General terms and conditions

1. Scope and contracting party

These general terms apply to contracts for the temporary provision of beds and rooms and to other agreed services of Backpackers St. Pauli. The contracting party is Backpackers St. Pauli GmbH, Bernstorffstraße 98, 22767 Hamburg, Germany. Different terms of the guest apply only where we have expressly agreed to them in text form.

2. Booking and conclusion of contract

Availability and prices shown on the website are an invitation to submit a booking request. A binding accommodation contract is formed when we confirm the booking or when it is confirmed by the booking system used by us. Guests must provide correct and complete contact details, travel dates and numbers of guests and check the confirmation promptly. A group enquiry submitted through the website form is not a booking until expressly confirmed.

3. Services and prices

The scope and price of the service are determined by the rate displayed during booking and the booking confirmation. Additional services are owed only where expressly agreed. Prices include the taxes and charges shown. Where a culture and tourism tax or another local charge applies, it is calculated in accordance with the law in force and shown during booking or on the invoice.

4. Payment and security

Due dates, accepted payment methods, deposits, pre-authorisations or other security arrangements are determined by the booked rate, booking process and confirmation. On arrival we may require a valid identity document and an agreed payment method or reasonable security for outstanding amounts. Additional costs may be charged only where they were transparently disclosed during booking or validly agreed later.

5. Cancellation, no-show and early departure

Cancellations and amendments are governed by the conditions of the specific rate shown before the booking is completed and repeated in the confirmation. For non-refundable rates, the full agreed price may remain payable if the guest does not arrive. Flexible rates are subject to the deadline and any cancellation charges stated for that rate. Statutory duties to account for saved expenses or alternative occupancy remain unaffected. Early departure does not automatically terminate the contract.

Contracts for accommodation provided on a specific date or during a specific period generally do not carry a statutory 14-day right of withdrawal. Contractual cancellation rights remain unaffected.

6. Arrival, departure and use

The binding check-in, latest-arrival and check-out times are stated in the booking confirmation or in the information shown during booking. Arrival outside regular reception hours requires prior agreement. Beds and rooms may be used only by registered persons and for the agreed purpose. Transfer or subletting without our consent is not permitted.

7. Minors

Bookings and stays by guests under 18 are subject to the age, consent and supervision requirements communicated during booking. Where required, written consent from a parent or legal guardian and suitable evidence must be provided. Minors may use shared dormitories only where expressly permitted and agreed.

8. Groups

Additional terms communicated before the contract is concluded may apply to groups, particularly regarding payment schedules, name lists, deposits, cancellation deadlines, responsible group leaders and house rules. In the event of a conflict, individually confirmed group terms take precedence over these general provisions.

9. House rules and consideration for others

Guests must comply with the house rules, safety instructions and reasonable directions from our staff. Smoking indoors, possession or use of illegal drugs, violence, threats, harassment, discrimination and substantial disturbance of other guests are prohibited. Quiet hours must be observed. In cases of serious or repeated breach, we may terminate the stay and issue a ban from the premises after considering the circumstances; further statutory rights remain unaffected.

10. Damage, keys and deposits

Guests are liable in accordance with statutory law for damage culpably caused by them or persons included in their booking. Loss of keys, cards or other access devices must be reported immediately. We may charge the necessary and reasonable replacement costs and required security measures. Agreed deposits are refunded after deduction of justified claims.

11. Liability and guests’ property

We are liable in accordance with statutory law. In the event of a slightly negligent breach of an essential contractual obligation, liability is limited to the typical and foreseeable loss. This limitation does not apply to injury to life, body or health, intent or gross negligence, guarantees assumed or mandatory statutory liability. Statutory innkeeper liability for guests’ property, including sections 701 et seq. of the German Civil Code, remains unaffected. Valuables should be deposited only using the designated and agreed safekeeping facilities.

12. Defects and complaints

Defects or disruptions should be reported to us without undue delay so that we can provide a remedy within a reasonable period. Failure to provide a reasonable notification may limit statutory claims.

13. Data protection

Information about the processing of personal data is available in our privacy policy.

14. Final provisions

German law applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. Mandatory consumer-protection provisions of the country in which a consumer has their habitual residence remain unaffected. Exclusive jurisdiction in Hamburg is agreed only where legally permissible, particularly for merchants, legal entities under public law or special public-law funds. If an individual provision is invalid, the remaining provisions remain effective and statutory law applies in place of the invalid provision. In the event of differences between language versions, the German version prevails to the extent legally permissible.