Privacy & Cookie Policy

This policy is drafted in accordance with EU Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR). Last updated: January 2025.

1. Data Controller

Sunflower Backpacker Hostels
Beach Hostel — Via Siracusa, 25 — Rimini (RN) 47900 — Italy
City Hostel — Via Dardanelli, 102 — Rimini (RN) 47900 — Italy
Email: info@sunflowerhostel.com

2. What Data We Collect

Our website collects a minimal amount of data. Specifically:

• Browsing data (Google Analytics): we collect anonymous and aggregated data about how visitors use our website via Google Analytics (anonymised IP address, pages visited, duration of visit, device type). This data cannot be used to personally identify any individual user.
• Contact form submissions: when you send us a message through our contact form (name, email address, message), this data is delivered to our email inbox and a backup copy is stored on the website server. It is not shared with any third party and is not used for marketing purposes.

We do not collect payment data, we do not handle direct bookings through this website, and we do not create user profiles.

3. How We Use Your Data

• Contact form submissions: your data is used solely to respond to your enquiry. The server backup copy is kept for technical purposes only (to prevent accidental loss of your message) and is not analysed or processed for any other reason.
• Google Analytics: aggregated browsing data is used to understand how visitors interact with our website and to improve its content and performance.

We do not use your data to send commercial communications, newsletters or promotional offers.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

• Contact form submissions: pre-contractual measures taken at the request of the data subject (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR) — in practice, replying to your enquiry.
• Google Analytics: consent of the user (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR), given via the cookie banner on your first visit to the site.

5. Data Retention

• Contact form messages: retained in our email inbox and server backup for as long as necessary to handle your request, and in any case no longer than 12 months from receipt.
• Google Analytics data: retained for 26 months in line with standard Google Analytics settings, after which it is automatically deleted.

You may request deletion of your data at any time by emailing info@sunflowerhostel.com.

6. Cookies

We use only two categories of cookies:

• Technical cookies: strictly necessary for the website to function (e.g. session management, language preferences). These do not require consent.
• Third-party analytics cookies (Google Analytics): collect anonymous data about browsing behaviour. These are only activated after you give your consent via the cookie banner.

We do not use profiling cookies, marketing cookies or advertising pixels (e.g. Facebook Pixel, Google Ads).

How to Manage Cookies

You can refuse analytics cookies via the banner on your first visit, or manage them at any time through your browser settings:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Apple Safari
• Microsoft Edge

You can also opt out of Google Analytics globally by installing the browser add-on: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

7. Third Parties

The only third party that receives browsing data is Google LLC, via Google Analytics. Google acts as a data processor and any transfer of data to the USA is governed by the Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission. For more details, please refer to Google’s Privacy Policy.

We do not share your data with any other third party.

8. Your Rights

Under Articles 15–22 of the GDPR, you have the right to:

• Access: find out what data we hold about you.
• Rectification: have inaccurate or incomplete data corrected.
• Erasure: request that your data be deleted.
• Restriction: request that processing be suspended in certain circumstances.
• Objection: object to processing based on legitimate interest.
• Portability: receive your data in a machine-readable format.
• Withdrawal of consent: withdraw your consent at any time (e.g. for analytics cookies), without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.

To exercise any of these rights, please email info@sunflowerhostel.com with the subject line “Personal Data Request”. We will respond within 30 days of receiving your request.

9. Terms and Conditions of Use

9.1 Acceptance

By using this website you confirm that you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, please do not use the site.

9.2 Website Content

All content on this website (text, images, logos, graphics) is the property of Sunflower Backpacker Hostels or is used under licence. Reproduction, distribution or commercial use without prior written authorisation is strictly prohibited.

9.3 Bookings

Prices and availability shown on this website are for information purposes only. Bookings are handled through external platforms (e.g. Booking.com, Hostelworld) which apply their own terms and conditions. Sunflower Backpacker Hostels is not responsible for any issues arising from bookings made through third-party platforms.

9.4 Limitation of Liability

Sunflower Backpacker Hostels does not guarantee that this website will be free from errors or interruptions. The site is provided “as is” and we accept no liability for any direct or indirect damages arising from the use of, or inability to use, this website.

9.5 Links to External Sites

This website may contain links to third-party websites. These links are provided for the convenience of users and do not imply any endorsement of or responsibility for the content of those sites.

9.6 Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions are governed by Italian law. Any dispute relating to the use of this website or the interpretation of these terms shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Rimini.

10. Complaints

If you believe that the processing of your personal data infringes the GDPR, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority. In Italy this is the Garante per la protezione dei dati personali:

Piazza Venezia, 11 — 00187 Rome — Italy
www.garanteprivacy.it
garante@gpdp.it

If you are based outside Italy, you may also contact the data protection authority of your country of residence.