House Rules and Terms

§ 1 Scope

These terms and conditions apply to all bookings of the holiday apartment „Big Secret“ of Secret Islands made through the website secret-islands.de. Differing terms proposed by the guest are not accepted unless the provider expressly agrees to them in writing.

§ 2 Conclusion of contract

The presentation of the apartment and the prices on the website is not a binding offer. By submitting the booking form and confirming payment, the guest makes a binding offer to enter into a contract. The rental contract comes into effect when the booking confirmation reaches the guest by email.

Before submitting, the guest is shown the essential features of the service and the total price. The booking is triggered by the button expressly marked as such, „Payment obligation: book now“ (Section 312j(3) BGB, German Civil Code).

If payment is made by bank transfer, the booking is held for 3 days. If the payment does not arrive within that period, the provider may release the reservation and offer the date again.

At least twelve hours must lie between submitting the booking and the booked start, so that the apartment can be prepared.

§ 3 Minimum age

All guests present must be at least 18 years old. By booking, the guest confirms that everyone present is of age. The provider is entitled to ask for proof of age.

§ 4 Prices and payment

The prices shown on the website at the time of booking apply. All prices include statutory VAT:

• Overnight stays: 7 % VAT (Section 12(2) no. 11 UStG, German VAT Act)
• Hourly rental and additional services: 19 % VAT
• City tax of the city of Essen (Beherbergungssteuer): 5 % on rent, additional hours and additional guests, capped at 9 € per day. The guest owes this tax, the provider collects it and passes it on. It is shown separately and without VAT.

Payment is made by credit card or SEPA direct debit (Stripe), PayPal or bank transfer. The rent is payable in full in advance.

For bookings made less than three days in advance, the payment must arrive before the booking starts. Access is only provided once payment has arrived in full. With less than 24 hours' notice, a bank transfer is only suitable as an instant transfer.

§ 5 Access and keys

Once payment has arrived, the guest receives the access code by text message or WhatsApp to the phone number given in the booking form. There is no handover of keys in person. The exact address of the apartment is given to booked guests only.

§ 6 Arrival and departure times

For overnight stays: arrival from 3 pm, departure by 10 am. For hourly bookings: arrival time as agreed in the booking form. Arriving earlier or leaving later is possible only by prior arrangement and for an extra charge.

§ 7 Cancellation

Cancellations must be made in writing (email). The following terms apply:

• Up to 28 days before arrival: the rent paid is credited in full towards a later booking
• 15 to 27 days before arrival: 50 % is credited towards a later booking
• Less than 15 days before arrival: no credit, no refund

The guest may prove that the provider suffered no loss or a significantly smaller loss. In that case the amount retained is reduced accordingly. Likewise, the provider may prove a higher loss.

Credits must be used within 12 months. A booking can be transferred to other guests at any time, and in that case no cancellation fee applies.

§ 8 House rules

By booking, the guest accepts the house rules. In particular:

• The apartment may only be occupied by the number of people booked (6 people maximum)
• Smoking inside the apartment is strictly prohibited
• Pets are not allowed
• During quiet hours (10 pm to 7 am) noise must be avoided
• The apartment and the equipment provided must be treated with care
• Heavy soiling must be removed before departure, the final cleaning is included in the price

§ 9 What is included

The rent includes bed linen, towels, the final cleaning, water, tea, coffee and hygiene items. The extras that can be added (sex machine, Cowgirl, Venus 2000, garage) cost extra and are selected separately during booking.

§ 10 Guest liability and use of the equipment

The guest is liable under the statutory provisions for damage to the apartment, the furnishings and the equipment provided, caused culpably by the guest or by accompanying persons. Damage must be reported without delay.

For the equipment that can be added (sex machine, Cowgirl, Venus 2000), written operating and safety instructions are available in the apartment. The guest is obliged to read them in full before first use and to follow them. The equipment may be used only as intended and only by persons of age.

Whether and how the guest uses the furnishings is the guest's own decision and responsibility. There is no personal briefing on site. If anything about the operation is unclear, the guest can contact the provider before use.

The provider's liability is governed by § 11. Liability for injury to life, body and health remains unaffected.

§ 11 Provider liability

The provider is liable without limitation in cases of intent and gross negligence, for injury to life, body or health, and under the German Product Liability Act.

In cases of simple negligence, the provider is liable only for the breach of material contractual obligations, meaning obligations whose fulfilment makes the proper performance of the contract possible in the first place and on whose observance the guest may regularly rely. In such cases liability is limited to the foreseeable damage typical for this type of contract. There is no liability beyond that.

§ 12 Right of withdrawal

For contracts on the provision of accommodation for a specific date or period, there is no statutory right of withdrawal under Section 312g(2) no. 9 BGB. All bookings made through this website relate to a fixed date or period. Details are set out in the information on the right of withdrawal. Independently of this, the cancellation terms under § 7 apply.

§ 13 Data protection

Our privacy policy applies.

§ 14 Final provisions

The law of the Federal Republic of Germany applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. If the guest is a consumer resident in the European Union, mandatory consumer protection provisions of their country of residence remain unaffected.

If the guest is a merchant, a legal entity under public law or a special fund under public law, the place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from this contract is the registered seat of the provider. For consumers, the statutory places of jurisdiction apply.

Should individual provisions of these terms be invalid in whole or in part, the validity of the remaining provisions is not affected.

Version: August 2026