Your privacy matters to us - here's how we handle your information
Last Updated: January 2024
We're committed to protecting your privacy
Welcome to Hirrowen Quinthale Hotel. Look, we get it - nobody really enjoys reading privacy policies. But we've tried to make this one actually readable and honest about what we do with your info.
At our boutique heritage inn, we take your privacy seriously. This policy explains what personal information we collect when you book a room, dine with us, or just browse our website. We're a Canadian establishment, so we follow PIPEDA (that's the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act) along with provincial privacy laws in British Columbia.
By using our website or services, you're agreeing to the terms outlined here. If something doesn't sit right with you, we'd love to chat about it - our contact info's at the bottom of this page.
We only collect what we actually need to make your stay awesome. Here's the breakdown:
When you book with us, we'll need your name, email, phone number, and mailing address. For payment, we collect credit card info (though we don't actually store the full card number - our payment processor handles that). If you've got special requests or dietary needs, we'll keep that on file too so we can take care of you properly.
Your reservation details - check-in and check-out dates, room preferences, any add-ons like spa treatments or dining reservations. We also keep a record of your past stays to help us personalize your future visits.
Like most websites, we collect some technical data - your IP address, browser type, device info, and how you navigate our site. This helps us fix bugs and make the site work better for everyone.
We've got security cameras in our public areas (not in rooms or private spaces, obviously). This footage is kept for safety reasons and gets deleted after 30 days unless there's a specific incident we need to review.
We're not in the business of hoarding data for no reason. Here's what we actually do with it:
We won't sell your personal information to third parties. That's just not how we operate.
Yeah, we use cookies - and not just the chocolate chip ones from our kitchen (though those are pretty great too).
You can control which cookies you're okay with. The essential ones are needed for the site to work, but the others are optional.
Essential cookies remember things like your booking details as you move through the reservation process. Without these, the website basically wouldn't work.
Analytics cookies tell us which pages people visit most, how long they stick around, and where they're coming from. We use Google Analytics for this. It helps us figure out what's working and what needs fixing.
Marketing cookies might track your browsing to show you relevant ads on other sites. We use these sparingly and you can opt out anytime.
We keep your info pretty close to the chest, but there are a few situations where we need to share it:
We use secure third-party services to handle credit card transactions. They're PCI compliant and don't share your payment info with us or anyone else.
We use email platforms to send you confirmations and newsletters. Your email address is shared with them, but they're contractually obligated to keep it secure.
Sometimes we work with local tour operators or event vendors. We'll only share what's necessary for them to provide the service you've requested.
If required by law or to protect our rights, we may share information with authorities. We're talking subpoenas, fraud investigations - that sort of thing.
All our third-party partners are vetted and bound by confidentiality agreements. We don't work with anyone who doesn't take privacy as seriously as we do.
We take security seriously. Our website uses SSL encryption (that's the little padlock you see in your browser). Your data is stored on secure servers with restricted access - not just anyone on our staff can peek at your information.
We've got firewalls, regular security audits, and all the technical stuff you'd expect from a professional operation. Our payment processing never actually sees or stores your full credit card details - that's handled by our PCI-compliant payment partners.
That said, no system is 100% bulletproof. We do everything we reasonably can to protect your info, but we can't guarantee absolute security. If there's ever a data breach that affects you, we'll let you know ASAP and tell you what happened and what we're doing about it.
Tip: You can help keep your account secure by using a strong password and not sharing your booking details with anyone you don't trust.
We don't keep your information forever. Here's our general approach:
If you want us to delete your info sooner, just ask - we'll do it as long as we're not legally required to keep it.
You've got rights when it comes to your personal information. Under Canadian privacy law, here's what you can do:
Request a copy of all the personal information we hold about you. We'll get it to you within 30 days.
If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it right away.
Ask us to delete your information (except what we legally need to keep for accounting or safety reasons).
Unsubscribe from marketing emails anytime. There's an unsubscribe link in every email we send.
Request your data in a commonly used format so you can transfer it somewhere else if you want.
If you think we've mishandled your data, contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Our services aren't directed at anyone under 18. We don't knowingly collect personal information from kids. If you're a parent and think we've got info about your child, please reach out and we'll delete it immediately.
Our website might link to other sites - local attractions, partner businesses, that sort of thing. We're not responsible for their privacy practices. Once you click away from our site, you're subject to their policies, not ours. Always check their privacy statements before sharing personal info.
We might update this policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we do, we'll update the "Last Updated" date at the top of the page. If there are major changes, we'll send an email to anyone who's subscribed to our updates.
It's worth checking back here now and then to stay informed. Continued use of our services after changes means you're cool with the updated terms.
If you've got questions about this privacy policy, want to exercise any of your rights, or just want to chat about how we handle your data, we're here to help.