Privacy & Cookies

Central Hostel Malta(hereinafter “we”, “our” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting guest and website visitor information. This privacy and cookies policy explains how we collect, use, store and safeguard personal data when you use our website, contact us, make a booking enquiry, or stay at our hostel. It also explains how we use cookies and similar technologies to improve site performance, support booking and contact features, and understand how visitors use our site. We encourage you to review this policy regularly so you always know how your information is handled.


Information We Collect

We collect information that helps us operate the hostel, respond to enquiries, manage reservations, and improve the website experience.

Non-personal Information.We may collect non-identifiable data such as browser type, device type, operating system, language preferences, referral source, page visits, clicks, and general usage patterns. This information helps us understand how our site is used and allows us to improve speed, navigation, and content relevance.

Personal Information.We may collect information that can identify you directly or indirectly, including:

  • Device Information:IP address, device identifiers, and approximate location data collected through your browser or device settings.
  • Enquiry Information:When you contact us through the website, we may collect your name, email address, phone number, travel dates, and message details.
  • Booking Information:When you request or complete a booking, we may collect guest names, contact details, stay preferences, arrival information, payment-related details, and other information required to confirm your reservation.
  • Stay and Service Information:During your stay, we may record check-in details, communication preferences, room or dorm allocation, and service requests such as luggage storage, laundry, or tour assistance.

We receive personal information from the following sources:

  • Directly from you when you submit a form, make an enquiry, or complete a reservation;
  • Automatically through your use of our website and related booking tools;
  • From trusted third-party providers that help us deliver website analytics, communications, and reservation services.


How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Manage guest enquiries and reservation requests;
  • Provide booking confirmations, arrival instructions, and stay-related updates;
  • Deliver customer support and respond to service requests;
  • Send important operational messages, including check-in details, service notices, and booking-related reminders;
  • Improve our website, guest communications, and hostel services;
  • Carry out analytics, reporting, and site performance monitoring.


SMS and Text Messaging Policy

We may use text messages to share booking and stay-related information with you. By providing your phone number, you consent to receive service messages from The Central Malta related to your reservation, arrival, or stay.

  • Purpose:SMS may be used to send self check-in instructions, booking confirmations, room readiness updates, access details, and responses to guest requests.
  • Opt-Out:You may opt out of text messages at any time by replying STOPto any message you receive. You will receive a final confirmation message, after which no further SMS messages will be sent unless required for an active reservation or critical service update.
  • Help:If you need assistance, you may reply HELPor contact our front desk directly.
  • Privacy of Mobile Data:Guest mobile information and SMS opt-in data are not shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.


Sharing Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We only share it when necessary to operate the hostel, support our website, or comply with legal obligations. This may include:

  • Service Providers:Trusted providers that help us with bookings, website hosting, analytics, communications, and operational support may process data on our behalf under appropriate confidentiality and security obligations.
  • Legal and Regulatory Requests:We may disclose information when required by law, to protect our legal rights, to respond to lawful requests, or to help prevent fraud or misuse.
  • Business Transfers:If The Central Malta is sold, merged, or reorganized, personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to applicable law.

Note:Guest SMS consent and mobile information are handled separately from marketing data and are not shared for promotional use.


Your Rights

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

  • Request access to personal information we hold about you;
  • Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;
  • Request deletion of your personal information, where permitted by law;
  • Object to or restrict certain processing of your data;
  • Withdraw consent for optional communications, where consent is the legal basis for processing;
  • Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority if you believe your rights have been infringed.

These rights may be subject to legal exceptions and operational requirements, including record keeping related to bookings and guest safety.


Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to provide services, manage bookings, meet legal and accounting obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our policies. Retention periods depend on the type of information collected and the purpose for which it was collected. When information is no longer needed, we delete or anonymize it securely where appropriate.


Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational safeguards to protect the personal information we collect and store. These measures are designed to reduce the risk of unauthorized access, disclosure, misuse, alteration, or loss. While no online system can be guaranteed to be completely secure, we work to maintain appropriate protections and require relevant service providers to uphold comparable standards.


Cookie Statement

Cookie DefinitionCookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help us remember preferences, keep site features working properly, understand how visitors navigate the site, and measure performance so we can improve the experience for future guests and visitors.

Types of CookiesThe Site may use the following types of cookies:

  • Session cookiesstored temporarily while you browse and deleted when you close your browser;
  • Persistent cookieskept for a fixed period to remember preferences and improve your return visits;
  • Third-party cookiesset by trusted services that help us with analytics, booking tools, and site performance monitoring.

Cookies do not usually identify you on their own, but the data we store about you may be linked to cookie information where necessary to support the website and guest services.

We may use analytics tools such as Google Analytics to understand general site usage, including page visits and browsing patterns. This information helps us improve content, usability, and performance. Google Analytics may collect your IP address on the day you visit the site, and we do not use it to identify you personally. Google’s use of this information is governed by its own terms and privacy policies.


Withdrawal of ConsentYou can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. If you disable cookies, some website features may not function as intended, including analytics or convenience features.


Further Information

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal obligations, or cookie practices. Any changes will take effect when the revised policy is posted on this page. Please check back periodically to review the latest version.


Governing Language:The English language version of this policy controls in the event of any inconsistency between translations.


If you have questions about this policy or how your information is handled, please contact The Central Malta through our website or by using the contact details provided on the site.


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