1. About these Terms
These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the Highland Destinations website and the group-travel marketplace operated by Highland Destinations LLC (“Highland Destinations,” “HD,” “we,” or “us”). When you book a trip, you and your group (the “Group”) sign a per-trip Service Agreement that incorporates these Terms in full. In the event of any conflict between these Terms and a signed Service Agreement, the Service Agreement controls for that booking.
2. Highland Destinations is a Booking Service, not a Vendor
Highland Destinations is an independent travel and event booking service company and not an employee, agent, partner, or representative of any third party suppliers including, but not limited to, hotels, resorts, homeowners rental properties, venues, transportation, or other rental companies. HD does not own, manage, operate, supervise, or control any mode of transportation (including, but not limited to, taxis, buses, or airplanes), overnight lodging properties (hotels, resorts, vacation homes, villas, or apartments), venues (bars, restaurants, and entertainment / meeting spaces), or any other entity that supplies services related to your group's trip. The suppliers providing services to the Group and its travelers are independent contractors and are not agents, partners, or employees of HD.
3. Bookings and Payments
3.1 Quote, lock, and acceptance
Highland Destinations issues a written quote that becomes binding when the Group signs a Service Agreement and pays the deposit specified in that agreement. The contract must be signed by an authorized member of the Group who can legally bind the Group, its members, and guests.
3.2 Payment schedule
Each Service Agreement specifies a payment schedule including a deposit and a final balance with due dates. Payment dates are of the essence and must be made according to schedule. If payments are not made timely, the contract shall be deemed null and void at the sole discretion of HD and funds already paid will be retained as damages to HD. If the Group fails to make payments as outlined, the Group will forfeit the lodging(s) and venue(s) reservations and all payments will be forfeited.
3.3 Late fees
At the sole discretion of HD, a late fee may be applied if the Group does not follow the payment structure set forth in the Service Agreement.
3.4 Taxes and fees
The Group understands that HD has no control over local, state, or federal taxes including sales tax, hotel occupancy taxes / fees, set gratuity amounts, or other fees established by outside events, hotels, venues, or transportation companies. Contracts and quotes are based upon the applicable taxes and fees at the time travel is booked. In the unlikely event that state or local sales or occupancy taxes / fees increase after signing but before the travel dates, the Group agrees to reimburse HD for any additional monies HD may be charged by the hotel and / or venue.
4. Refunds and Cancellation
Highland Destinations' refund and cancellation policy is summarized below and stated in full on our Refund & Cancellation Policy page.
All monies paid to Highland Destinations are non-refundable unless by express written approval from HD. HD reserves the right to determine whether a customer is entitled to a refund — partial, full, or none — at its sole discretion. Refunds approved by HD are processed within 60 days following the contracted check-out date.
If a Group cancels at any time after entering a Service Agreement, the Group will not receive any refund for any deposit paid and will also be liable for the balance of the entire package price immediately upon cancellation.
Security deposits required by third-party suppliers are governed by those suppliers' own policies and refunded within 60 days of check-out if the property is left in satisfactory condition. The third-party supplier — not Highland Destinations — makes that determination.
5. Cancellation by Highland Destinations or a Third Party Supplier
If a third-party supplier cancels the reservation for any reason and returns the amount paid to HD for that booking, HD will make every reasonable effort to locate a substitute property or venue. If that is not possible, HD will return the recovered amount to the Group within 60 days of the contracted check-out date. If no refund is recovered from the supplier, the Group agrees to indemnify and hold HD harmless from any and all claims, damages, and causes of action related to that loss.
If a third-party supplier, through its own act, omission, or negligence, or by Act of God, cannot supply the property or event as agreed, HD is not liable for any damages relating to such actions or failure to act. This may include cancellations by suppliers for any reason including weather, labor issues, property maintenance, or overbooking.
6. Lodging and Venue Conduct
The Group and attending guests agree to conduct themselves in a manner that is reasonable and appropriate, as determined by the lodging or venue at its sole discretion, and in full compliance with all applicable laws, codes, rules, and regulations. In the event that any venue / event space or lodging area sustains property damage, some or all of the Group's security deposit may be forfeited and the Group may be subject to additional claims. Quiet hours are set by the lodging accommodations provider, and excessive noise or room complaints may result in removal of the Group from the property and / or forfeiture of some or all of the security deposit.
7. Liquor and Age Restrictions
Each venue (the “Venue”) reserves the right to refuse the service of alcoholic beverages to any person at any time, including but not limited to guests who are unable to produce a valid 21+ ID as proof of age, or if any person appears to be under the influence of alcohol or unlawful substances. Venues have the right to remove any such person from the venue at any time. Where an event is held outside the United States, the legal drinking age is determined by the governing local legislation.
8. Damages, Costs, and Indemnification
The Group agrees to cover and / or reimburse HD for all damages, costs, losses, attorneys' fees, and expenses HD may incur from the Group's conduct, including damages to any property or venues booked for the Group as well as any incidentals incurred by the Group, its members, or guests that are not specifically included in the Service Agreement.
HD will not be responsible for the cost of any attorneys' fees or costs in the event that any legal action is taken against the Group, its members, or guests for property damages, other injuries, or losses, or against HD arising out of a Service Agreement. The Group agrees to indemnify and hold harmless HD from all causes of action and damages.
9. General Release of Liability
The Group acknowledges that hosting events and trips may involve certain risks and dangers to its members and guests due to the inherent nature of such events, with large crowds in a celebratory atmosphere which can possibly result in personal injuries, death, property damage, and other losses. HD is not responsible for any injuries related to the consumption of personal alcohol or any substances, or for personal conduct, whether legal or illegal. The Group agrees to exercise caution and take all safety measures to minimize risks and understands that HD is not responsible for the personal conduct and decisions of any travelers.
In consideration for booking the trip, the Group — including its members, guests, heirs, assigns, and estates — releases, indemnifies, and holds harmless Highland Destinations LLC and its agents, employees, representatives, affiliates, and officers from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, or expenses arising from the booked trip / events, including attorneys' fees.
The Group, its members, and guests agree that HD has no obligation, duty, or way to maintain or manage any of the properties or events that it books for clients. Such properties and venues are owned, managed, and maintained by third-party suppliers / vendors. Neither HD nor its employees, agents, affiliates, officers, or representatives are liable for the acts, errors, omissions, intentional acts, representations, warranties, breaches, or negligence of any third-party supplier or vendor for any personal injuries suffered (including death) or other damages or losses sustained as a result of the action or inactions of suppliers, vendors, or individual members or guests of the Group.
10. Transportation
When transportation is included in a booking, ground transportation is limited to the specified pickup and destination locations (and return). Additional transportation requested or required will be subject to additional charges. Fuel surcharges levied by a transportation company are due and payable by the Group in addition to amounts otherwise owed.
If transportation is delayed or canceled due to reasons beyond HD's control — including strikes, labor disputes, vehicular accidents, weather, road repairs, mechanical breakdown, government action, or similar events — HD is not responsible for any damages or losses, including missed events. HD will use reasonable efforts to book alternate transportation of equal or greater value, but in no event will HD be liable for punitive or consequential damages, personal injuries, or other losses associated with transportation issues.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed on the vehicle. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and other prohibited products are not allowed on the vehicle. The Group agrees to leave the interior of the vehicle in the same condition as when they arrived. If the Group does not abide by this requirement, the Group agrees to pay the company's cleaning fee of up to $750 per vehicle unless actual damages are incurred, in which case the Group is liable for those damages.
The Group agrees to respect the vehicle operator's decisions regarding road conditions, equipment, and safety — including the federal hours-of-service limits that govern how long a commercial operator may remain on duty and driving — and is solely responsible for any items lost during transportation.
11. Rooming List, Reservations, and Room Reduction
A rooming list detailing the persons staying in each hotel room (or house, if applicable) shall be provided to Highland Destinations at least 35 days prior to the Group's arrival date, unless a different window is specified in the Service Agreement. Failure to timely provide a rooming list may result in the supplier releasing some or all of the lodging booked, and may change room accommodations.
No reservations will be accepted by the hotel from individuals. The Group must submit a complete rooming list including each person's first and last name, email address, and accommodation type by the deadline in the Service Agreement.
The Group may reduce the number of rooms by up to 20% per night by emailing its operations representative no later than 35 days prior to the first day of the trip. Reductions are finalized only upon written confirmation from HD.
12. No Outside Food and Beverage
The Group and its members understand that outside food and beverage are prohibited on certain properties and venues. It is the responsibility of the Group to check the rules and regulations of each property prior to arrival. Where prohibited, this may include all food and beverage boxes, bags, or other containers.
13. Insurance
The Group understands that it is in their interest to seek out liability insurance and / or travel insurance to protect them from general liability.
14. Exclusivity and Non-Circumvention
The Group agrees that without Highland Destinations' prior written consent, neither the Group nor any of its members or contractors will directly or indirectly solicit, contact, negotiate with, or form any agreements with the venue or hotel, or any person associated with or employed by the venue or hotel, regarding the event — instead, all such activities will be conducted through Highland Destinations. This is a material term of every Service Agreement.
15. Complimentary Items
Any complimentary items provided are optional, unpaid additions offered solely to enhance the Group's experience. These items are not included in the paid package and carry no monetary value. Under no circumstances may the Group hold Highland Destinations LLC liable for any issues, dissatisfaction, or damages related to complimentary items.
16. Amendments and Severability
A Service Agreement can be amended or modified only in writing, executed by all parties. If any provision of these Terms or a Service Agreement is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.
17. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and any Service Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Pennsylvania. Any disputes arising from these Terms or any Service Agreement shall be resolved exclusively in the State or federal courts located in Pennsylvania.
18. Contact
Questions about these Terms can be directed to legal@grouphop.io.