Cookie Policy
1. What this policy covers
This policy explains the cookies and similar storage technologies (including data your browser stores locally, such as localStorage) that aalabu.com uses. Under UK rules on cookies and similar technologies, browser storage of this kind is treated the same way as a cookie, regardless of the exact technical mechanism — so we describe both together here.
2. What we use
- A session cookie, used only to keep the site working correctly as you browse and book — for example, maintaining basic site security while you complete a booking.
- Local browser storage (localStorage) for your booking access (
aalabu_booking_access_v1), used only to remember your own booking access on your device, so you can return to a booking you made without needing an account. This is functional and first-party; it is not used to track you across sites or for advertising. - Local browser storage for your choices (
aalabu_consent_v1), which records whether you accepted or declined analytics, so we do not ask you again on every page. - Local browser storage for analytics de-duplication (
aalabu_ga4_purchase_fired_v1), used only if you have accepted analytics: it notes on your device that a booking confirmation has already been counted, so a repeat visit is not counted twice. It is never sent to us or to Google, and it is deleted if you decline analytics. - Technologies set by our payment provider at the payment step, which we understand to be necessary to process your payment securely and to help prevent fraud. If our payment provider's own technology changes in a way that goes beyond what is necessary for these purposes, we will update this policy accordingly.
3. Analytics
On our search, property, and booking-confirmation pages, we use Google Analytics (GA4) to understand how travellers search and book, so we can improve aAlabu. It records things like the destination searched, dates and guest counts, which property and room/rate you viewed or selected, and the stage of booking you reached. It does not record your name, email address, phone number, booking reference, or payment details — those never leave our own servers.
Analytics is never active until you accept it in the consent banner. If you decline, or don't respond, no analytics cookie or similar technology is set and no analytics data is sent. This site does not itself run any advertising or marketing tag. Where we show public reputation information about a property (such as a rating), that information is retrieved by our own server, not by a script running in your browser — so it does not set a cookie or similar technology on your device.
4. Consent
The session cookie, the booking-access storage and the record of your choices described in section 2 are strictly necessary to provide the service you've asked for (browsing and booking a stay) and to respect your choices, so no consent choice is offered for them. The analytics de-duplication storage is used only with your analytics consent. Analytics (section 3) is different: it is off by default, and only turned on for your browser after you actively accept it. You can change your mind at any time via "Cookie preferences" in the footer of this and other aAlabu pages.
5. Managing storage in your browser
You can control or clear cookies and local storage through your browser's own settings. Clearing local storage may mean you need your booking reference and email to access an existing booking again, and will also clear your analytics consent choice, so the banner will ask again on your next visit.