Cookies Policy – Sitara Retreat Kenya
Last updated: 30/11/2025
Sitara Retreat Kenya (“we,” “our,” “us”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to provide a secure, personalized, and optimized browsing experience for all visitors. This Cookies Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences in compliance with data protection regulations, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your computer, tablet, or mobile device when you visit a website. They help websites recognize your device, remember your preferences, and understand how users interact with the website.
Cookies may be:
- Session cookies: Automatically deleted when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies: Stored until they expire or are manually deleted.
- First-party cookies: Set directly by our website.
- Third-party cookies: Set by external services (e.g., analytics, advertising networks).
2. Types of Cookies We Use
We use several types of cookies to operate and improve our website:
2.1 Essential / Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are required for the website to function properly. They allow you to:
- Navigate between pages
- Access secure areas
- Perform bookings
- Enable payment processing
- Load core website features
Without these cookies, the site may not operate correctly.
Examples include:
- Session identifiers
- Security tokens
- Payment gateway cookies
2.2 Performance & Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand:
- How many people visit our site
- Which pages are most popular
- How visitors navigate the website
- Time spent on each page
- Technical performance issues
We use these insights to improve usability and optimize our layout.
Examples may include cookies from:
- Google Analytics
- Meta Pixel
- Search console tracking tools
All analytics data is anonymized where possible.
2.3 Functional Cookies
These cookies enhance your browsing experience by remembering:
- Language preferences
- Region and currency (e.g., KES)
- Login details (if applicable)
- Previously viewed pages or items
- Booking preferences
They ensure a smooth and personalized experience for returning visitors.
2.4 Marketing & Advertising Cookies
These cookies track:
- How you interact with ads
- Which marketing channels you come from
- Booking behavior after clicking ads
- Browsing patterns across devices
- Retargeting for ads on Google, Meta, etc.
They help us deliver relevant advertisements and measure marketing performance.
Examples may include:
- Google Ads cookies
- Meta/Facebook Pixel
- TripAdvisor or OTA tracking pixels (if enabled)
Marketing cookies are not activated without your consent (GDPR requirement).
3. Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies to:
- Provide a secure and functional website
- Offer personalized content and recommendations
- Improve page loading speed and performance
- Analyze website traffic and visitor behavior
- Support booking functionality and checkouts
- Improve marketing relevance and effectiveness
- Understand and improve user experience
We do not use cookies to store sensitive personal data such as passport numbers, payment card details, or passwords.
4. GDPR & International Compliance
For visitors from the EU, UK, or regions with strict privacy laws:
4.1 Consent Requirements
Under GDPR, cookies that are not strictly necessary require explicit user consent before activation.
This includes analytics, functional, and marketing cookies.
Your consent will be:
- Requested through a cookie banner
- Logged and stored securely
- Changeable at any time
4.2 Right to Withdraw Consent
You may withdraw your consent to non-essential cookies at any time using:
- The “Cookie Settings” link in the footer
- Your browser settings
- A request via our contact page
4.3 Data Processing & Third-Party Services
Some cookies involve third-party processors who may store data in the EU, UK, or other regions.
We only work with services that comply with GDPR-level standards, including:
- Data minimization
- Encryption
- Secure transfer protocols
- Data processing agreements (DPAs)
5. Managing Cookies
You have complete control over your cookie preferences.
5.1 Via Cookie Banner
You can:
- Accept all cookies
- Reject all non-essential cookies
- Customize which cookies to allow
5.2 Via Browser Settings
Most browsers allow you to:
- Disable cookies entirely
- Delete existing cookies
- Block third-party cookies
- Set site-specific permissions
Note: Disabling essential cookies may affect booking functionality, page loading, checkout flow, and site usability.
5.3 Opt-Out from Specific Providers
You can also opt out of certain analytics and advertising cookies:
- Google Analytics Opt-Out: Google Opt-Out Browser Add-on
- Google Ads Preferences: Google Ads Settings
- Meta/Facebook Ads: Facebook Ad Preferences
6. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect:
- Website improvements
- Legal changes
- New technologies
- Updated cookie usage
The latest version will always be available on this page.
7. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our Cookies Policy or your data rights, contact us at:
Sitara Retreat Kenya
Email: reservations@sitararetreatkenya.com
Phone: +254 745 448966
Location: Diani, Kenya
Website: www.sitararetreatkenya.com