1. Introduction

Sharp Stays ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our booking platform to reserve vacation rental properties in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. All properties listed on this platform are personally owned and operated by Sharp Stays.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Name, email address, and phone number (collected from guests and authorized service providers such as cleaners)
• Billing and payment information (processed securely through Stripe)
• Booking details, preferences, and special requests
• Communication history and feedback
• Guest preferences and stay history

Automatically Collected Information

We automatically collect certain information when you visit our website:

• IP address and browser information
• Device type and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on our site
• Referral sources and search terms

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Process and manage your vacation rental bookings
• Coordinate with authorized service providers (such as cleaning staff)
• Send transactional SMS notifications via Twilio for new bookings, booking changes, and cancellations
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• Process payments securely through Stripe
• Improve our website and services
• Comply with legal obligations

Important: We do not send marketing or promotional messages. All SMS communications are strictly transactional and operational in nature.

4. Information Sharing and Third-Party Services

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information, including phone numbers, to any third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• Stripe: Payment processing services. Your payment information is transmitted directly to Stripe and is subject to their privacy policy.
• Twilio: SMS notification delivery for transactional messages about bookings, changes, and cancellations. Phone numbers are used solely for operational communication.
• When required by law or to protect our legal rights
• With your explicit consent
• In connection with a business transaction (merger, sale, etc.)

Your phone number is never shared with marketers or used for promotional purposes.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, please note that no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information, including contact details and booking history, indefinitely for operational purposes, business continuity, and to maintain comprehensive records of guest reservations and property operations. This allows us to provide consistent service, resolve disputes, maintain accurate historical records, and improve the guest experience.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to our data retention policy and legal obligations)
• Object to or restrict processing of your information
• Data portability
• Withdraw consent at any time

8. Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Some features of our website may not function properly if you disable cookies.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 18, please contact us immediately.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.