Hotel Cancellation Rights...do we have any in this case?

kajstring24

I managed to get a refund on a train ticket that I couldn't use as I was ill on the day of the journey. Normally the company doesn't offer refunds but they took pity, I got lucky but I wouldn't have got it if I didn't ask.

It's worth a try.

hcb42

what are the terms of booking?

Did you pay a deposit to the hotel direct? If so I would expect you lose that but not the balance, although I know some hotels do invoke these kinds of cancellations on special rate rooms (my last group did it that way).
Or did you book through a high street TA?

Your consumer rights are around the terms of the booking, not the reasons why you cannot go.

Zandoni

I'd tell the hotel that you have changed your mind and you will now be going.

That way the hotel doesn't get the money twice if they re-book the room and it gives you time to sell to another guest.

arcon5

Are there any perks in the room? Free bottle of wine or free food or something?

As if you have to pay for it anyway, maybe not cancel and let others receive the benefits .

Or find a local pimp and offer it for cheap

LuciusC11

We did not pay any deposit. It is quite a strange set up:

The bride and groom have hired out the hotel, but instead of paying the entire bill, and then collecting money from each guest, each guest must pay the hotel directly on departure. In order to confirm our names on the list, our bank details where given to the hotel, although no money has been taken. Now that we have been removed from the guest list, the hotel have attempted to take the full payment, although it failed because funds were yet to be transferred to the account. Given that they have already attempted to take payment, I get the feeling that it is a lost cause, as I suspect they will argue that cancellation was within the 8 weeks cut off period. They cannot sell the room to anyone else, as the hotel is reserved for the wedding party...

Flyboy152

fluffnutter wrote: »

Arrange it quickly

OP, seriously, do not follow this advice. Insurance fraud is illegal and could end up with you staying at a hotel of a different nature.

Flyboy152

LuciusC11 wrote: »

Hi All,

Long story short, our friend has booked out an entire hotel in Italy for her wedding. Each guest is to pay the hotel directly, for their 2 nights stay. Cancellations within 8 weeks of arrival are non-refundable. The bill is to be settled on departure from the hotel. My partner is heavily pregnant, and, due to a bit of a rocky pregnancy, has not been granted permission by her doctor to fly. So, as a result, we can no longer attend, and gave notice to the hotel within 7 weeks of arrival. The hotel has since sent us an invoice for the full balance of two nights stay.

This is all fair, and as expected, but we are wondering if we have a case to argue this, because it is due to unforeseen events, and can be strongly backed up by a letter from our doctor, stating that my partner can no longer fly. Is there chance that we have consumer rights in this case? Or is it a case of hoping that hotel are compassionate?

Kind regards

In order for the hotel to charge you the full price, they would have to prove that they cannot fill the room at the time you have booked.

arcon5

Flyboy152 wrote: »

In order for the hotel to charge you the full price, they would have to prove that they cannot fill the room at the time you have booked.

How do you prove you cannot fill a room? :huh:

They would have a duty to mitigate their losses, so trying to fill the room -- but failing to do so at short notice, they would have a case for charging them in full.

Also remember they are in Italy, not sure the same rules apply?
Even if they do, good luck enforcing them

arcon5

LuciusC11 wrote: »

The bride and groom have hired out the hotel, but instead of paying the entire bill, and then collecting money from each guest, each guest must pay the hotel directly on departure. In order to confirm our names on the list, our bank details where given to the hotel, although no money has been taken. Now that we have been removed from the guest list, the hotel have attempted to take the full payment, although it failed because funds were yet to be transferred to the account. Given that they have already attempted to take payment, I get the feeling that it is a lost cause, as I suspect they will argue that cancellation was within the 8 weeks cut off period. They cannot sell the room to anyone else, as the hotel is reserved for the wedding party...

This way guests are committed to going and if they don't go, or if they damage the room, not pay their bill afterwards ect then the bride & groom won't be left with a hefty bill which they have to pay or won't have to chase guests for the money.

:T to the bride/groom. IMO well thought out plan

fluffnutter

ShaneUK wrote: »

I strongly recommend AGAINST taking that advice. That was be fraudulent, and could land yourself in a lot of trouble with any time of insurance in the future.

Flyboy152 wrote: »

OP, seriously, do not follow this advice. Insurance fraud is illegal and could end up with you staying at a hotel of a different nature.

Jeez, did either of you read post #9? Which, incidentally was posted well before both of these comments? Lying to insurance companies is fraud? Fraud is illegal? No way! Who'd have thought it.