Part 1: General Provisions
1. Scope
These General Terms and Conditions (GTC) govern the legal relationship between the customers, hereinafter referred to as guests, and Hotel & Eventcenter Der Meilenstein GmbH. Where the term guest is used below, the female form is also included. The GTC apply to all contracts for overnight accommodation services and/or events, including related services. For simplicity, these GTC always refer to a contract regardless of the service concerned. The contracting parties are the guest and Hotel & Eventcenter Der Meilenstein GmbH. Should individual provisions of these GTC be invalid or void, this shall not affect the validity of the contract and the remaining GTC provisions. The place of jurisdiction for any disputes arising from this contract is Langenthal, unless another legally mandatory place of jurisdiction applies. Swiss law exclusively applies to all contracts, reservations, any additional agreements and the general conditions. Place of performance and payment is Langenthal.
2. Conclusion of contract
The contract for the rental of rooms and other areas within the hotel as well as outdoor areas belonging to the hotel property, and for the provision of other deliveries and services, is concluded with the guest's written confirmation. Documents transmitted electronically, such as emails and online-generated forms, also count as written confirmations. The agreed services are legally binding on the hotel, including all catering facilities, and on the guest in every respect.
3. Prices
The prices communicated by the GmbH are in Swiss Francs (CHF). Any increase in statutory charges after conclusion of the contract shall be borne by the guest.
4. Payment terms
4.1. Advance payment for events
For events, and deviating from clause 4.2, an advance payment of 50% of the total amount of the booked services confirmed at that time is due no later than 28 calendar days prior to the start of the event.
The basis for calculating the advance payment is the services contractually agreed or confirmed at that time according to the order confirmation.
The advance payment will be fully credited to the final invoice. Any additional services booked later or consumed during the event will be invoiced with the final invoice.
The advance payment is considered made only upon full receipt of payment in the bank account specified by the Hotel & Eventcenter der Meilenstein GmbH.
If the advance payment is not made within the agreed payment period, the client will receive a payment reminder with a reasonable grace period.
If the advance payment is still not made in full within this grace period, Hotel & Eventcenter der Meilenstein GmbH is entitled to withdraw from the contract with immediate effect and to release all reserved rooms and services.
The obligation to pay already owed amounts as well as the agreed cancellation conditions remain unaffected. Hotel & Eventcenter der Meilenstein GmbH reserves the right to claim further provable damages.
All payments must be made to the bank account stated on the invoice of Hotel & Eventcenter der Meilenstein GmbH, quoting the relevant booking, contract or event number.
4.2. Payment deadlines
All invoices must be paid within 10 days.
If a due WIR payment is not settled on time, the following applies: «If the claim is not settled in WIR within 7 days of receipt of the reminder, the WIR amount is fully due in CHF (converted at a 1:1 ratio from CHW to CHF).» – according to point C.9 «Due date and reminder» in: «Conditions of participation in the WIR network.», May 2024.
4.3. Final invoice
The final invoice includes the agreed price plus any additional amounts resulting from extra services provided by the hotel and all catering facilities for the guest and/or accompanying persons. The final invoice must be paid at the latest on the occasion of check-out on the day of departure in Swiss Francs in cash or by an accepted debit or credit card. Invoices sent by arrangement must be settled within 10 days of the invoice date. The full billing address must be provided when making the definitive reservation. The guest is liable for any unpaid bills of individual participants. No discounts or cash discounts will be granted on the amount due.
5. Options, offers
The acceptance periods for offers from Hotel & Eventcenter Der Meilenstein GmbH are specified in the respective offer. After that, the hotel is no longer bound by the offer. Option dates are binding for both parties. Hotel & Eventcenter Der Meilenstein GmbH may, after expiration of the option period/offer without use, dispose of the offered services without further notice.
Part 2: Additional terms and conditions for overnight stays
6. Reservation, arrival and departure
A reservation made on the day of arrival becomes binding at the moment the hotel accepts it. If upon arrival the booked room category is not available for unforeseen reasons, the guest will be assigned a room in the next higher category. If, despite a confirmed reservation, no rooms are available in the hotel, the hotel must offer the guest an equivalent replacement in a nearby hotel of a comparable or higher category. Any additional expenses for the replacement accommodation shall be borne by the hotel. If the guest rejects the replacement room, the hotel must promptly refund services already provided by the guest (e.g. deposits). No further claims by the guest shall arise. Unless otherwise agreed, the guest has the right to use the rented rooms from 15.00 Uhr on the agreed day of arrival until 11.00 Uhr on the day of departure. If the guest departs early, the hotel is entitled to charge 100% of the total booked services. The hotel room is reserved exclusively for the registered guest or registered guests. Handing over the room to a third person or use by an additional person requires the hotel's approval. The scope of the contract is determined by the guest's individually made and confirmed reservation. The client may use the rooms only for the agreed purpose.
7. Cancellation and rebooking
For a reservation of 1 to 9 hotel rooms, cancellation is free of charge up to 24 hours before arrival. The calculation is made retrospectively from the possible check-in time. For later cancellations or no-shows (guest does not arrive), the costs for the entire stay will be charged. If the booking guest registers additional guests, they are liable for the entire invoice amount arising from the reservation. Exceptions to these cancellation charges, e.g. during trade fairs or on dates defined by the hotel, are to be found in the booking confirmation.
Part 3: Additional terms and conditions for events
8. Definition, cancellation and rebooking
Events include, in particular, seminars, congresses, banquets, conferences, weddings, workshops, etc. Changes in the number of participants as well as the name list for hotel overnight stays must be notified to the hotel in advance in compliance with the following deadlines:
Bookings < 40 persons = 5 days before event start
Bookings 41-99 persons = 7 days before event start
Bookings > 100 persons = 14 days before event start
If the actual number of persons is subsequently lower, the stated guaranteed number applies as the basis for billing; otherwise billing will be based on the actual number of participants. In this case the hotel does not guarantee accommodation for additional participants. Contract changes become binding for the hotel only through a written reconfirmation. Unilateral changes or additions to the contract by the guest are ineffective.
Cancellations must be made by telephone or email. Hotel & Eventcenter Der Meilenstein GmbH is entitled to charge the booked services in whole or in part. If the event cannot take place for reasons attributable to the organizer, the following cancellation fees are due, depending on the date the cancellation is received:
Bookings < 40 persons
up to 31 days before the start of the event = free cancellation
30 days - 14 days before the start of the event = 50% of the agreed services
13 days - 5 days before the start of the event = 80% of the agreed services
from 4 days before the start of the event = 100% of the agreed services
Bookings 41 – 99 persons
up to 62 days before the start of the event = free cancellation
61 days - 31 days before the start of the event = 50% of the agreed services
30 days - 14 days before the start of the event = 80% of the agreed services
from 13 days before the start of the event = 100% of the agreed services
Bookings > 100 persons
up to 120 days before the start of the event = free cancellation
119 days - 90 days before the start of the event = 25% of the agreed services
89 days - 60 days before the start of the event = 50% of the agreed services
40 days - 31 days before the start of the event = 80% of the agreed listings
from 30 days before the start of the event = 100% of the agreed services
If no F&B services are defined in the contract, a minimum amount of CHF 50.00 per person will be set.
9. Start/end of the event
If the agreed start and end times of the event on the day of the event are changed, the hotel may charge for costs incurred as a result. This does not apply if the hotel is responsible for the change. The amount invoiced must be paid without deduction. No discounts or cash discounts will be granted on the amount due.
10. Food and beverages
The guest or the organizer undertakes to obtain food and beverages exclusively from the hotel and its catering facilities. The sale of food and beverages is reserved exclusively to the hotel.
11. Extension
If an event lasts longer than 24:00 Uhr, a night surcharge must be paid. The extension must be reported to the responsible Event or Hotel contact no later than 1 Monat before the event. Extensions up to a maximum of 03.00 Uhr will be charged at an extra CHF 250.00 per hour; the last hour (02:00 - 03:00 Uhr) at CHF 350.00 per hour. These amounts already include fees related to extensions of the police curfew.
12. Other services
If the guest requests services not provided by the hotel itself, the hotel acts only as an intermediary. The requested services must be settled directly with the service provider. The hotel assumes no liability under any legal title for services it has merely arranged for the guest.
Technical equipment not available at the hotel may be rented upon request. External costs will be charged to the organizer. The organizer is responsible for the correct use and proper return of all technical equipment or facilities.
13. Event procedure
Outside the rented rooms, reception tables, advertising material, banners etc. may only be set up in consultation with the hotel. Public areas of the hotel may not be used for group work. Such activities must take place in the agreed group rooms.
The organizer undertakes to comply with the hotel's fire safety regulations, in particular to keep escape routes clear, and warrants that all materials brought in comply with fire safety guidelines. The use of flammable objects is strictly prohibited.
14. Deliveries and pickups
Deliveries and pickups for events must be coordinated with the hotel and notified to the hotel in writing well in advance, at least before their arrival. The hotel reserves the right to reject consignments without a sender or valid addressee. Any resulting obligation or liability is rejected by the hotel. Shipments must be correctly addressed, including details of the event. Shipping costs, customs fees and VAT for incoming packages are not paid by the hotel. If this is not observed, acceptance may be refused.
Part 4: Additional terms and conditions for groups
15. Definition
Groups within the meaning of these GTC are room reservations with a minimum of 10 booked rooms.
16. Name list
The final name list of each member of the respective group must be communicated to the hotel at least 14 Kalendertage before arrival.
17. Cancellation and rebooking
Cancellation is free of charge up to 31 days (calendar days) before arrival. For a later cancellation the following billing applies:
30 - 21 days before arrival: 50% of the remaining rooms free of charge
20 - 11 days before arrival: 25% of the remaining rooms free of charge
10 - 5 days before arrival: 10% of the remaining rooms free of charge
From 4 days before arrival: remaining rooms will be charged at 100%
Part 5: Further provisions
18. Right of withdrawal
The hotel is entitled at any time, for objectively justified reasons, to withdraw extraordinarily and with immediate effect from the contract by immediate unilateral written declaration. Objectively justified reasons include, for example:
an agreed advance payment or security deposit is not made in full despite a payment reminder and a reasonable grace period;
Force majeure or other circumstances not attributable to the hotel that make performance of the contract objectively impossible;
Rooms or spaces that are booked or used under misleading or false information, e.g. regarding the identity of the guest or the intended use or purpose of the stay;
the hotel has justified reason to assume that the use of the agreed services may impair the smooth operation of the business, the safety of other hotel guests or the reputation of the hotel;
the guest has become insolvent (bankruptcy or fruitless seizure) or has ceased payments;
the purpose or occasion of the stay is unlawful.
In the event of withdrawal by the hotel for the aforementioned reasons, the guest shall have no claim for damages and compensation for the booked services shall generally remain due.
19. Internet
The hotel provides the guest with free internet access (WLAN). The guest is responsible for the use of the login data and is liable for misuse and illegal conduct when using the internet.
20. Smoking
Smoking is permitted only in the Cigar Lounge and in the Smokers Lounge. In case of violation, an amount of CHF 350.– will be charged.
21. Liability
Personal items brought along are at the guest's risk in the rooms or on the hotel premises. The hotel does not assume any duty of supervision or safekeeping. The hotel accepts no liability for loss or damage to brought items, except in cases of gross negligence or intent by the hotel. Insurance of brought items is the responsibility of the guest. If valuables such as jewellery, cash or securities are not handed over to the hotel for safekeeping, the hotel's liability is excluded to the extent permitted by law.
The hotel excludes liability towards the guest for slight and moderate negligence to the extent permitted by law and is only liable for damage caused intentionally or by gross negligence. Should disruptions or defects occur in the hotel's services, the hotel will endeavour, upon immediate notification by the guest, to remedy the situation. If the guest fails to notify the hotel of a defect in good time, there is no claim for reduction of the contractually agreed remuneration. The guest is liable to the hotel for all damage and losses caused by him, his companions or assistants, without the hotel having to prove fault on the part of the guest. The guest is liable for services and expenses incurred by the hotel vis-à-vis third parties. If a third party makes the booking for the guest, they are jointly and severally liable with the guest to the hotel as the booker for all obligations arising from the contract. Independently of this, each booker is obliged to provide all booking-relevant information.
22. Animals
Animals may only be brought into the hotel with the hotel's prior consent and against a special charge of CHF 15.– per day. The guest who brings an animal into the hotel is obliged to keep and supervise the animal properly during his stay or to have it kept/supervised at his expense by a suitable third party. Costs to remedy damage caused by the animal are borne by the guest. For food hygiene reasons, animals may not be brought into the public restaurants.
23. Lost property
Lost property will be forwarded when ownership is clear and the home or business address is known. The costs and risk for re-shipment are borne by the guest.
24. Media
Advertisements in media (such as newspapers, radio, television, internet) using the company logo or photos require the hotel's prior written consent.