Hotel Refusing Refund

Alan_Bowen

With a cost of £6K I would assume it was paid by card, the hotel may well be in serious financial difficulties, the IOM government took lockdown very seriously and closed the borders, so the hotel probably has nothing to pay back with, so I think a chargeback is the only option. Usually, they must be made within 120 days of the car being processsed which would mean it was already too late if payment was made in March, but you could run the argument that the 120 days runs from the date of arrival at the end of May but don't wait too much longer.

sheramber

The races were cancelled 16th March 2020 and when I approached hotel for refund they were still open and refused refund or alternation dates next year.
Did the OP cancel then as he asked for a refund?
If so, whether the hotel was open or not   later on is irrelevant as the OP had already cancelled.

Hasbeen

mjm3346 said:

Hasbeen said:

Joyce140 said:

I booked hotel in Isle of Man for TT Races.   The races were cancelled 16th March 2020 and when I approached hotel for refund they were still open and refused refund or alternation dates next year.  On 25th March thehotel was put into lockdown and I again rang the hotel and they again refused refund or transfer booking to 2021 TT Race time.  Since then I have rang hotel and written to CEO requesting refund but they refuse stating they are waiting for Isle of Man Governnent to compensate them before they will refund.  I believe they should be refunding my money (nearly £6,000) am I correct?  I have threatened them with going to small claims court but is there a quicker way to get my money baack?

Sorry: I would say reading at what you have said you are incorrect.  

The hotel was open on the 16th until the 25th March.

You decided not to go. Your choice. 

The hotel would not be interested in TT races, but the fact a customer had booked, did not turn up and then wanted a refund?

Even if the Isle of Man Government compensated them for the time closed / lost bookings, that the hotel would have to refund to customers that booked dates during the hotels lockdown period.
I would think it unlikely that in your circumstances you would be due a refund.  Especially if the booking was non-refundable?

Your only hope from the hotel is a goodwill gesture. But depends on your dialogue with hotel to date if they feel charitable?

How did you pay? Debit / Credit card?   Was there any insurance involved? For a trip worth nearly £6000. I would certainly hope so?

The booking was for the TT races so the dates would have been around "The TT races are run from the end of May until mid June." so the hotel being opened or closed in March doesn't matter (the March 16 date is simply when the races were cancelled which was well in advance of when they were due to be run)

Agree, Did not know dates of TT races, assumed from OPs post it started on the 16th. 
But it appears the OP did contact the hotel around the 16th March and cancelled? The hotel was open at that time.

The island closed to visitors on the 27th March.

In hindsight the OP perhaps should have waited, but everything was uncertain. The OP decided to cancel, perhaps not so good.

Similar to people who cancelled their holidays when hotels were open and planes were flying, refund problems.
A few days? later hotels closed no flights etc, refunds ok.

Still off the opinion though, that the OP perhaps cancelled to early? and hotel would be entitled to not refund if that is part of the conditions?

But:
The hotel do say they will refund, when paid by the IOM scheme so that is positive step. As long as the hotel is financially stable.

Would suggest to OP to wait and see what outcome / refund amount is. At this moment do not see a quicker way of getting any refund?

Joyce140

I did not cancel just contacted hotel to see what they intended to do and then when hotel closed I contacted for refund or alternative dates next year.  Both were refused.

Joyce140

bagand96 said:

Was the hotel open or closed on the dates you should have stayed?

Was your booking non-refundable or was it flexible?

The hotel closed 25th March and the TT Races are in June I had booked for 5/6/20 to 13/6/20

[Deleted User]

Sadly it is all about timing Joyce.   You said in your original post you requested a refund when the hotel was still open?  and then again when you knew it was closed.   If they cancelled your booking in the first instance then what were the terms and conditions of booking?   Surely it would not be 100% of cost.  Did you book a flexi rate?  or was it specifically non-refundable? £6,000 sounds a heck of a lot on a non flexible booking (unless there were a lot more people on booking)   

As they haven't said they are not going to refund you though, which as someone says, is hopeful.   Keep dropping them an email from time to time.     If they don't follow through you may just be able to claim on your insurance so check what it covers (although if you cancelled as opposed to hotel cancelling it might be knocked back).

Hope it works out good for you.

Joyce140

sheramber said:

The races were cancelled 16th March 2020 and when I approached hotel for refund they were still open and refused refund or alternation dates next year.
Did the OP cancel then as he asked for a refund?
If so, whether the hotel was open or not   later on is irrelevant as the OP had already cancelled.

No on 16th March we enquired and were told as hotel open they could honour the booking so no refund or transfer of booking to 2021.  I had to accept this but when the hotel closed on 25th March due to covid 19 I again contacted them to see what action they were taking against my booking of 5th June and again they refused refund or alternative date in 2021.  In July I rang hotel again and were told they were waiting for IOM government to offer compensation to hotels etc affected by virus.  I wrote to CEO on 22nd July and his response was be patient still waiting for IOM assistance.

[Deleted User]

Joyce140 said:

sheramber said:

The races were cancelled 16th March 2020 and when I approached hotel for refund they were still open and refused refund or alternation dates next year.
Did the OP cancel then as he asked for a refund?
If so, whether the hotel was open or not   later on is irrelevant as the OP had already cancelled.

No on 16th March we enquired and were told as hotel open they could honour the booking so no refund or transfer of booking to 2021.  I had to accept this but when the hotel closed on 25th March due to covid 19 I again contacted them to see what action they were taking against my booking of 5th June and again they refused refund or alternative date in 2021.  In July I rang hotel again and were told they were waiting for IOM government to offer compensation to hotels etc affected by virus.  I wrote to CEO on 22nd July and his response was be patient still waiting for IOM assistance.

Ahhhh I see Joyce, just answered my questions above as well.    In that case you will just have to be patient because I don't think there is any quicker way to get your refund.

Just wondering if there is any mileage in approaching your card company to see if you can chargeback ( on the basis you didn't receive the goods (hotel closed) and they are dragging their feet in refunding?    They may throw it out as there is a promise there but you could try?