Frequently Asked Questions

Firstly, if you know where you want to go, you can search by destination through the top navigation which offers searches by continents. Or you can use the search boxes to further define your search by country and then region.

Secondly, you can search by hotel name, so you can type in any hotel name you would like to see if it is featured on our site.

Thirdly, by using our collection heading you can search by beach chic, country chic, city chic, hide & chic (off the beaten track) and other collections.

How do I view information on a property?

Once you have selected a country a list of hotel options appear. You will see one for each hotel overview, a short overview and a starting rate. To learn more about the hotel and see a good selection of colour photographs, click on the hotel you are looking for – this then takes you through to the hotel page which gives you a selection of photos and full description.

Are there last-minute deals available?

Yes, but Chic Retreats is not a 'last-minute' site. We publish a selection of special offers on an ongoing basis most of which are valid for a few months. The offers are updated on a regular basis. You should also bear in mind that we do not sell flights or packages. If you need to book a flight, you can contact Sonny Tanna's team on + 44 (0) 20 7204 6637 who will book you the best value flights and car hire worldwide.

Do any of your properties have kids clubs?

No. Our hotels are too small to have kids clubs (most less than 30 rooms). Many of our Chic Retreats warmly welcome children of all ages. Others only accept children over 12 and some do not accept children. Those that do accept children can be found under family friendly. We do have some such as Country Kids which is fantastic both for parents and young children – full time crèche, babysitting etc all included.

Can Chic Retreats help with anniversaries, weddings, special events, honeymoons etc ?

Of course. As most of our boutique hotels, B&Bs and luxury villas have less than 30 rooms, many of them are perfect for these types of celebrations, though due to their size early booking is always recommended for special occasions. We can advise on which would be most suitable. Some of our favourite romantic boutique hotels are Jardins Secrets, Vila Joya and Borgo Santo Pietro.

Can any Chic Retreats be taken over exclusively?

Absolutely. Some of our properties are already exclusive villa rentals eg. Burggraaf and Voltaire. Some of our boutique hotels prefer exclusive rental and others would be delighted to accommodate requests (eg. Le Logis de Puygaty, Trasierra etc). As most of our boutique hotels and B&Bs have less than 30 rooms, many of them are perfect for rental, though due to their size early booking is always recommended.

How do I book a through Chic Retreats?

Once you have chosen your hotel and your dates, you will need to go through and click on the ‘check availability’ button which will take you through the booking process.

Some requests will be sent straight to the hotel who will respond directly to you. Others will be sent directly to our reservations team who will reply directly to you.

To confirm a reservation, more often than not a deposit will be required and you will be asked to provide your credit card details to secure the reservation. Your reservation is considered confirmed when the hotel or Chic Retreats acknowledges receipt of your reservation deposit.

We are on hand to help make any suggestions and reservations for you on + 44 (0) 20 7307 2797

Surely I would pay less if I contacted the hotel directly?

No. The small chic hotels and luxury villas are contractually obliged to quote the same price as if you contacted them directly. For GBP 20.00 you can become a member of Chic Retreats which includes our stunning book. Once you have your Chic Retreats membership card you will have access to many preferential rates and benefits offered to all Chic Retreats members (on presentation of your card at the hotel).

We try offer value for money but small and special hotels rarely have a problem filling their rooms which is why early booking is recommended. We are not a tour operator and therefore do not do package deals. Chic Retreats has found that with small hotels and luxury villas, it can often be substantially cheaper to book flights and accommodation separately.

How soon will I receive a reply to my enquiry?

If your enquiry has been sent direct to the hotel, you should receive a reply well within 24 hours.

Can I contact you if there is a problem with my booking?

Of course you can. Our reservations number is + 44 (0) 20 7307 2797 or you can email them on reservations@chicretreats.com

Will I receive written confirmation of my reservation?

Yes. Once the hotel or our reservations team have confirmed receipt of your deposit, you will be provided with a summary of your booking.

Can you arrange flights, transfers, car hire, insurance, etc. for me?

We do not arrange or reserve any travel (air, land or sea) to any destination or particular accommodation. However we work very closely with World Options (part of Dialaflight) who can help with flights, trains and hire car if departing from the UK. The team is headed up by Sonny Tanna who has been in the travel business for over 25 years. They can be reached on + 44 (0) 20 7204 6637.

Can I book if I live outside the UK?

Anyone can use and book accommodation through our website as long as you have a valid, recognisable credit card with which to guarantee the booking and make any deposit if required.

Is Chic Retreats exclusively for members?

No, anyone can use our website. However if you are a member you will have access to many preferential rates and benefits at all of our hotels. Yearly membership also includes our book and costs GBP 20.

Join Chic Retreats now!

Why do I have to give my address and contact details?

When making a reservation, the hotel may need to contact you directly to make any final arrangements. Your personal information is stored for your convenience so you won’t have to re-enter that information each time you make a reservation. We will not pass this information on to any other third parties. (see our terms and conditions)

What forms of payment are accepted?

This depends mainly on the hotel you are booking. Many hotels require a deposit to be paid, which is usually charged to your credit card. Some smaller hotels and most rental properties require a deposit to be paid by bank transfer or cheque within 3 days of making a reservation. In Morocco credit card payments incur a very high charge and so many hotels prefer a bank transfer. In such cases they will inform you of the payment details. In all cases your credit card details are needed to initially guarantee your reservation.

Who has access to my credit card details?

Your credit card details are sent to the hotel to confirm the reservation.

Are the quoted prices per person or per room and are they inclusive of taxes and surcharges?

Most of the rates displayed on the website are per room per night unless otherwise specified. The rates will state if taxes, service and breakfast are included. Boutique hotels in France tend to charge an additional amount for breakfast anywhere between 10 and 20 EUR.

If I need to cancel my booking, do I have to pay a cancellation fee/forfeit my deposit?

If you decide to cancel your reservation, you should notify reservations as soon as possible or if you booked with the hotel contact them as soon as possible. If cancellation is made within the hotels cancellation period then most of the time no charge is made, however the cancellation policies vary from hotel to hotel so please take care to read them at the time of booking.

The amount of any cancellation charge/refund depends on the cancellation policy of the individual hotel or villa, which is stated clearly at the time of making your booking.

The more notice you give, the less you will be charged. We strongly advise that you take out personal travel insurance at the time of booking, as depending on the reason for your cancellation, you may be covered by your insurance policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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