Privacy Policy

We take your privacy seriously - here's exactly how we handle your information

Last Updated: October 23, 2025

Introduction

Look, we get it - nobody actually enjoys reading privacy policies. But if you're gonna trust us with your info when booking a stay at Aetherion Ward Forge Hotel, you deserve to know what we're doing with it. We've tried to keep this straightforward and honest, without all the usual legal mumbo-jumbo where possible.

This policy covers how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you interact with our hotel - whether that's booking a room, dining at our restaurant, or just browsing our website. We're committed to respecting your privacy and following all Canadian privacy laws, including PIPEDA.

What Info We Collect

Here's the breakdown of what we might collect from you:

Personal Details

  • Your name, email address, phone number - the basics we need to confirm your reservation
  • Mailing address for billing and correspondence
  • Payment information (credit card details, though we don't store the full numbers)
  • Date of birth if you're booking certain packages or spa services
  • Government ID for check-in purposes, as required by local regulations

Booking Information

  • Reservation details - check-in/out dates, room preferences, number of guests
  • Special requests you make (extra pillows, dietary restrictions, accessibility needs)
  • Your stay history with us if you're a returning guest
  • Loyalty program information if you join our Heritage Members program

Technical Data

  • IP address and browser type when you visit our website
  • Cookies and similar tracking tech (more on this below)
  • Device information and how you navigate through our site
  • Search queries and pages you visit on our website

Communications

  • Any emails, calls, or messages you send us
  • Feedback forms, reviews, and survey responses
  • Your preferences for receiving marketing communications

How We Use Your Info

We're not in the business of selling your data or doing anything sketchy. Here's what we actually do with your information:

Running the Hotel

Processing your reservations, managing check-ins and check-outs, handling payments, and basically making sure your stay goes smoothly. Can't really run a hotel without this stuff.

Improving Your Experience

Remembering your preferences for future stays, personalizing recommendations, and making your next visit even better. If you told us you love a particular suite or need hypoallergenic bedding, we'll remember that.

Communication

Sending booking confirmations, responding to your questions, and keeping you updated about your reservation. We might also send occasional promotional offers, but only if you've said that's cool with you.

Legal Compliance

Meeting legal requirements like tax regulations, health and safety standards, and accommodation reporting obligations. Sometimes the law requires us to keep certain records.

Security & Fraud Prevention

Protecting against fraudulent bookings and ensuring the safety of all our guests. Nobody wants their stay ruined by security issues.

Analytics & Improvement

Understanding how guests use our website and services so we can make things better. This helps us figure out what's working and what needs improvement.

Who We Share Your Info With

We're pretty protective of your data, but sometimes we need to share certain info to provide our services properly. Here's who might get access:

Quick note: We never sell your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. That's not how we roll.

  • Service Providers: Payment processors, booking platforms, email service providers - the folks who help us run our operations. They're bound by confidentiality agreements.
  • Business Partners: If you book a package that includes activities with local tour operators or spa services, we'll share what's necessary to deliver those experiences.
  • Legal Authorities: If we're legally required to disclose information by law enforcement, courts, or regulatory bodies, we'll comply with those obligations.
  • Professional Advisors: Our lawyers, accountants, and insurance providers when necessary for legitimate business purposes.
  • Business Transfers: In the unlikely event that the hotel is sold or merged with another company, your information would be transferred as part of that transaction.

Cookies & Tracking Tech

Yeah, we use cookies - not the delicious kind we serve at breakfast, but the digital ones that help our website work better. Here's the deal:

What Are Cookies Anyway?

They're tiny text files stored on your device that remember stuff about your visit. Think of them like digital sticky notes that help us recognize you when you come back.

Types We Use:
  • Essential Cookies: These keep the site functioning - handling your booking cart, remembering your login, that sort of thing. Can't really turn these off without breaking the website.
  • Performance Cookies: Help us understand which pages are popular and how visitors move around the site. All anonymous stuff.
  • Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences like language settings or room search criteria.
  • Marketing Cookies: Track whether you've seen our ads and help us show you relevant content. You can opt out of these.

Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. You can block or delete them, though that might make some features not work properly.

How We Protect Your Data

We take security seriously. Your trust means everything to us, and we've put proper measures in place to protect your information:

  • SSL encryption for all data transmitted through our website (that little lock icon in your browser)
  • Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant payment gateways
  • Restricted access to personal data - only authorized staff who need it for their jobs
  • Regular security audits and system updates
  • Secure physical storage for any paper records
  • Employee training on data protection and privacy

Real talk: No system is 100% bulletproof, but we're doing everything reasonable to protect your data. If there's ever a security breach that affects you, we'll let you know ASAP and tell you what steps to take.

Your Privacy Rights

Under Canadian privacy law, you've got some solid rights when it comes to your personal data. Here's what you can do:

Access Your Data

Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. We'll provide it in a readable format within 30 days.

Correct Inaccuracies

If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. Keeping your info accurate helps us serve you better.

Delete Your Data

Request deletion of your personal info, subject to any legal obligations we have to keep certain records (like tax documents).

Opt Out of Marketing

Unsubscribe from promotional emails anytime. You'll still get essential communications about your bookings though.

Data Portability

Get your data in a format that you can transfer to another service provider if you want.

Ask Questions

Wondering what data we have or how we use it? Just ask. We're happy to explain our practices.

To exercise any of these rights, just contact us:

reservations@aetherionwardforge.info

(604) 555-0847

How Long We Keep Your Data

We don't keep your information forever - just as long as we need it for legitimate purposes:

  • Reservation Records: Kept for 7 years to meet tax and accounting requirements
  • Marketing Preferences: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
  • Website Analytics: Typically stored for 26 months, then aggregated or deleted
  • Guest Preferences: Maintained while you're an active guest, then reviewed periodically
  • Security Footage: Deleted after 30 days unless needed for investigations

When we no longer need your data, we securely delete or anonymize it so it can't be traced back to you.

Children's Privacy

Our services aren't directed at kids under 16, and we don't knowingly collect their personal information without parental consent. If you're booking for your family, you're responsible for providing info about children in your party. If you think we've accidentally collected data from a child without proper consent, please let us know right away so we can delete it.