By completing a reservation for Tortuga Inn, the primary guest acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to the following Terms, House Rules & Cancellation Policy on behalf of themselves and all members of their party.
For reservations made through Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, or another third-party platform, the applicable platform's cancellation, payment, refund, and other mandatory policies will also apply. Where a platform policy conflicts with these terms, the platform's applicable policy will control.
1. Reservation, Payment & Guest Requirements
- A reservation is considered confirmed only after all required payments have been successfully processed, the required rental agreement has been completed, and a booking confirmation has been issued.
- The primary booking guest must be 25 years of age or older, unless otherwise approved in writing.
- The primary guest must be present at the property for the duration of the reservation.
- The primary guest is responsible for the conduct of all occupants, visitors, children, and pets associated with the reservation.
- The reservation may not be transferred or assigned to another person without prior written approval.
- The maximum overnight occupancy is 16 guests and may not be exceeded without prior written approval.
2. Rental Agreement Requirement
For direct reservations, the primary guest must complete and electronically sign the rental agreement before check-in.
The rental agreement must be completed by the deadline communicated after booking.
Failure to complete required documentation may result in delayed access to the property or cancellation of the reservation in accordance with the applicable cancellation policy.
The person signing the rental agreement must be the primary guest named on the reservation.
3. Security Deposit
Direct bookings require a $1,000 security deposit or security authorization, unless otherwise stated at the time of booking.
The security deposit may be used toward charges resulting from:
- Damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- Missing or damaged property.
- Excessive cleaning.
- Smoking or vaping violations.
- Unauthorized guests or pets.
- Damage to pool, spa, landscaping, appliances, furnishings, or equipment.
- Violation of house rules.
- Municipal fines or charges caused by guest conduct.
- Unauthorized late checkout.
- Tampering with security cameras, pool equipment, locks, or safety equipment.
Any unused portion of the security deposit will be released or refunded in accordance with the payment processor's normal processing timeline after the property has been inspected.
If damages or charges exceed the security deposit, the primary guest remains responsible for the remaining balance.
4. Cancellation & Refund Policy
For direct reservations made through our website:
- 100% refund when canceled at least 14 days before check-in.
- 50% refund when canceled 7–13 days before check-in.
- No refund when canceled fewer than 7 days before check-in.
Cancellation deadlines are calculated based on the property's local time.
No refunds or credits will be provided for:
- Early departures.
- Late arrivals.
- No-shows.
- Unused nights.
- Changes in personal plans.
- Flight delays or cancellations.
- Transportation problems.
- Illness or other personal emergencies.
- Beach conditions, red tide, insects, wildlife, or similar naturally occurring conditions.
- Temporary interruptions of amenities or utilities outside the host's reasonable control.
Reservations made through Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, or another third-party platform are subject to the cancellation policy displayed on that platform at the time of booking.
5. Weather, Hurricanes & Mandatory Evacuations
Galveston is a coastal destination, and guests acknowledge that weather conditions may change quickly.
Refunds will not be issued because of:
- Rain or unfavorable weather forecasts.
- Tropical storms or hurricanes that do not result in a mandatory evacuation affecting the property.
- High winds, cold weather, excessive heat, or other weather conditions.
- Beach closures or unfavorable beach or water conditions.
- Travel interruptions occurring outside the property area.
If a governmental authority issues a mandatory evacuation order covering the property during the reservation, the guest will be refunded the accommodation charges for unused nights that the property cannot legally be occupied.
Any refund will be limited to the applicable nightly accommodation charges for eligible unused nights and will not exceed amounts actually paid by the guest.
6. Travel Insurance Strongly Recommended
We strongly encourage all guests to purchase comprehensive travel insurance.
Travel insurance may provide coverage for circumstances such as:
- Illness or medical emergencies.
- Flight cancellations or delays.
- Hurricanes and severe weather.
- Transportation disruptions.
- Family emergencies.
- Other unexpected circumstances affecting travel.
Except where specifically stated in this policy or required by law, we are unable to provide refunds outside the applicable cancellation policy because of unexpected personal or travel circumstances.
7. Check-In & Check-Out
Guests must follow the check-in and check-out times stated in their reservation confirmation.
Early check-in and late checkout are not guaranteed and are permitted only when approved in writing in advance.
Unauthorized early entry or late checkout may result in additional charges, particularly if it interferes with cleaning, maintenance, inspections, or the arrival of the next guest.
Access codes may not activate before the approved check-in time and may expire after checkout.
Guests are responsible for following all checkout instructions provided before departure.
8. Occupancy, Visitors & House Rules
- Maximum overnight occupancy is 16 guests.
- No parties, events, receptions, or large gatherings are permitted.
- Only registered guests may stay overnight.
- Visitors who are not included in the reservation must receive prior approval when required.
- The property may not be used for commercial events, ticketed gatherings, weddings, receptions, or similar activities without written authorization.
- Quiet hours are 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
- Guests must comply with applicable City of Galveston noise and short-term-rental ordinances.
- Guests must behave respectfully toward neighbors and the surrounding community.
- Illegal activity is strictly prohibited.
- Fireworks and hazardous activities are prohibited on the property.
Serious or repeated violations may result in termination of the stay without refund, subject to applicable law and booking-platform requirements.
9. Smoking & Vaping
Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited inside the home.
Guests must dispose of cigarette butts and other smoking materials properly.
Cigarette butts may not be discarded in the yard, landscaping, pool area, driveway, rocks, or neighboring property.
Additional cleaning or remediation charges may apply for violations.
10. Pets
Approved pets are subject to a $150 pet fee per reservation, unless otherwise specified at booking.
Pets must be disclosed and approved before arrival.
Guests are responsible for:
- Cleaning up all pet waste.
- Preventing excessive barking or disturbances.
- Keeping pets supervised and under reasonable control.
- Preventing pets from damaging furniture, bedding, landscaping, doors, screens, pool equipment, or other property.
- Following any pet restrictions communicated before arrival.
Additional charges may apply for:
- Undisclosed pets.
- Excessive pet hair or cleaning.
- Pet-related stains or odors.
- Damage caused by pets.
- Failure to remove pet waste.
Legitimate service animals will be accommodated in accordance with applicable law and applicable booking-platform requirements.
11. Pool, Spa/Hot Tub & Water Features
Guests acknowledge that swimming pools, spas, waterfalls, decks, patios, and surrounding wet surfaces involve inherent risks.
- Use of the pool, spa/hot tub, and outdoor amenities is at the guest's own risk.
- Children must be actively supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
- Diving, running around the pool, unsafe horseplay, and misuse of pool equipment are prohibited.
- Guests may not tamper with pumps, heaters, valves, filtration systems, chemical systems, electrical controls, or other pool equipment.
- Glass containers should not be used in or around the pool area.
- Guests must keep safety gates and barriers secured where applicable.
The host does not guarantee a specific water temperature.
12. Optional Pool Heating
Pool heating is an optional service available for $75 per night, subject to availability and weather conditions.
Pool heating must generally be purchased for the applicable nights requested and must be arranged sufficiently in advance to allow the system time to heat the pool.
Guests acknowledge that pool-heating performance may be affected by:
- Outdoor temperature.
- Wind.
- Rain.
- Starting water temperature.
- Equipment limitations.
- Weather changes.
- Pool usage.
Payment for pool heating does not guarantee a specific water temperature.
Once pool heating has been activated, the fee is non-refundable unless the service cannot reasonably be provided because of a verified mechanical failure attributable to the property.
Guests may not operate, adjust, or tamper with the pool-heating equipment.
13. Optional Add-Ons
Any optional services or add-ons purchased with the reservation are subject to their stated terms.
Once an optional service has been delivered, activated, scheduled, or incurred on behalf of the guest, that fee may become non-refundable.
14. Pool & Property Maintenance Access
Routine maintenance may occur during a guest's stay, including:
- Pool service.
- Landscaping.
- Pest control.
- Trash collection.
- Equipment maintenance.
- Repairs and safety inspections.
Guests agree that authorized maintenance personnel may enter exterior areas of the property when reasonably necessary.
When interior access is required for an urgent repair, safety issue, or maintenance problem affecting the stay, reasonable notice will be provided whenever practical.
Routine maintenance does not constitute grounds for a refund.
15. Utilities, Appliances & Amenities
We make reasonable efforts to ensure that advertised appliances, utilities, internet service, pool equipment, televisions, air conditioning, and other amenities are operational.
Occasional outages, mechanical failures, internet interruptions, utility-service issues, or equipment malfunctions may occur.
Guests must notify us promptly of any issue so we have a reasonable opportunity to investigate and correct it.
A malfunction does not automatically entitle the guest to a refund. Any compensation, where appropriate, will be based on the severity, duration, and impact of the issue.
16. Damage, Excessive Cleaning & Additional Charges
The primary guest is financially responsible for damage caused by themselves, members of their party, approved visitors, or pets beyond normal wear and tear.
Additional charges may be assessed for:
- Property damage.
- Missing items.
- Excessive cleaning.
- Unauthorized guests.
- Unauthorized pets.
- Smoking or vaping violations.
- Excessive trash.
- Damage to linens, furniture, appliances, or pool equipment.
- Tampering with security devices or safety equipment.
- Violations resulting in municipal fines or other costs.
- Excessive staining or damage requiring professional cleaning.
- Unauthorized late checkout.
Guests are encouraged to report accidental damage promptly.
17. Security Cameras & Privacy
Exterior security cameras may be used for property security, safety, and verification of occupancy.
There are no surveillance cameras in private interior areas of the home.
Guests may not disable, cover, disconnect, move, damage, or otherwise tamper with exterior security devices.
18. Personal Property
Guests are responsible for securing their personal belongings.
The host is not responsible for lost, stolen, forgotten, or damaged personal property except where liability cannot legally be excluded.
Items left behind may be discarded or returned at the guest's expense when reasonably possible.
19. Assumption of Risk & Liability
Guests acknowledge that use of the property and its amenities may involve inherent risks, including risks associated with:
- Swimming pools and spas.
- Wet or slippery surfaces.
- Stairs.
- Outdoor areas.
- Beach and coastal conditions.
- Weather.
- Wildlife and insects.
Guests voluntarily assume the ordinary risks associated with their stay and agree to exercise reasonable care.
Nothing in these terms is intended to waive or limit any right or liability that cannot legally be waived under applicable law.
20. Violations & Termination of Stay
Material violations of these terms, house rules, occupancy restrictions, safety requirements, or applicable law may result in removal from the property or termination of the reservation.
When permitted by applicable law and the applicable booking platform, serious violations may result in termination without refund.
The guest remains responsible for damages, fees, fines, and other amounts resulting from a violation.
21. Acceptance of Terms
By completing the reservation and/or signing the rental agreement, the primary guest confirms that they:
- Have reviewed and accepted these terms.
- Agree to follow all house rules.
- Accept responsibility for all guests, visitors, children, and approved pets associated with the reservation.
- Understand the applicable cancellation policy.
- Accept the maximum occupancy of 16 guests.
- Understand the $1,000 security deposit/security authorization requirement for direct bookings.
- Understand the $150 pet fee, when applicable.
- Understand the optional $75-per-night pool-heating fee, when requested.
- Agree to promptly report any property, maintenance, safety, or damage concerns.
Contact Information
Tortuga Inn
Email: Reservations@TortugaInn.com
Phone: 3057907077