Hotel refund

Fourstars59

Hi,
If I cancelled a hotel booking 48 hours before a stay due to awful reviews, should I be able to get my money back?
We were taking children and the reviews mentioned drug taking, unsafe bunk beds for children, filthy dirty rooms etc. (We only noticed these after booking).
We wanted to find an alternative, more suitable hotel so went through booking.com who contacted the hotel on our behalf but a refund was refused. As we didn't stay or use their services, could I submit a charge back claim through my bank?
Thank you

Ayr_Rage

Unless you booked a fully refundable rate you are not entitled to a refund for a change of mind.

You do not have a claim against the bank either as the accommodation was available for your use.

MyRealNameToo

Fourstars59 said:

Hi,
If I cancelled a hotel booking 48 hours before a stay due to awful reviews, should I be able to get my money back?
We were taking children and the reviews mentioned drug taking, unsafe bunk beds for children, filthy dirty rooms etc. (We only noticed these after booking).
We wanted to find an alternative, more suitable hotel so went through booking.com who contacted the hotel on our behalf but a refund was refused. As we didn't stay or use their services, could I submit a charge back claim through my bank?
Thank you

Was it advertised as refundable if cancelled within 48 hours?

Where is the hotel? The legal jurisdiction of the agreement will determine what statutory rights you may have if any. 

Your bank won't cover you for deciding not to use the hotel you chose to book. 

TELLIT01

In theory the hotel should only retain enough of the payment to cover their additional costs, assuming they resell the room.  The obvious problem is proving that room and every other room in the hotel was occupied.

Ectophile

Unless you have a flexible refundable booking, then no.  You were buying specific accommodation on a specific date, and it was your decision not to go.  The usual 14 day change of mind rule doesn't apply.

Fourstars59

MyRealNameToo said:

Fourstars59 said:

Hi,
If I cancelled a hotel booking 48 hours before a stay due to awful reviews, should I be able to get my money back?
We were taking children and the reviews mentioned drug taking, unsafe bunk beds for children, filthy dirty rooms etc. (We only noticed these after booking).
We wanted to find an alternative, more suitable hotel so went through booking.com who contacted the hotel on our behalf but a refund was refused. As we didn't stay or use their services, could I submit a charge back claim through my bank?
Thank you

Was it advertised as refundable if cancelled within 48 hours?

Where is the hotel? The legal jurisdiction of the agreement will determine what statutory rights you may have if any. 

Your bank won't cover you for deciding not to use the hotel you chose to book. 

I will have to double check the cancellation policy. The hotel was in Blackpool.
We probably can't get our money back but I just wondered if it would be looked at differently if the hotel was an unsafe environment for children. I will be sure to be more careful when booking in the future.

Ayr_Rage

Fourstars59 said:

MyRealNameToo said:

Fourstars59 said:

Hi,
If I cancelled a hotel booking 48 hours before a stay due to awful reviews, should I be able to get my money back?
We were taking children and the reviews mentioned drug taking, unsafe bunk beds for children, filthy dirty rooms etc. (We only noticed these after booking).
We wanted to find an alternative, more suitable hotel so went through booking.com who contacted the hotel on our behalf but a refund was refused. As we didn't stay or use their services, could I submit a charge back claim through my bank?
Thank you

Was it advertised as refundable if cancelled within 48 hours?

Where is the hotel? The legal jurisdiction of the agreement will determine what statutory rights you may have if any. 

Your bank won't cover you for deciding not to use the hotel you chose to book. 

I will have to double check the cancellation policy. The hotel was in Blackpool.
We probably can't get our money back but I just wondered if it would be looked at differently if the hotel was an unsafe environment for children. I will be sure to be more careful when booking in the future.

Proving it was unsafe without being there is almost impossible.

MyRealNameToo

You're going on unverified rumours from strangers, for all you know it may be a great place and its one of its competitors trying to spread malicious disinformation. 

A new tap room opened up not far from us a while back and it was great. Unfortunately the well established chain pub who'd enjoyed a monopoly was getting staff and regulars to log complaints about the new place and after 3 inspections from the council licensing team they quit and shut up shop which was a real shame as they were better and cheaper but big chains have big budgets and can force people out. 

Mark_d

Fourstars59 said:

MyRealNameToo said:

Fourstars59 said:

Hi,
If I cancelled a hotel booking 48 hours before a stay due to awful reviews, should I be able to get my money back?
We were taking children and the reviews mentioned drug taking, unsafe bunk beds for children, filthy dirty rooms etc. (We only noticed these after booking).
We wanted to find an alternative, more suitable hotel so went through booking.com who contacted the hotel on our behalf but a refund was refused. As we didn't stay or use their services, could I submit a charge back claim through my bank?
Thank you

Was it advertised as refundable if cancelled within 48 hours?

Where is the hotel? The legal jurisdiction of the agreement will determine what statutory rights you may have if any. 

Your bank won't cover you for deciding not to use the hotel you chose to book. 

I will have to double check the cancellation policy. The hotel was in Blackpool.
We probably can't get our money back but I just wondered if it would be looked at differently if the hotel was an unsafe environment for children. I will be sure to be more careful when booking in the future.

Your children were never at risk.

If you entered the room, reported unsafe beds and the matter was not rectified, then you would have a case for compensation/refund.

Alderbank

There is a difference between a hotel being unsafe and an anonymous reviewer on Tripadvisor saying they thought it was unsafe.

Health & Safety enforcement in hotels and other accommodation is a major responsibility for Blackpool Council. Hotels are licensed and regularly inspected and not infrequently are prosecuted at Preston Magistrates Court.

Blackpool today has more than its fair share of social problems.
There are some people (I'm not one of them) who say that Blackpool is an unsafe environment for children.

TELLIT01

Hotel part of the Britannia group by any chance?