Here is the customized Privacy Policy tailored for Highlands of the Smokies (The Highlands Luxury Vacation Rentals), incorporating the SMS/MMS messaging clause and your specific business details.
PRIVACY POLICY
Effective Date: July 21, 2026
Last Updated: July 21, 2026
Welcome to Highlands of the Smokies (“we,” “our,” or “us”). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (https://highlandsofthesmokies.com/), book a luxury vacation condo in Gatlinburg, or interact with our guest services and promotional programs (such as our VIP Experience Pass, free tickets, packages, or add-ons).
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using our website and services, you agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our website or services.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information that identifies, relates to, describes, references, or can be reasonably linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular consumer or device (“Personal Information”). We may collect the following categories of information:
- Contact and Identity Information: Full name, billing address, shipping address, email address, and telephone number.
- Booking and Transaction Information: Details regarding your reservations (check-in/check-out dates, number of guests, condo or penthouse selections, special requests), payment details (credit/debit card numbers, expiration dates, and billing zip codes processed securely via our payment processors), and billing history.
- Guest Experience Data: Preferences, feedback, survey responses, or information collected in connection with our local guest services, VIP Experience Pass (complimentary attraction and dining tickets), packages, or add-ons.
- Device and Technical Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type, time zone setting, and standard server log data collected automatically when you browse our website.
- Cookies and Tracking Data: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies regarding your browsing behavior, interactions with our pages, and referral sources.
2. How We Collect Your Information
We collect information through:
- Direct Interactions: When you book a stay, fill out contact forms, sign up for newsletters or special offers, create an owner login, or communicate with our customer service team via phone, email, or chat.
- Automated Technologies: As you navigate through our website, cookies and analytics tools automatically gather technical data about your equipment, browsing actions, and patterns.
- Third Parties: We may receive information from business partners, payment gateways, review platforms, or property management systems associated with your bookings.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for various business and commercial purposes, including to:
- Process Reservations: Manage your condo bookings, process payments, send confirmation emails, and coordinate check-in details.
- Provide Guest Services: Facilitate your stay, deliver local perks (such as your VIP Experience Pass and add-ons), and address inquiries or customer service requests.
- Improve Our Website and Services: Analyze website usage trends, monitor technical performance, and optimize our rental listings, layout, and mobile experience.
- Marketing and Communications: Send promotional offers, newsletters, seasonal specials, or updates regarding our properties (you may opt out at any time).
- Legal and Safety Compliance: Protect against fraud, unauthorized transactions, claims, or other liabilities, and comply with applicable laws, industry standards, and legal processes.
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information with trusted third parties under the following circumstances:
- Service Providers: Third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as payment processors, website hosting, email marketing platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and cleaning/maintenance staff.
- Property Owners & Management Partners: Relevant condo owners or on-site management teams when necessary to fulfill your vacation rental reservation or accommodate specific property needs.
- Legal Obligations & Protection: When required by law, subpoena, or legal process, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Highlands of the Smokies, our guests, or others.
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking tools to enhance your browsing experience, remember your preferences, and analyze site traffic.
- Essential Cookies: Required for the operation of the website (e.g., booking carts and secure logins).
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website (e.g., Google Analytics).
- Advertising Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and measure ad campaign performance.
You can set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. Note that disabling cookies may impact certain functionalities of our booking system.
6. SMS/MMS Messaging
Guests agree to receive SMS/MMS messages from our organization for the following purposes:
- Providing Services: To facilitate rental bookings, manage reservations, and communicate with you about your bookings.
- Important Notices: To notify of issues regarding bookings or the resort or to notify of any upcoming events.
You may choose to cancel the SMS/MMS service at any time by texting “STOP”. After you send the SMS message “STOP”, you will receive a confirmation SMS message that you have been unsubscribed and will no longer receive SMS/MMS messages from us.
Carrier message and data rates may apply for any messages you receive or send.
No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
7. Data Security
We implement reasonable and appropriate administrative, technical, and physical security measures designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Your Choices and Privacy Rights
- Marketing Communications: You can opt out of receiving promotional emails from us by clicking the “unsubscribe” link included in our emails or by contacting us directly.
- Access and Correction: You may request to review, update, or correct the personal information we hold about you by reaching out to our office.
- Data Deletion: You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions (such as retaining records required for accounting or tax purposes).
9. Children’s Privacy
Our website and services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate steps to remove such data.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. The updated policy will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions, comments, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
- Company Name: Highlands of the Smokies
- Address: 855 Campbell Lead Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
- Phone: 866-226-9005
- Email: stay@highlandsofthesmokies.com
- Website: https://highlandsofthesmokies.com/