an adult. The lead guest must be at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into the contract.
3. Formation of the booking and absence of a right of withdrawal
Unless otherwise stated in the offer, a direct booking becomes binding once the Operator has received:
- written acceptance of the offer or the signed Rental Agreement;
- the requested deposit;
- the information essential to organising and registering the stay.
A mere availability enquiry or the sending of a quotation does not hold the dates until the booking has been confirmed in writing.
Under Article 17(1)(k) of Portuguese Decree-Law No. 24/2014, the 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to non-residential accommodation services provided for a specific date or period. The cancellation terms in Clause 6 therefore apply from confirmation of the booking.
4. Price, deposit, balance and invoicing
The total price, taxes, compulsory supplements and optional services are communicated before confirmation. Any tourist tax or public charge applicable at the time of the stay is invoiced in accordance with the rules then in force, unless already included in the advertised price.
Unless different special terms apply:
- a deposit of 30% of the total amount is due upon booking;
- the balance is due 30 days before arrival;
- for a booking made less than 30 days before arrival, the full price is payable immediately.
Accepted payment methods are stated in the offer or confirmation. No undisclosed payment fee may be added. Amounts are deemed paid when they have actually been credited to the account specified by the Operator.
In the event of late payment, the Operator will send a reminder allowing a reasonable period for payment. If payment is not made, the Operator may cancel the booking; the financial consequences will then be those of a cancellation by the guest on the date of cancellation.
An invoice is issued in accordance with Portuguese law. The guest must provide accurate invoicing details in good time, including the name or company name, address and tax number where these are to appear on the invoice.
5. Security deposit
A security deposit may be required. Its amount, method and due date are stated in the Rental Agreement or booking confirmation. Unless otherwise stated, it is equal to 30% of the accommodation price.
The security deposit covers only reasonable amounts due for damage, loss, missing items, abnormal cleaning costs, unreturned keys or equipment, excess occupancy, unpaid services or another proven contractual breach.
It is returned no later than seven days after departure, once the premises have been checked. If damage requires a quotation, expert assessment or further information, the Operator will inform the guest within that period and make the final calculation as soon as possible, normally within 30 days.
Any deduction will be explained and, where possible, supported by evidence. Fair wear and tear and pre-existing defects may not be charged to the guest.
6. Changes and cancellation by the guest
Any request for a change must be made in writing. It is effective only after confirmation by the Operator and may result in a price adjustment according to the new dates, configuration and services requested.
Unless more favourable special terms apply, cancellation of a direct booking has the following consequences:
- More than 60 days before arrival: full refund of amounts paid for accommodation.
- Between 30 and 60 days before arrival: refund of 50% of the deposit; any balance not yet due is not payable.
- Less than 30 days before arrival: amounts due or already paid for accommodation are non-refundable.
- No-show or early departure: no refund is due for unused nights or services, except where mandatory law provides otherwise.
Cancellation takes effect on the date the written request is received. If the Operator succeeds in re-letting all or part of the cancelled dates, the guest will be refunded the amounts actually recovered for the same services, less direct and reasonable costs associated with the new booking, and never more than the amounts paid.
Guests are advised to take out insurance covering cancellation, curtailment, medical care, personal liability and personal belongings.
7. Cancellation by the Operator and force majeure
If the booked accommodation becomes unavailable before arrival, the Operator will inform the guest without delay and, where reasonably possible, offer equivalent or superior replacement accommodation at no extra cost. If the guest refuses a non-equivalent alternative or no suitable solution is available, all amounts paid for services not provided will be refunded, without prejudice to the guest’s mandatory rights.
Neither party is liable for a failure directly caused by an unforeseeable and unavoidable event outside its reasonable control, such as a natural disaster, fire, official decision, major network outage or exceptional public-health situation. The affected party must notify the other without delay and mitigate the consequences. Services that definitively cannot be provided will be refunded or postponed by mutual agreement, subject to mandatory law.
8. Arrival, departure, access and right of entry
Arrival and departure times are stated in the booking confirmation or agreed in writing. Early arrival or late departure is subject to availability and may incur a supplement disclosed in advance.
Codes, keys and access devices are personal and may be shared only with registered occupants and authorised visitors. The guest must close the gate and access points after every use and immediately report any lost key or disclosed code.
The Operator respects the guest’s peaceful enjoyment of the premises. However, after reasonable notice, the Operator may enter rented areas to carry out repairs, essential maintenance, a safety inspection or an agreed service. In an emergency, where there is danger, suspected serious damage or the guest cannot be contacted, entry may take place without prior notice.
9. Use of the premises, visitors and events
The premises are intended solely for accommodation and the agreed uses. Subletting, transfer of the booking, accommodation of unregistered persons and unlawful activities are prohibited.
External visitors are admitted only with the Operator’s prior approval and subject to capacity, safety, the neighbourhood and areas reserved for other guests.
Weddings, organised retreats, seminars, group meals, photo shoots, productions, commercial activities, amplified music and other events require prior written approval and, where applicable, a specific contract, insurance, timetable, capacity and price.
Where the estate is not booked exclusively, each group must respect the private areas allocated to it and share common areas in accordance with the House Rules. Exclusive use does not remove the obligation to respect neighbours, safety rules and agreed times.
10. Included and optional services
Included services are those stated in the offer or confirmation. Unless otherwise indicated, accommodation includes reasonable use of water and energy, linen for registered occupants, Wi-Fi access and access to the areas expressly included in the booking.
For stays of at least seven nights, a weekly linen refresh and housekeeping visit are included unless a different arrangement is agreed. Breakfasts, meals, chef or catering services, additional housekeeping, laundry, pool heating, transport, activities and other personalised services are optional and charged in accordance with the accepted quotation.
A service provided by an external partner may be subject to that partner’s own terms. Penedo do Bufo remains responsible for its own obligations and will inform the guest when a partner contracts directly with them.
11. Safety, swimming pool, pets and smoking
The guest and occupants must comply with the House Rules, posted instructions and the Operator’s reasonable directions, particularly in relation to fire, barbecues, the swimming pool, children, parking and environmental protection.
There is no lifeguard at the swimming pool. Children, non-swimmers and vulnerable persons must remain under the constant supervision of a responsible adult. This obligation does not limit the Operator’s legal liability for any defect attributable to it.
Pets are admitted only with prior written approval and subject to the House Rules. Smoking or vaping indoors is strictly prohibited. Outdoors, only areas provided with ashtrays may be used, and all fire-risk restrictions must be observed.
12. Damage, liability and insurance
The lead guest is responsible for damage caused by themselves, occupants, visitors and service providers brought onto the estate, unless it is proved that the cause is not attributable to them. Any incident, damage, breakdown or dangerous situation must be reported immediately so that its consequences can be limited.
The Operator is liable under applicable law for damage resulting from a breach attributable to it. Nothing in these GRT limits or excludes liability that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded, in particular for personal injury caused by the Operator’s fault.
The estate does not act as custodian of cash, jewellery, documents or other valuables unless safekeeping has been expressly agreed in writing. Vehicles and personal belongings remain the responsibility of their owners, without prejudice to the Operator’s liability in the event of proven fault.
Brief interruptions or interruptions outside the Operator’s reasonable control, including water, electricity, telecommunications or transport networks, do not automatically give rise to compensation. The Operator will nevertheless take reasonable measures to restore the service and offer an appropriate solution where the interruption substantially affects the stay.
13. Complaints and serious breaches
Any difficulty must be reported as soon as it is discovered to info@penedodobufo.com or to the contact provided for the stay, so that it can be checked and, where possible, corrected promptly. A written complaint after the stay must set out the facts and include relevant supporting material.
In the event of a serious or repeated breach of the contract or House Rules, danger to persons or property, significant nuisance, excess occupancy, unlawful activity or refusal to follow a safety instruction, the Operator may require the conduct to cease immediately. If the breach continues or justifies immediate intervention, the Operator may terminate the stay in accordance with proportionality and applicable law. The financial consequences will be determined by the actual loss suffered and mandatory rules.
14. Personal data
Personal data is processed in accordance with the Privacy Policy published on the website, including to respond to enquiries, manage the booking, perform the contract, issue invoices, organise the stay, comply with statutory guest-registration duties and maintain system security.
15. Consumer complaints and dispute resolution
The guest may use the Complaints Book available on the premises and the electronic Complaints Book. The guest may also contact the Algarve Consumer Information, Mediation and Arbitration Centre (CIMAAL), Avenida 5 de Outubro, No. 55, ground floor right, 8000-075 Faro, Portugal; info@consumoalgarve.pt; +351 289 823 135.
Online access: www.livroreclamacoes.pt and www.consumoalgarve.pt.
16. Governing law and jurisdiction
The contract is governed by Portuguese law. For a consumer resident in another country, this choice does not deprive the consumer of the protection of mandatory provisions applicable under private international law.
The competent courts are determined by applicable law. Consumers retain, in particular, the rights of action available under European Union law. For a business booking not governed by consumer law, the courts of the Faro judicial district, Loulé court, have jurisdiction unless a valid written agreement provides another method of dispute resolution.
17. Severability, amendment and applicable version
If a provision is held to be void, unenforceable or unfair, the remaining provisions remain in force to the extent permitted by law. Where possible, the affected provision will be replaced by a lawful provision that most closely reflects its purpose.
The Operator may amend the GRT for future bookings. The version applicable to a booking is the version communicated and accepted when the booking is made; it remains available on a durable medium with the confirmation.
