A Farmhouse Booking Glossary: Slots, Add-Ons, Deposits and More

Booking a farmhouse in Hyderabad comes with its own vocabulary. Hosts talk about slots, base guests and deposits; listings mention add-ons, sit-outs and power backup. If you're new to it, some of these terms can be confusing, and a misunderstanding can mean a surprise on the day.

This glossary explains the words you'll see most often, grouped by stage of the booking. Exact terms and policies vary by farmhouse, so always read the specific listing and confirm anything important on WhatsApp.

Booking and availability terms

Live availability

A calendar or date picker that shows whether a farmhouse is free on your chosen dates. On farmhouses with online booking, you see this before you pay. Our explainer on how live availability works goes into detail.

Online booking

Paying for and confirming a farmhouse directly on its page, with the live price for your dates.

Booking request

A free enquiry for your dates and group. The team checks with the host and confirms on WhatsApp. A request does not reserve the farmhouse until it is confirmed.

Whole-property booking

The farmhouse, pool and lawns are for your group only. No other guests share the property during your booking. This is what "private farmhouse" means.

Timing terms

Day use or day slot

A booking for part of a day, typically morning to evening, without staying overnight. Exact hours vary by farmhouse.

Night stay

A booking that includes overnight use, usually from an afternoon or evening check-in to a next-morning check-out. Good for bonfires, stargazing and a relaxed breakfast. See the night stay farmhouses page.

Full day or 24-hour booking

Use of the property across a whole day and night. Some farmhouses offer this as a single option.

Check-in and check-out

The start and end times of your booking. Arriving early or leaving late is not guaranteed and may cost extra, depending on the farmhouse.

Extension

Adding hours or a night to an existing booking, if the farmhouse is free. Ask early rather than on the day.

Money terms

Base price or rent

The price for the farmhouse for your chosen dates and slot, shown live on the farmhouse page. Weekend and festival dates are usually priced higher than weekdays.

Base guest count

The number of guests included in the base price. Above this, some farmhouses charge per extra person, and all have a maximum.

Extra guest charge

The fee for each guest beyond the base count. Whether it applies, and how much, varies by farmhouse.

Security deposit

A refundable amount some farmhouses collect to cover damage or rule breaches. Ask when and how it's returned. Our guide to security deposits has the details.

Advance or token amount

A part payment to confirm a booking, with the balance paid later. Practices vary.

Cancellation policy

The rules for refunds if you cancel. Each farmhouse sets its own, shown on its page. Read the site's cancellation policy before you pay.

Add-ons and services

Add-ons

Optional extras at an added cost, such as a cook, decorations, a DJ setup, a bonfire, or barbecue equipment. Availability varies.

Caretaker

The person who manages the farmhouse on site. They open up, show you around, handle the pool and power, and are your first contact for any issue.

Cook on request

Some farmhouses can arrange a cook for your group, usually with you providing or paying for groceries. Confirm this in advance.

Outside food or catering

Whether you can bring your own food or caterer. Most guests can, but rules vary by farmhouse.

Property and amenity terms

• Private pool: A pool used only by your group. Check depth if you have non-swimmers.
• Kids' pool: A shallow pool or section for children.
• Box cricket: A netted cricket pitch, popular with groups. See farmhouses with box cricket.
• Lawn: Open grass area for games, dining or events.
• Sit-out or gazebo: A covered outdoor seating area.
• Power backup: A generator or inverter that keeps power running during cuts. Ask what it covers, since some backups run lights and fans but not AC.
• AC rooms: Air-conditioned bedrooms. Count them if you are staying overnight in summer.

House rule terms

• Music cut-off: The time loud music must stop.
• Pet policy: Whether dogs or other pets are allowed.
• Alcohol policy: Whether alcohol is allowed. Events serving alcohol may need permissions under local rules, and the host's rules apply.
• Decoration rules: What you may stick, hang or set up, and what must be removed.

Location terms

ORR

The Outer Ring Road around Hyderabad. Many farmhouse areas, including Shamshabad, Patancheru, Ghatkesar and Pedda Amberpet, sit near ORR exits, which makes travel times more predictable.

Area or belt

A cluster of farmhouses in one direction from the city, such as Moinabad in the west or Shamirpet in the north. Each has a hub page listing its live farmhouses.

Approximate distance

Distances on listings are rough guides. Actual drive time depends on your starting point, traffic and the last stretch of village road, so leave a buffer.

Location pin

The exact map location, usually shared after booking. Save it offline before you leave the city in case mobile signal drops near the property.

Terms people often mix up

• Advance vs deposit: an advance is part of the rent; a deposit is held separately and returned if all is well.
• Booking request vs booking: a request is a free enquiry; a booking is confirmed and reserves the date.
• Maximum guests vs base guests: the base is what the price includes; the maximum is the hard limit, whatever you are willing to pay.

Put the glossary to work

Now that the terms make sense, open any listing on our farmhouses page, check the live price and availability, and note anything you need to confirm. A short WhatsApp question on deposit, guest count or timings usually clears up the rest.