Booking.com - Missed UK holiday due to corona symptoms should I be refunded?

kmassos

So upset that a few days before we were due to go away I became poorly, we informed the hotel as soon as I became ill to give them as much notice as possible to try and move the dates, they refused. I couldn’t get a coronavirus test or result in time for our trip. They were very rude and unhelpful and took our money the day before our trip was due and put us down as a ‘no show’ however I have in writing that they said we couldn’t stay as I was showing symptoms so feel like this is very unfair. My result was negative but I didn’t get it in time for our trip.
Any advice will be appreciated

bradders1983

To be blunt, if the hotel was open and the room was available then it isn't their issue you were ill (or thought you were)
Speak to your travel insurers but I suspect you are on a hiding to nothing here

[Deleted User]

Yes sadly, agree with bradders, if you don't have insurance to cover you, which you probably don't being a UK holiday, then you just have to suck it up.   Think before covid (if you can!) and if you cancelled a few days before, it was just tough!   Obviously IF the hotel were feeling generous they could maybe have offered a rebook but I guess so many struggling they aren't feeling generous at all.   Thankfully your test was negative.

Westin

Agree with the others.
Also perhaps an awakening that given the uncertain times we are in that it is unwise to perhaps book the restrictive non-refundable, non-amendable type fares/rates.  They may be slightly cheaper but you take on the risk (as you have found) that you may lose out if travel plans need to change.

JamoLew

Its a complete 180 on the previous advice on the travel forum about booking the cheapest possible rate and book everything independently rather than through an agent as a package.
Now its: book as a package and make sure you get the cancel-able rate

Thrugelmir

JamoLew said:

Its a complete 180 on the previous advice on the travel forum about booking the cheapest possible rate and book everything independently rather than through an agent as a package.
Now its: book as a package and make sure you get the cancel-able rate

The risk always existed. Although greatly diminished. Cheaper rates made the idea attractive. Scheduled airlines for example can be very expensive even for short haul flights.

mattyprice4004

The hotel was open, you just didn't show up.
Your own affairs aren't those of the hotel; it's not their issue that you were ill. This is the same if it's corona or any other illness. 

If anything, this is an insurance issue.