Hotel deposit - sense check

[swindler]

Hi
I welcome views on this.

In August 2019 I booked a hotel room to go to my friend's wedding which was then scheduled for summer 2020. I paid a £50 "non refundable deposit.

The wedding was postponed, twice, due to covid (terrible timing each time coinciding with lockdowns/restrictions) with my room booking rolling over to the relevant weekend. Since then the couple have fallen out with the hotel - accounts differ but essentially over dramatic price changes - so the wedding which was due to be this coming August has been cancelled altogether (to be arranged elsewhere).

I called to enquire about my booking as I hadn't heard anything and later got an email from the hotel saying "we have duly cancelled it". I'd had no communications to this effect despite booking directly with my own contact details. I asked for my £50 back, to which they pointed out it's non refundable. I said, ok in that case, can we still use the booking, as it's quite a nice seaside hotel, for a break. They replied saying they've sold our room on and the only availability is for a much more expensive suite.

It's not the amount that bothers me particularly but I don't think they can have their cake and eat it - interested in views, or whether I should just let it lie.

M

[Taita]

Seems a bit off to cancel AND keep your money....

Ask to speak to a grown up via phone.

[Ham_and_Jam]

Ask what dates the same room is available. They can’t cancel and keep your money.

[BoRED S2upid]

Who’s decision to cancel? The hotels and you have a case. Yours then they keep the deposit, if it’s tied into the wedding then that’s a mess as I imagine loads of you have lost your deposit.

[Canon_Fodder]

They can't cancel a booking you made and keep your deposit.

That's absurd.

I wouldn't let that lie OP, you're being played for a mug

[ConnectionError]

if you have paid a deposit, you have some contract with them.

I used to hold the deposit and if the room was sold for the same or more I would refund to the original customer.

I think you are right to demand that they honour the booking, or refund.

[loskie]

yes they have a CONTRACT with you

[jeff666]

You've been swindled swindler.

[alexmonkey]

The hotel is in breach of contract by cancelling your booking. You have a claim under the Consumer Rights Act for the full amount of your deposit back, plus any incurred costs.

How did you pay? Credit card, debit card, wads of cash…? :-)

Al

[Monster Mash]

I could understand them keeping your non refundable deposit if you cancelled, but they’re the ones who cancelled the booking so surely they should return the deposit.

I’d be pushing for a refund or them to make an alternative booking and reinstate your deposit