I Paid for an Hotel Room & Can't Cancel It

[plenkov]

In September 07 I booked and paid for an hotel room, with Choice Hotels, the room was for 8 November 07.

 

On the morning of Wednesday 7 November I discovered that Meatloaf had cancelled his European tour, therefore I immediately contacted the hotel in Nottingham to cancel my room, they said that because I'd booked it on the internet I needed to cancel it on the internet. Which wasn't really convenient as it meant I had to go into work to retrieve my reservation. On my reservation it says that the cancellation deadline had passed so, eventually, I found a number for the UK and phoned them, where I was basically told that because I'd pre-paid the hotel room I couldn't cancel it, I explained the situation but they were having none of it.

 

I only paid for the room in advance because it was easier for me and it was one less expense to worry about.

 

Any ideas if and how I can go about getting my money back or at least the offer of another room within their hotel chain.

[buzby]

As much as I'd like to say this is a slam-dunk, because you only gave 24hrs notice of cancellation, they could argue they did not have an opportunity to re-sell your room. I blame Meatloaf myself, he stated in Newcastle that was going to be his last gig, but the management still said the rest would go on - which they didn't.

 

I travel extensively and re-arrange bookings regularly (usually through LateRooms.Com) and their policy is clear - I can cancel without penalty right up to 48hrs in advance of the booking, but after that, the first night's fee must be paid regardless. Since you were only staying 1 night, there isn't the issue of getting the fee for additional knights back, but whilst the cancellation wasn't your fault, it wasn't the hotel's either, who had your room ready for occupation.

 

A polite email to the booking service explaining the problem, asking for a 1-night credit for some future date might just do the trick, but they're certainly not obliged to.

[shywazz]

Ask yourself the same question, if it were your hotel and someone cancelled the day b4 arrival, would you give them a full refund? think you have found your answer havn't you.

Hotels and B&Bs have various over heads, which when someone cancels, refunds are rarely given, have you read the hotels T&Cs on the matter.

Did you not take any insurance out in the of chance of the gig been cancelled, with many acts cancelling dates alate, it would make sense, or can you not claim the cost from any of your personnel insurances?

As Buzby pointed out, ringing to cancel the night b4, gave zero chance of the room been re-let, hence the hotel would have lost money if there refunded you, which if there did that for every1 i'd think thered go bust b4 too long.