GUEST TERMS & CONDITIONS

These Guest Terms & Conditions ("Terms") apply to all bookings for retreats and experiences operated by Books N’ Besties, doing business as Books & Besties ("Books & Besties," "we," "us," or "our"). By completing a booking and affirmatively accepting these Terms at checkout, each guest ("Guest," "you," or "your") confirms that she has read, understands, and agrees to these Terms.

1. Eligibility

All Guests must be at least 21 years old by the first day of the retreat.

2. Booking and Nonrefundable Deposit

A reservation is confirmed only after the required initial deposit has been successfully processed and the Guest has affirmatively accepted these Terms.

The required initial deposit is determined by the room category purchased:

• King Bedroom with bathroom: twenty-five percent (25%) of the total ticket price.

• Queen Bedroom with Bathroom: twenty-five percent (25%) of the total ticket price.

• Besties Room (Queen Bedroom without Bathroom): eighteen percent (18%) of the total ticket price.

• Queen Bunk: thirty-three percent (33%) of the total ticket price.

The applicable initial deposit is applied toward the total ticket price and is nonrefundable from the time of purchase, except where these Terms expressly provide for a refund because Books & Besties cancels the retreat.

The deposit percentage applicable to a room category affects only the amount required at checkout. A lower deposit does not constitute a discount or reduction in the total ticket price and does not reduce or eliminate the Guest’s obligation to pay the remaining balance in accordance with these Terms.

3. Payment Plans

Where a payment plan is selected, the remaining balance after the initial deposit will be paid according to the payment structure applicable to the room category purchased:

• King Bedroom: 25% initial deposit, with the remaining balance paid in four (4) installments.

• Queen Bedroom with Bathroom: 25% initial deposit, with the remaining balance paid in four (4) installments.

• Queen Bunk: 33% initial deposit, with the remaining balance paid in four (4) installments.

• Besties Room (Queen Bedroom without Bathroom): 18% initial deposit, with the remaining balance paid in five (5) installments.

The specific installment amounts and payment dates will be disclosed to the Guest at checkout and reflected in the Guest’s payment schedule.

Regardless of room category or payment structure, the Guest remains responsible for the full ticket price. The deposit percentage and number of installments affect only the timing of payment and do not reduce the total amount owed.

Payment-plan enrollment for the March 2027 retreat closes December 1, 2026.

Regardless of booking date or installment schedule, all outstanding retreat balances must be paid in full no later than December 31, 2026.

For bookings made close to the payment-plan cutoff, installment dates may be accelerated or compressed as necessary to ensure full payment by December 31, 2026.

The specific payment dates shown to and accepted by the Guest at checkout or reflected in the booking confirmation will control.

4. Missed Payments

If a scheduled payment is not successfully received by its due date, the Guest will have seven (7) calendar days to bring the account current.

Books & Besties may notify the Guest using the email address provided at booking.

If the outstanding amount is not received within the seven-day grace period, Books & Besties may cancel the reservation and release the spot for resale.

Cancellation of a reservation for nonpayment does not create a right to a refund.

Any amounts already paid remain subject to the cancellation and refund provisions of these Terms, and cancellation for nonpayment does not eliminate any remaining payment obligation that otherwise applies under these Terms.

5. Guest Cancellations and Refunds

To cancel a retreat reservation, the Guest must provide written notice by email to hello@booksnbesties.com. Cancellation is effective when Books & Besties receives the Guest’s written notice.

The initial deposit applicable to the Guest’s room category is nonrefundable at all times, except where these Terms expressly provide otherwise because Books & Besties cancels the retreat.

A reduced initial deposit does not reduce or eliminate any remaining payment obligation that applies following cancellation under this Section.

For sold-out retreats, if a Guest cancels more than ninety (90) days before the scheduled retreat start date, amounts paid beyond the applicable nonrefundable deposit may be eligible for refund only if Books & Besties is able to fill the Guest’s spot with another participant.

Books & Besties controls the resale of canceled reservations and determines whether a canceled spot has been successfully filled.

If Books & Besties is unable to fill the Guest’s spot, no refund will be issued.

For retreats that are not sold out, all payments made are nonrefundable. If the Guest is participating in a payment plan, cancellation does not relieve the Guest of responsibility for any remaining payments, and the Guest remains responsible for the full outstanding balance of the ticket price.

If a Guest cancels ninety (90) days or fewer before the scheduled retreat start date, all amounts paid are nonrefundable, regardless of whether the retreat is sold out or whether the Guest’s spot can subsequently be filled. Any remaining balance due under a payment plan also remains the responsibility of the Guest.

For the March 11, 2027 retreat, the ninety-day nonrefundable period begins December 11, 2026.

Except where required by applicable law or expressly provided otherwise in these Terms, exceptions to this cancellation and refund policy cannot be made for personal circumstances. This includes, without limitation, illness or injury, pregnancy, family emergencies, work conflicts, job loss or employment changes, transportation problems, inability to travel, late arrival, early departure, or other unforeseen personal circumstances.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended to help protect Guests against losses resulting from circumstances that may prevent or interrupt their attendance.

6. Non-Transferability

All bookings are strictly non-transferable.

A Guest may not sell, gift, assign, exchange, or otherwise transfer her reservation to another individual.

If a Guest cancels, Books & Besties may independently resell the newly available spot.

Except as expressly provided in Section 5 for an eligible cancellation of a sold-out retreat, resale of a canceled spot does not alter the original Guest’s refund rights or payment obligations.

7. No-Shows, Late Arrivals and Early Departures

No refund or credit will be provided for failure to attend, late arrival, missed portions of the retreat, voluntary early departure, or removal from the retreat under these Terms.

This includes unused lodging, meals, activities, transportation, amenities, programming, gifts, or other inclusions.

A Guest’s failure to attend or use any portion of the retreat does not eliminate any outstanding payment obligation.

8. Guest-Requested Booking Changes

Requests to change a room, accommodation, ticket, or booking category after purchase are subject to availability and Books & Besties’ prior approval.

Books & Besties is not obligated to approve any requested change.

If a Guest requests and is approved to change room categories after booking, the deposit requirement applicable to the new room category will apply.

If the required deposit for the new room category is greater than the deposit amount previously paid, the Guest must pay the difference before the room-category change becomes effective.

If the required deposit for the new room category is lower than the amount already paid, the Guest will not receive a refund, credit, reimbursement, or reduction of amounts previously paid as a result of the change. Amounts already paid will continue to be applied toward the Guest’s total ticket price.

For example, a Guest who books a Besties Room with an 18% deposit and subsequently requests and is approved to change to a Queen Bunk requiring a 33% deposit must bring the amount paid toward the required deposit up to 33% before the room-category change becomes effective.

A Guest who books a room requiring a 25% or 33% deposit and subsequently changes to a Besties Room is not entitled to have any portion of the amount already paid refunded or returned because the Besties Room requires a lower initial deposit.

Guests may not use room-category changes, cancellations and rebookings, duplicate or replacement reservations, transfers, promotional offers, or other booking modifications to circumvent the deposit or payment requirements applicable to a room category.

Books & Besties may deny or condition a requested booking modification where reasonably necessary to enforce the applicable pricing, deposit, and payment terms.

An approved booking change does not reset or extend applicable payment deadlines, cancellation deadlines, refund restrictions, or other contractual deadlines unless Books & Besties expressly agrees otherwise in writing.

If an approved change results in a higher total ticket price, the Guest is responsible for the price difference.

9. Room Categories and Assignments

Guests purchase the accommodation category described at booking, not a guaranteed bedroom number, physical bed, floor, roommate, or exact placement within the property unless Books & Besties expressly states otherwise.

Books & Besties may make reasonable room or bed assignment adjustments within the purchased category where operationally necessary.

Roommate preferences, compatibility concerns, personality differences, or interpersonal conflicts do not create a right to a refund, credit, complimentary upgrade, or alternative accommodation.

Books & Besties may attempt to assist with roommate issues where reasonably practical but does not guarantee roommate compatibility.

10. Retreat Inclusions

The Guest’s ticket includes only those items expressly identified by Books & Besties as included with the applicable retreat or booking category.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, Guests are responsible for airfare, transportation to and from the destination, personal purchases, optional activities, additional food or beverages, extra lodging, baggage fees, travel insurance, and other personal expenses.

An item is not guaranteed merely because it appeared in preliminary marketing, social media, inspiration materials, discussions, or a prior Books & Besties retreat.

11. Travel Responsibility

Guests are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel to and from the retreat destination.

Books & Besties is not responsible for canceled or delayed flights, missed connections, baggage problems, traffic, transportation disruptions, missed arrival windows, additional lodging, rebooking expenses, or similar travel-related costs.

Books & Besties may elect to arrange or provide certain local transportation, including transportation during the retreat or transportation between a designated pickup point and the retreat lodging.

Local transportation is included only when Books & Besties expressly confirms that it is part of the retreat package.

A Guest who misses scheduled group transportation is responsible for arranging and paying for replacement transportation.

12. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is strongly recommended but is not required.

Guests should consider coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, medical emergencies, transportation disruption, baggage issues, and other travel risks.

A Guest’s decision not to purchase travel insurance does not modify these Terms or create an exception to the refund policy.

13. Itinerary and Program Changes

Retreat schedules, itineraries, activities, meals, vendors, amenities, transportation, and programming are subject to reasonable modification.

Books & Besties may change, replace, reschedule, or remove elements of the retreat due to weather, vendor availability, property requirements, transportation issues, safety concerns, scheduling changes, or other operational needs.

When practical, Books & Besties will make reasonable efforts to provide a comparable substitute or otherwise preserve the overall retreat experience.

An individual vendor, activity, meal, amenity, or itinerary change does not automatically entitle a Guest to a full or partial refund.

14. Changes to Dates, Property or Location

Books & Besties may reasonably change retreat dates, lodging, or location when circumstances require.

Minor or operational changes do not automatically create a refund right.

If Books & Besties makes a material change to the dates or location that prevents a Guest from reasonably attending, Books & Besties may determine an appropriate remedy based on the circumstances, which may include a refund, credit, or opportunity to apply eligible funds toward a future retreat.

15. Cancellation by Books & Besties

If Books & Besties cancels the retreat entirely for a reason within its reasonable control, including failure to meet minimum attendance, Guests will receive a full refund of retreat payments made directly to Books & Besties.

Books & Besties is not responsible for airfare, hotels, transportation, travel insurance premiums, cancellation fees, lost wages, childcare, pet care, or any other outside or consequential expenses incurred by a Guest.

16. Force Majeure

Books & Besties will not be considered in breach of these Terms if a retreat is prevented, materially disrupted, rendered unsafe, or made impracticable by circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

Such circumstances may include natural disasters, hurricanes, flooding, fire, severe weather, epidemic or pandemic conditions, governmental restrictions, war, terrorism, civil unrest, major transportation shutdowns, utility or infrastructure failures, strikes, sudden closure or unavailability of the retreat property, or similar extraordinary circumstances.

In such circumstances, Books & Besties may reschedule, relocate, materially modify, or cancel the retreat.

Any refund or credit made available following a force majeure event may take into account amounts actually recoverable by Books & Besties after nonrefundable property costs, vendor commitments, expenses, and other funds already paid or irrevocably committed in connection with the retreat.

Books & Besties will make reasonable efforts to communicate available options to affected Guests.

17. Weather

Weather alone does not create a right to a refund if the retreat can reasonably and safely proceed.

Books & Besties may alter programming, transportation, outdoor activities, vendors, or schedules because of weather without creating an automatic refund obligation.

18. Independent Vendors

Books & Besties may engage independent third parties including lodging providers, caterers, chefs, bartenders, restaurants, drivers, transportation providers, instructors, activity companies, venues, and other vendors.

These providers are independent businesses and are not employees of Books & Besties.

Books & Besties cannot guarantee or control every act, omission, cancellation, delay, service failure, or other conduct of an independent third-party provider.

19. Participation and Ordinary Risks

Participation in retreat activities is voluntary.

Guests understand that travel and retreat activities may involve ordinary and inherent risks associated with transportation, walking, dining, wellness or movement activities, recreation, excursions, workshops, alcohol consumption, and participation in group events.

Each Guest is responsible for determining whether participation in an activity is appropriate for her.

Declining to participate in an included activity does not create a refund or credit.

20. Health and Emergency Assistance

Guests are responsible for managing their own medical conditions, prescriptions, medications, and personal health needs.

Books & Besties does not provide medical care.

If Books & Besties reasonably believes emergency assistance is necessary, it may contact emergency medical services or other appropriate authorities.

Any medical, emergency transportation, hospitalization, medication, treatment, or related healthcare cost is the Guest’s responsibility.

21. Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

Guests must disclose known food allergies and dietary restrictions by the deadlines provided in Books & Besties’ pre-retreat forms.

Books & Besties and its vendors may make reasonable efforts to accommodate disclosed dietary needs where practical but cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment, kitchen, meal, or preparation process.

Guests with significant allergies or dietary concerns remain responsible for determining whether particular food is appropriate for them.

22. Accessibility and Accommodation Requests

Guests should notify Books & Besties as early as reasonably possible regarding accessibility needs or accommodation requests.

Books & Besties will make reasonable efforts to accommodate requests where feasible.

Retreat properties, third-party venues, transportation providers, and activities may have accessibility limitations outside Books & Besties’ control.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to limit rights available under applicable disability or accessibility law.

23. Alcohol

Alcohol may be available during certain portions of the retreat.

Guests are responsible for drinking responsibly and for their own alcohol consumption and resulting behavior.

Books & Besties or an applicable alcohol-service provider may limit or discontinue alcohol service where appropriate for legal, safety, behavioral, or operational reasons.

Unsafe, destructive, threatening, or materially disruptive alcohol-related behavior may result in removal from an activity or the retreat without refund.

24. Smoking, Vaping and Illegal Substances

Guests must comply with all property, venue, and local rules regarding smoking and vaping.

Smoking or vaping is prohibited wherever the applicable property or venue prohibits it.

Illegal drugs and unlawful controlled substances are prohibited.

Illegal activity or serious violations of property rules may result in immediate removal without refund.

25. Weapons

Weapons are prohibited at Books & Besties-controlled retreat lodging and activities to the extent permitted by applicable law and property rules.

26. Guest Conduct

Books & Besties may remove a Guest from an activity, transportation vehicle, lodging property, or the retreat without refund where the Guest’s conduct is reasonably determined to be threatening, violent, harassing, discriminatory, dangerously intoxicated, unsafe, severely disruptive, destructive, illegal, abusive, or materially interfering with the experience or safety of the group.

Books & Besties may attempt to address an issue before removal where reasonably appropriate but may act immediately where safety or serious misconduct is involved.

Books & Besties is not responsible for the independent actions of another Guest, although it reserves the right to take reasonable action when concerns are brought to its attention.

27. Property and Venue Rules

Guests must follow the reasonable rules and instructions of Books & Besties, lodging providers, venues, vendors, drivers, restaurants, and activity providers.

These may include requirements regarding occupancy, quiet hours, parking, safety, prohibited areas, alcohol, smoking, transportation, and property use.

28. Visitors

Only registered or specifically authorized individuals may attend private retreat programming or enter retreat lodging restricted to the group.

Guests may not invite outside visitors, overnight guests, friends, dates, or other unregistered persons to private retreat lodging or activities without prior approval from Books & Besties.

29. Pets and Service Animals

Ordinary pets may not be brought to the retreat unless expressly approved in advance.

Requests involving service animals will be handled in accordance with applicable law and relevant property requirements.

30. Property Damage

Guests are financially responsible for documented damage they personally cause beyond ordinary wear and tear.

Books & Besties may seek reimbursement for reasonable documented repair, replacement, special cleaning, or related costs attributable to the Guest.

31. Personal Belongings

Guests are responsible for safeguarding their belongings.

Books & Besties is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, misplaced, or forgotten personal property.

If a left-behind item is located, Books & Besties may make reasonable efforts to coordinate its return. The Guest is responsible for shipping, packaging, courier, and similar return expenses.

Unclaimed property may eventually be donated, discarded, or otherwise disposed of after a reasonable period.

32. Photography, Video and Media Release

Photography and video may occur throughout the retreat.

Unless a Guest opts out in writing before the retreat, the Guest grants Books & Besties permission to photograph, film, and record her during retreat activities and to use resulting content for Books & Besties’ legitimate business and promotional purposes, including social media, websites, email marketing, advertisements, future retreat promotion, and brand materials.

A Guest who does not want her identifiable image or likeness used must provide written notice using the method specified in pre-retreat communications.

Books & Besties will make reasonable efforts to honor properly submitted opt-out requests.

33. Guest Social Media and Privacy

Guests are welcome and encouraged to photograph, film, and share their Books & Besties experience on social media.

Guests are nevertheless expected to respect the privacy and expressed wishes of other attendees.

Guests should not intentionally photograph, record, tag, identify, or publicly post another attendee who has clearly requested not to be included.

Guests should also use reasonable discretion before sharing sensitive personal information disclosed by another attendee in a private or group setting.

34. Pre-Retreat Forms

Books & Besties may require Guests to complete forms before arrival covering matters such as emergency contacts, dietary restrictions, allergies, roommate preferences, travel information, accessibility needs, waivers, and activity logistics.

Books & Besties will provide applicable forms and deadlines before the retreat.

Failure to submit required information on time may affect Books & Besties’ ability to accommodate requests or the Guest’s ability to participate in certain services or activities.

35. Waitlist

Books & Besties may maintain a waitlist.

Placement on a waitlist does not guarantee an opportunity to book.

Books & Besties determines when, how, and in what order newly available spots are offered.

36. Promotions, Reduced Deposits and Price Changes

Books & Besties may offer discounts, promotional pricing, reduced deposits, alternative payment schedules, or other booking incentives from time to time and may limit them to particular retreats, room categories, booking categories, booking periods, or qualifying reservations.

Unless Books & Besties expressly states otherwise, such offers are not retroactive.

A Guest who previously booked is not entitled to a refund, credit, reimbursement, price adjustment, deposit adjustment, payment-plan restructuring, or other modification because a discount, promotion, reduced deposit, alternative payment schedule, or other offer subsequently becomes available.

Eligibility for a promotion, reduced deposit, or alternative payment structure is determined according to the terms applicable to the qualifying reservation when it is made.

37. Pricing, Payment Plan and Website Errors

Books & Besties may correct obvious typographical, technical, pricing, availability, payment-plan, deposit, or checkout errors.

If a material error affects a confirmed booking, Books & Besties will communicate with the Guest and provide reasonable options based on the circumstances.

An obvious technical or display error does not, to the extent permitted by applicable law, require Books & Besties to honor a deposit, installment schedule, price, discount, or booking term that was clearly displayed in error.

38. Processing Fees, Taxes and Third-Party Charges

Bookings may be processed through independent payment platforms.

Taxes, payment-processing fees, platform fees, or third-party charges may apply.

Where a Guest is otherwise entitled to a refund, the refund may be reduced by processing, transaction, platform, or similar fees that were actually charged and are not returned by the provider, to the extent permitted by law.

Third-party charges may also be governed by the applicable provider’s own refund rules.

39. Refund Processing

Approved refunds will be returned to the original payment method whenever reasonably possible.

Books & Besties may take up to fourteen (14) business days to process an approved refund.

The Guest’s financial institution or payment provider may require additional time to post the credit.

40. Billing Questions and Payment Disputes

Guests agree to make a good-faith effort to contact Books & Besties regarding a billing or refund concern before initiating a chargeback or similar payment dispute.

Nothing in this provision waives any right that cannot legally be waived.

41. Communications

Books & Besties may send official retreat communications to the email address provided at booking.

Guests are responsible for providing an accurate email address, keeping their contact information current, and reviewing retreat-related communications.

42. Respect for Guest Privacy

Guests may voluntarily share personal stories or information during the retreat.

Guests are expected to exercise reasonable respect for other attendees’ privacy and not intentionally publicize sensitive personal information another Guest has disclosed in confidence.

Books & Besties cannot guarantee that another Guest will maintain confidentiality.

43. Electronic Acceptance

Guests must affirmatively accept these Terms before completing checkout.

Checking the acceptance box and completing the booking constitutes electronic acceptance of these Terms.

The version of the Terms accepted in connection with the booking will govern that booking, subject to later modifications required by law or expressly agreed to by the Guest.

44. Governing Law

These Terms and the Guest’s booking relationship with Books & Besties are governed by the laws of the State of Florida to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Any specific forum-selection, venue, arbitration, jury-waiver, or similar dispute-resolution provision applies only to the extent enforceable under applicable law.

45. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, it will be limited or interpreted to the minimum extent necessary where permitted, and the remaining provisions will continue in effect.

46. No Waiver

Failure by Books & Besties to enforce a provision on one occasion does not waive its right to enforce that provision or another provision in the future.

Approval of an exception, accommodation, payment arrangement, or booking modification for one Guest or reservation does not obligate Books & Besties to provide the same exception, accommodation, arrangement, or modification to another Guest or reservation.

47. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the applicable booking confirmation, checkout information, payment schedule, and any agreement or waiver expressly incorporated into the booking, constitute the agreement between Books & Besties and the Guest regarding the subjects addressed here.

The deposit amount, payment schedule, room or booking category, and total ticket price specifically displayed and accepted in connection with the Guest’s booking are incorporated into these Terms.

Informal conversations, preliminary itineraries, social media posts, marketing materials, or oral statements do not modify these Terms unless Books & Besties expressly confirms a modification in writing.

48. Contact

Questions regarding these Terms, bookings, payments, cancellations, accommodations, or media opt-outs may be sent to:

Books N’ Besties
hello@booksnbesties.com