Cookie Policy

What cookies and local storage are

Cookies are small text files that a website stores in your browser, and local storage is a similar browser feature that lets a site remember information between visits without sending it to a server on every request. Together they allow the site to remember things such as your consent choices and the hotels you have saved.

This policy explains which categories we use on Browntravels, why, and how you stay in control. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we handle personal data more generally.

The categories we use

We group cookies and similar technologies into four categories. Only the first is essential; everything else runs solely with your consent.

• Strictly necessary: required for the site to function and to remember the consent choices you have made. These cannot be switched off, because without them the site cannot respect your preferences.
• Analytics: help us understand how the site is used — which pages are read, where visitors come from and where the site could be improved. This data is aggregated and is never used to identify individual readers.
• Marketing: used to measure the effectiveness of any campaigns that bring readers to Browntravels and to limit how often promotional content is shown. We do not use marketing cookies to sell your data or to build advertising profiles for third parties.
• Personalisation: remember your on-site preferences, such as saved favourite hotels, so the site feels consistent between visits.

The consent banner and granular controls

When you first visit Browntravels you will see a consent banner. It lets you accept all categories, reject all non-essential categories, or open granular controls to switch each category on or off individually. Nothing beyond strictly necessary storage runs until you have made a choice.

Your decision is stored in your browser so we do not have to ask on every visit. Declining non-essential cookies does not restrict your access to any content on the site.

Changing your preferences

You can change your mind at any time. Use the cookie preferences link in the site footer to reopen the granular controls and update your choices; the change takes effect immediately.

You can also manage or delete cookies and local storage through your browser settings. Be aware that clearing browser storage will remove your saved favourites and your consent record, so you will be asked to choose again on your next visit.

Local storage for favourites and consent

Two features of Browntravels rely on local storage rather than traditional cookies. Your cookie consent choices are stored locally so the site knows what you have agreed to, and the hotels you mark as favourites are stored locally so your shortlist is waiting for you when you return.

If you are not signed in, favourites live only in your browser and are never transmitted to us. If you create an optional account, favourites can be synced to your account so they follow you across devices; that synced data is handled as described in our Privacy Policy.

Questions

If you have any questions about this policy or about how we use cookies and local storage, email us at hello@browntravels.org and we will be happy to help.