The Best Retreat ("we," "us," "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our website and services.
1. Information We Collect
Information You Provide
- Account Information: Email address, password, and name when you create a host account
- Retreat Information: Property details, photos, descriptions, location, pricing, and booking links when hosts submit retreats
- Payment Information: Billing details processed through our payment provider (we do not store full card numbers)
- Communications: Messages you send us via email or contact forms
- Nominations: Information submitted when nominating a retreat, including your contact details
Information Collected Automatically
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, clicks, and navigation patterns
- Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device type
- Location Data: General location based on IP address (not precise location)
- Cookies: See our Cookie Policy for details
2. How We Use Your Information
We use collected information to:
- Operate and improve our Service
- Process host applications and manage listings
- Process payments and subscriptions
- Communicate with you about your account or inquiries
- Send service-related emails (account updates, payment confirmations)
- Analyze usage patterns to improve user experience
- Prevent fraud and ensure security
- Comply with legal obligations
3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:
- Your consent: Where you have given explicit consent for specific processing activities
- Performance of a contract: Where processing is necessary to provide the Service you requested
- Compliance with legal obligations: Where we are legally required to process your data
- Legitimate interests: Where processing is necessary for our legitimate interests (such as improving the Service, preventing fraud, and ensuring security), provided these interests do not override your rights
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:
Service Providers
We share information with third-party service providers who assist in operating our Service, including:
- Payment processing
- Database hosting and authentication
- Website hosting and delivery
- Email communications
- Analytics and performance monitoring
- Cookie consent management
These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and may only use it to provide services on our behalf.
Public Information
Retreat listings (including photos, descriptions, and location) are publicly visible. Host contact information is only shared as specified in your listing settings.
Legal Requirements
We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or governmental request, or to protect our rights, safety, or property.
5. Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Keep you logged in
- Remember your preferences
- Understand how you use our Service
- Improve performance and user experience
You can manage cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner or your browser settings. For more details, see our Cookie Policy.
We use analytics tools to understand website usage. You may opt out of analytics tracking through your browser settings or the provider's opt-out tools.
Do Not Track: Our Service does not currently respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals.
6. Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide the Service and fulfill the purposes described in this policy.
- Active accounts: Data is retained while your account is active
- Closed accounts: We may retain certain data for up to 90 days after account closure for legal, security, or operational purposes
- Payment records: Retained as required by tax and financial regulations
- Nomination data: Information submitted when nominating a retreat is used solely to evaluate the nomination and may be retained for follow-up or internal review
Public content associated with a retreat listing may remain visible for a limited period after removal due to caching or archival processes.
7. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:
- Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS)
- Secure password hashing
- Regular security assessments
- Limited access to personal data
However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
- Access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
- Deletion: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal requirements)
- Portability: Request your data in a portable format
- Objection: Object to certain types of processing
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
To exercise these rights, contact us at hello@thebestretreat.com.
9. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)
California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:
- Right to know what personal information is collected
- Right to request deletion of personal information
- Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information
- Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights
We do not sell personal information. We do not sell, rent, or share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.
10. Children's Privacy
Our Service is not directed to children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.
11. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable law.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on this page with a new "Last updated" date. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
13. Contact Us
Questions about this Privacy Policy? Contact us at hello@thebestretreat.com.