General Terms and Conditions of Sale

1. Scope of application

1.1. These General Terms and Conditions of Sale (hereinafter “GTC”) apply to all reservation requests, reservations and accommodation contracts concluded with Geneva Hostel, operated by the Association genevoise des Auberges de Jeunesse (AGAJ), as well as to all ancillary services provided during the stay.

1.2. They apply regardless of the booking channel used (website, e-mail, telephone, agency, online booking platform or contractual partner).

1.3. Any reservation implies unreserved acceptance of these GTC, which form an integral part of the reservation contract. In the event of any contradiction between the GTC and a written booking confirmation, the specific provisions of the booking confirmation shall prevail.

2. Definitions

Guest: the natural person staying at Geneva Hostel.
Client: the natural or legal person making the reservation and assuming financial responsibility for the stay.
Individual reservation: any reservation for up to and including 10 persons for the same period.
Group reservation: any reservation for 11 persons or more for the same period, handled as a group by Geneva Hostel.
Flex option: flexible rate with specific cancellation conditions.
Fix option: fixed, non-refundable rate with strict cancellation conditions.

3. Conclusion of the contract and types of reservation

3.1. The accommodation contract is concluded as soon as Geneva Hostel confirms the Client’s reservation (by e-mail, automatic confirmation, signed contract or via an online platform).

3.2. If a written contract is required (in particular for groups), it must be returned signed within the specified deadline. If it is not returned within this period, Geneva Hostel is free to allocate the rooms to other guests and the reservation is deemed void, without any right to compensation.

Furthermore, payment of the requested deposit constitutes acceptance of these GTC and of the specific conditions stated in the offer or booking confirmation.

3.3. Geneva Hostel offers in particular two main rate types for individual reservations:

Flex option:

Cancellation or modification free of charge up to 2 days (48 hours) before the arrival date.
In case of late cancellation (less than 48 hours before arrival) or no-show, 100% of the amount of the first night will be charged.

Fix option:

Non-modifiable and non-refundable reservation.
In case of cancellation, modification or no-show, the total amount of the stay remains due and no refund will be made.

3.4. The conditions applied (Flex, Fix, group, special offer, etc.) are those indicated at the time of booking (website, written offer, e-mail confirmation or contract).

4. Prices, taxes and included services

4.1. Unless otherwise stated, prices are indicated inclusive of VAT. The city tax set by the City of Geneva is due in addition, per person and per night, according to the rate in force at the time of the stay. For information purposes only, it is currently CHF 3.75 and will increase to CHF 4.25 on 1 January 2026, subject to modification by the competent authorities.

4.2. Payment of the city tax entitles the Guest to a Geneva Transport Card, allowing free use of public transport in Geneva for the duration of the stay, in accordance with the conditions of the City of Geneva. The card is provided in electronic form before arrival or at reception.

4.3. Unless otherwise stated, the following services are included for individual guests:

daily breakfast,
free WiFi access,
Geneva Transport Card,
while all other services are charged according to the price list in force (parking, laundry, conference rooms, etc.).

5. Payment, deposits and invoicing

5.1. Individual reservations (up to 10 persons)

A prepayment or a credit card guarantee may be required depending on the chosen rate type (Flex, Fix) or the booking channel.
The outstanding balance, where applicable, is generally due upon check-in.
Geneva Hostel reserves the right to pre-authorise the given credit card and/or request partial or full prepayment prior to arrival, in particular for non-refundable or high-demand reservations.

5.2. Group reservations (from 11 persons)

Geneva Hostel is entitled to request a deposit as a guarantee. The amount and the due dates are specified in the group offer or contract
Unless otherwise stated, the total amount must be paid before the date of arrival.
By paying the requested deposit, the Client accepts the terms and conditions of the group contract and these GTC.
Bank charges and exchange rate differences are entirely borne by the Client. For bank transfers, the Client must select the “charges to sender only” option.

5.3. Geneva Hostel accepts payment by:

common credit and debit cards (subject to technical acceptance),
cash in Swiss francs,
bank transfer in advance for groups and contractual partners.

5.4. Geneva Hostel may refuse cards that are not in the name of the Client or require written proof of authorisation from the cardholder. In case of doubt regarding the cardholder’s identity or the origin of the card, the hostel may refuse the service or require another means of payment.

5.5. In the event of deferred payment granted to a partner or professional client, invoices are payable on the date indicated. In the event of late payment, default interest and reminder fees may be charged.

5.6. If the requested deposit is not received by the due date, Geneva Hostel is free to cancel the reservation without notice and without any compensation.

6. Cancellation and modification conditions

6.1. General provisions

6.1.1. Any request for cancellation or modification must be made in writing (by e-mail to or via the booking platform used).
6.1.2. Cancellation or modification only becomes effective after written confirmation from Geneva Hostel.
6.1.3. In the event of no-show or early departure, the cancellation conditions linked to the booked rate apply; no refund is due beyond what is provided for in these conditions.

6.2. Individual reservations – Flex option

Cancellation or modification free of charge up to 48 hours before the arrival date (local time, Geneva).
In the event of late cancellation (less than 48 hours), no-show or early departure, Geneva Hostel charges 100% of the first night.

6.3. Individual reservations – Fix option

Non-modifiable and non-refundable reservation.
In the event of cancellation, no-show or early departure, the total amount of the stay remains due. No refund or credit note is granted.

6.4. Group reservations

6.4.1. The Guest / Client must notify any contractual change (number of participants, dates, services) in writing and as early as possible.

6.4.2. Unless otherwise specified in the group offer or contract, cancellation fees apply as follows:

from the 60th day before arrival: 30% of the total agreed amount,
from the 30th day before arrival: 50% of the total agreed amount,
from the 14th day before arrival: 100% of the total agreed amount.

6.4.3. For reservations where the arrival date is between 1 and 60 days at the time of confirmation, specific conditions may apply and will be indicated in the written offer or booking confirmation.

6.4.4. In case of no-show of the group or of a major unannounced reduction, Geneva Hostel may invoice the amount due according to the percentages above.

6.4.5. Groups are strongly advised to take out cancellation cost insurance.

7. Arrival, departure and stay

7.1. Official times

Check-in from 3.00 p.m.
Check-out no later than 11.00 a.m. on the day of departure.

In case of departure after 11.00 a.m., Geneva Hostel reserves the right to charge fees up to an additional night.

7.2. In case of early arrival, luggage may be stored in the dedicated area, subject to availability. Lockers are also available (possibly for a fee).

7.3. Late arrivals are possible, but Guests are requested to inform the hostel in advance. In the absence of a payment guarantee or prepayment, Geneva Hostel may reallocate the room after a certain time.

7.4. Guests must present a valid official identity document (passport or identity card for European citizens). Geneva Hostel is entitled to refuse accommodation if no valid document is presented.

7.5. Unaccompanied minors can only be accepted if they present:

a written authorisation signed by a parent or legal representative,
a copy of the identity document or passport of the signatory.

Geneva Hostel reserves the right to refuse an unaccompanied minor if the documents are insufficient or in case of doubt about their authenticity.

8. House rules and behaviour

8.1. Geneva Hostel is a strictly non-smoking establishment, including electronic cigarettes, throughout the building (rooms, corridors, sanitary facilities, common areas, windows, etc.). In case of violation, a flat fee may be charged for cleaning and disturbance.

8.2. It is forbidden:

to smoke or tamper with fire detectors,
to consume or store drugs in the establishment,
to consume alcohol in the rooms (any alcohol consumption must comply with the law and the internal rules, e.g. in authorised areas),
to eat in the rooms when this is expressly prohibited by the internal rules,
to use personal cooking devices in the rooms (camping stoves, hot plates, etc.)
to sleep in common areas outside dedicated zones.

8.3. Noise and quietness
Respect for the rest and quietness of other Guests is essential. Silence is required from 10.00 p.m. in the rooms, corridors and floors. Geneva Hostel reserves the right to intervene and, in the event of repeated non-compliance, to order the Guest to leave immediately without refund.

8.4. Visitors
External visitors are only allowed in the common areas on the ground floor (lobby, reception, etc.) and are not permitted to access the rooms or floors.

8.5. Animals
Pets are not allowed at Geneva Hostel, except in exceptional cases authorised in advance (e.g. assistance dogs, in compliance with the establishment’s rules).

9. Use of common areas and facilities

9.1. Common areas (lounges, games area, possible guest kitchen, laundry, etc.) are available within the limits of the posted opening hours and in accordance with the hostel’s internal rules.

9.2. Guests must comply with hygiene, safety and community rules. Geneva Hostel may limit access to certain areas in case of overcrowding, works, events or for safety reasons.

9.3. Lockers and storage facilities must be used properly. Geneva Hostel accepts no liability in case of theft or loss of items left outside lockers or in unsecured areas.

10. Liability, damages and valuables

10.1. The Guest and the Client are jointly and severally liable for all material damages and additional cleaning costs caused to the establishment, its furniture or equipment, by themselves or by third parties for whom they are responsible (group members, visitors, etc.).

10.2. Geneva Hostel may require a security deposit (for example, a credit card pre-authorisation or a cash deposit) upon arrival, particularly for groups or in case of special risk.

10.3. Geneva Hostel is not liable for:

loss, theft or deterioration of personal belongings left in rooms or common areas,
disruptions or interruptions of services provided by third parties (internet provider, Swisscom, electricity, etc.) beyond its control.

10.4. Guests are strongly encouraged to use the lockers provided for their valuables. The hostel’s liability is limited to the mandatory provisions of Swiss law applicable to hotels.

10.5. Parking
Parking spaces are available in limited numbers. Their use does not create a deposit or custody contract. Geneva Hostel assumes no responsibility for:

damage to vehicles,
items left inside vehicles,
except in cases of gross negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of the hostel. Any incident must be reported immediately to reception.

11. Personal data and data protection

11.1. In connection with reservations and the stay, Geneva Hostel collects the personal data necessary to process the contract (name, first name, contact details, dates of stay, payment data, legally required guest information, etc.).

11.2. Certain data may be transmitted to the competent authorities, in particular the police, in accordance with Swiss legal obligations in the field of accommodation.

11.3. Data arising from the use of WiFi (for example the MAC address of connected devices) may be recorded in accordance with Swiss law, for security and traceability purposes in the event of abuse.

11.4. Data is processed in accordance with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection, the GDPR where applicable, and the Privacy Policy of the Association genevoise des Auberges de Jeunesse, available on www.genevahostel.ch.

11.5. For further details (rights of access, rectification, erasure, retention period, international transfers, etc.), Guests are invited to consult the Privacy Policy available online. Requests may be sent to: .

12. Force majeure

12.1. Geneva Hostel is not liable for failures or limitations in the performance of its obligations where these result from an event of force majeure, in particular (non-exhaustive list):

pandemics, epidemics, contagious diseases,
decisions or restrictions by public authorities (administrative closures, occupancy limits, travel restrictions),
strikes, social unrest, terrorist acts, riots, wars,
natural disasters, extreme weather events, fires, floods, general power or network outages,
breakdowns or interruptions of electricity, water, internet or telecommunications networks beyond the hostel’s control.

12.2. In the event of force majeure, Geneva Hostel may cancel reservations or adjust its services without being liable for compensation. Deposits already paid may, where possible, be carried forward to a later date by mutual agreement. Failing that, the relevant provisions of Swiss law shall apply.

13. Place of jurisdiction and applicable law

13.1. These GTC, as well as any contract concluded with Geneva Hostel, are governed by Swiss law, to the exclusion of any other law.

13.2. The exclusive place of jurisdiction for any dispute between the Client or Guest and Geneva Hostel is the seat of the Association genevoise des Auberges de Jeunesse in Geneva (Switzerland), subject to any mandatory consumer protection provisions that may apply.

14. Refusal of accommodation and access ban (blacklist)

14.1. Geneva Hostel reserves the right to refuse a reservation, to deny access to the establishment or to order the immediate departure of a Guest, with or without prior warning, for just cause.

14.2. Just cause shall include, in particular but not exclusively:

repeated violations of the house rules,
use of physical or verbal violence,
harassment of other Guests or staff,
intentional damage to buildings, facilities or equipment,
consumption or trafficking of drugs within the establishment,
behaviour endangering the safety or integrity of others,
serious discriminatory remarks or acts,
any behaviour significantly damaging the reputation or proper functioning of the hostel.

14.3. In such situations, Geneva Hostel may:

immediately terminate the stay,
require the Guest to leave the premises immediately, without refund for unused nights and without compensation,
and decide on an access ban to the hostel, for a fixed or indefinite period (“blacklist”).

14.4. The access ban may be imposed where the seriousness of the facts so justifies, in particular in cases of violence, harassment, threats to safety, theft or major damage. The Guest concerned may be informed in writing (by e-mail or letter).

15. Final provisions

15.1. Geneva Hostel reserves the right to amend these GTC at any time. The version in force at the time of booking remains applicable to the relevant contract.

15.2. Should any provision of these GTC be declared null and void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain fully valid. The invalid provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that comes as close as possible to the original economic intent.

15.3. In case of discrepancies between different language versions of the GTC, the French version shall prevail.