Hotel Won't Refund - How to Claim

Gordo2309

Hi. We had our honeymoon booked at a Hotel in Sorrento, 'Hotel Belair Sorrento' Italy and were due to be there from the 28th June 2020 until 5th July 2020. Due to COVID, our flights got cancelled both to and from Italy and there was no firm evidence that our hotel was actually open. FCO travel advice also was for all but essential travel to during this time. Our hotel refused to give us a refund and we have seen articles online that they were due to open after our booked stay (Mid-July) Sorrento Press Website
They offered voucher that would last 18months but our wedding was cancelled and venue now in administration, so we cannot confidently know when we'd go to Italy.
Can anyone advise/share something similar as to what they have done to get this claimed for? We have started a claim with our bank and done the initial work with our travel insurance too.

Thanks in advance

[Deleted User]

That's all you can do Gordo.   Ask your bank and travel insurance (obviously you won't get refunded twice)  But so long as your hotel was not open and therefore unable to supply 'the goods' you should be successful in one of your claims, possibly a chargeback?   Shame your wedding had to be cancelled - here's to a great 2021!

macman

Was this a package booking, or separate flights and accom? If so, you can get a full refund within 14 days, whether the hotel opened or not.
Assuming it was not, then to do a successful chargeback you'd need some reasonable evidence that the service could not be provided, because the hotel was shut. If the hotel was open, then you have no chance of a refund or chargeback.
Exhaust chargeback and S75  rotes before you resort to travel insurance, they'll expect that before they'll consider your claim.

Gordo2309

Yeah it was a separate hotel booked. Nothing on social media showed it was opened during the time we wee meant to stay. Hopefully our Credit card bank claim will come out with something. Need to wait 45 days for a response from Halifax 😭

Thanks