Terms of Service

1. Introduction

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the SeakingHoliday platform (“Platform”, “we”, “our”, or “us”).

By accessing or using SeakingHoliday, creating an account, or making a booking, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms.

Clicking “Book Now,” “Submit,” or any similar button on the Platform constitutes your electronic signature and your intent to be legally bound by these Terms.

If you do not agree, you must not use the Platform.

2. About SeakingHoliday

• Legal Name: SeakingHoliday
• Registered Location: Malé, Maldives
• Contact Email: contact@seakingholiday.com

SeakingHoliday is an online accommodation booking platform connecting users with guesthouses, hotels, resorts and other accommodation service providers.

A booking is booked in one of two ways

• Instant booking: you pay by card at checkout and the booking is confirmed immediately.
• Booking request: The supplier first confirms availability, then you pay by bank transfer or through card and we verify the payment.

The booking method for each property is shown before you book.

3. Platform Role

SeakingHoliday acts strictly as an intermediary platform.

We:

• Facilitate bookings between users and Suppliers
• Receive bank transfer payments on behalf of suppliers (Booking requests)
• Enable card payment through our booking partner (Instant booking)
• Provide booking and communication tools

We do not:

• Own, operate, or manage properties
• Guarantee accommodation quality or availability
• Act as the provider of accommodation services

The contract for accommodation is between you and the Supplier. For instant bookings, the terms of our booking partner and of the supplier shown at checkout also apply.

4. User Accounts

• Users must be 18 years or older
• Account registration is required to make bookings
• Users are responsible for maintaining account security and all activity under their account

Users are solely responsible for ensuring they possess valid travel documents, including:

• Passports
• Required visas

to enter the destination.

Failure to produce valid identification to a Supplier may result in:

• Refusal of check-in
• Cancellation of the booking without refund

We reserve the right to:

• Suspend or terminate accounts
• Restrict access in cases of misuse or fraud

5. Booking Process

5.1 Booking Flow

Booking requests follow this process

1. User submits booking request

2. Supplier confirms availability

3. User completes payment

4. SeakingHoliday verifies payment

5. Booking becomes confirmed

5.2 Instant Booking Flow

Instant bookings follow this process:

1. User selects a property and pays by card at checkout

2. Our booking partner confirms the booking

3. Booking is confirmed immediately

There is no supplier confirmation step and no bank transfer.

5.3 Confirmation

A booking is considered confirmed only when:

• Payment has been successfully verified
• A booking confirmation, invoice, or voucher is issued

An instant booking is considered confirmed when your card payment succeeds and the booking is accepted by our booking partner. A confirmation is shown to you immediately.

6. Payments

6.1 Payment Method

We offer two payment methods:

• Card: You pay at checkout in a secure payment form operated by our booking partner. Your card is charged immediately. SeakingHoliday does not see or store your card details.
• Bank transfer: For selected property payments, you pay to SeakingHoliday after the supplier confirms availability. We verify the payment before the booking is confirmed.

Additional payment methods may be introduced in the future

6.2 Payment Verification

Booking requests are confirmed only after payment verification.

Invalid, incomplete, or fraudulent payments may result in:

• Booking cancellation
• Account suspension

If:

• Incorrect amount is paid
• Payment is not received within the required timeframe
• Invalid proof is submitted

The booking will remain unconfirmed and may be cancelled

6.3 Payment Processing & Availability Risk

Due to the nature of bank transfers, there may be a delay between a User initiating payment and SeakingHoliday verifying receipt.

During this period:

• Availability is not guaranteed until payment is verified
• Suppliers may modify or release availability

SeakingHoliday is not responsible for bookings that become unavailable during the payment processing period.

If a property becomes unavailable before payment is verified, SeakingHoliday may, at its discretion:

• Offer alternative accommodation, or
• Provide a refund of any verified payment received

6.4 Card payments

If your card payment fails, no booking is made. if your payment suceeds but the booking cannot be completed, the payment will be released or refunded to your card.

7. Pricing, Currency & Taxes

Prices may be displayed in USD and/or MVR

Applicable charges may include:

• TGST
• Green Tax
• Service charges

Instant bookings: prices are shown in USD and include the taxes and fees stated at checkout. Any taxes or fees payable at the property are shown separately at checkout and are not included in the amount you pay us.

7.1 Currency & Exchange

Users are responsible for:

• Exchange rate differences
• Bank transfer and processing fees
• Currency conversion and foreign transaction fees charged by your card issuer

Refund amounts may vary due to:

• Exchange rate fluctuations
• Third-party banking charges

7.2 Pricing Errors

SeakingHoliday reserves the right to:

• Correct pricing errors
• Cancel affected bookings
• Require rebooking at the correct price

8. Availability & Expiry

Booking requests: availability confirmation are time-limited.

If payment is not completed within 48 hours:

• The booking may be marked unavailable
• The reservation may be released

Instant bookings: rates are held only for a short time during checkout and may change if you wait. The price and cancellation terms shown at the moment you pay are the ones that apply.

9. Cancellation & Refunds

All cancellations and refunds are governed by the

General Cancellation Policy here

Key principles include:

• Unpaid bookings requests → free cancellation
• Paid bookings → subject to applicable policies
• Property-specific policies take precedence for instant bookings, these are the cancellation terms shown at checkout.

For instant bookings, any refund is the amount returned by our booking partner under the cancellation terms shown at checkout, paid to your card.

9.1 Refund Deductions

In the event of a refund, SeakingHoliday reserves the right to deduct:

• Non-refundable bank transfer or payment processing fees
• Reasonable administrative processing fees incurred in handling the booking and refund

Such deductions will be applied in accordance with applicable laws and the terms of the booking.

Instant Bookings: SeakingHoliday does not deduct an administrative fee. The refund is the amount returned by our booking partner.

10. Supplier Responsibility

Suppliers are solely responsible for:

• Accommodation quality
• Listing accuracy
• Availability
• Service delivery

SeakingHoliday does not guarantee:

• Accuracy of property descriptions or images
• Condition or quality of accommodation

Property images and descriptions are provided by Suppliers and are intended to be representative only.

Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, and views may vary.

10.1 Guest Count Accuracy

Users are responsible for ensuring that the number of guests specified in the booking is accurate.

Any additional guests (including children) not declared at the time of booking may:

• Be refused by the Supplier, or
• Be subject to additional charges

Such charges are determined by the Supplier and must be paid directly at the property.

11. Transfers & Third-Party Services

11.1 Guest Responsibility

All transportation to and from the accommodation (including but not limited to seaplanes, speedboats, domestic flights, or ferries) is the sole responsibility of the User.

11.2 No Agency

SeakingHoliday does not manage, or guarantee any transportation services.

Any transport-related information provided on the Platform is for informational purposes only and may be subject to change.

11.3 Non-Refundable Transport Events

Transport disruptions, cancellations, or delays—regardless of cause, including:

• Weather conditions
• Mechanical failure
• Carrier scheduling

do not entitle the User to:

• Refund
• Booking modification
• Compensation

11.4 Missed Connections & No-Show

If a User is unable to reach the property due to transport-related issues, the booking will be treated as a No-Show under the Supplier’s policy.

While such disruptions are acknowledged, they are considered third-party events and do not alter cancellation terms unless explicitly stated by the Supplier.

11.5 Travel Advisory

Users are strongly advised to coordinate arrival times with the Supplier or a professional transport provider prior to payment.

Travel within the destination is subject to:

• Weather conditions
• Operational limitations
• Daylight restrictions

Failure to arrange transport properly may result in missed check-in and will be treated under applicable cancellation policies.

12. No-Show & Arrival Responsibility

Failure to arrive on the check-in date is considered a No-Show.

No-Shows are subject to a 100% cancellation fee of the total booking value, unless otherwise specified by the Supplier’s specific cancellation policy.

Users are responsible for:

• Arrival timing
• Travel arrangements

13. Fraud & Misuse

SeakingHoliday reserves the right to:

• Cancel bookings without notice
• Suspend or block accounts
• Withhold refunds where legally permitted

This applies in cases of:

• Fraudulent payment receipts
• Unauthorized transactions
• Abuse of the platform

14. Platform Rights

We may:

• Cancel bookings due to: fraud, pricing errors or supplier inability to fulfill
• Modify or discontinue platform features
• Update these Terms at any time

15. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, SeakingHoliday is not liable for:

• Supplier failures or service issues
• Inaccurate listings or property conditions
• Travel disruptions or missed connections
• Transfer-related issues
• Platform downtime or technical errors
• Indirect or consequential losses

Specific Exclusion:

SeakingHoliday is not liable for any costs, damages, or “loss of enjoyment” claims resulting from third-party transport failures.

16. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless SeakingHoliday, its directors, employees, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Platform
• Your breach of these Terms
• Violation of any law
• Infringement of third-party rights

17. Force Majeure

SeakingHoliday is not liable for events beyond its control, including:

• Natural disasters
• Government restrictions
• Flight disruptions
• Emergencies

Such situations are handled in accordance with the Cancellation Policy.

18. Communications

By using the Platform, you agree to receive:

• Booking-related emails
• Transactional notifications

19. Intellectual Property

• Platform design, branding, and systems belong to SeakingHoliday
• Suppliers retain ownership of their content

20. Privacy & Cookies

Use of the Platform is also governed by:

Privacy Policy here

Cookie Policy here

21. Dispute Resolution

SeakingHoliday acts as a facilitator in disputes.

All decisions consider:

• Booking terms
• Supplier policies
• Maldivian law

If unresolved:

• Disputes fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Maldives
• Arbitration may be used where applicable

22. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Maldives.

23. Final Provisions

• If any provision is invalid, the remaining Terms remain enforceable
• These Terms constitute the full agreement
• Continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of updates