What would you do?

[Old Merc]

Mods, not sure if this should be in holidays and travel.?

Last January I booked a hotel in Lynmouth for next w/end, as I was also booked on the Lyn Valley Classic Show. At that time of the year most of their facilities were closed. Reception told me that the bar and restaurant would be fully open from Easter onwards.

I’ve not heard anything from them since then, until last Saturday 31st May. It was an automated thing from free to book.com telling me the restaurant & Bar facilities are closed, breakfast and dinner will be served at their sister hotel quite a walk away. If I had known this earlier I would have cancelled. Free cancellation ran out on the 31st May, what a surprise.

My wife and I are in our 70’s with mobility issues, so walking back and forth is out of the question.
I’ve emailed & phoned both hotels but they don’t reply, not sure what’s going on. I’ve discovered on Tripadviser that the hotel we are booked at is an “unmanned annex” to the other hotel, very bad reviews.

They have my credit card details, (payment on arrival) so cancelling now or no show will incur full payment.
If I stop my card, register it as lost, they won’t be able to take any funds. Would that leave me open for trouble.
What would you guys do.

[OutInTheShed]

Talk to your card provider?

[dundarach]

OutInTheShed said:

Talk to your card provider?

As above, be totally honest with them, I bet they help!!

[Jazoli]

I’d just stop your card and not show up, when I was involved in hospitality this happened regularly, there’s not a great deal you can do about it as the hotelier.

[GasEngineer]

The same topic is in the current van hire damage thread.

It seems that even if you cancel your credit card they can still charge you for what you are contractually obliged to pay.

Someone reckoned he cancels his credit card every time he hires a car but that appears to be bks.

[Simpo Two]

If he doesn't go he loses his classic car weekend.

I'm not sure the CC company will issue a refund because the hotel has offered an alternative.

OP, how are you getting to the hotel? By car? If so then can you not drive the car to the sister hotel? It might be nicer than the one you booked!

[SydneyBridge]

Is it likely to be a busy weekend in the area, with everything else fully booked?
In which case, you may struggle to find anything better

[ConnectionError]

Jazoli said:

I d just stop your card and not show up, when I was involved in hospitality this happened regularly, there s not a great deal you can do about it as the hotelier.

There will be a pre authorised payment on the card.

Cancelling it won’t stop this charge

[Old Merc]

Thanks for the replies.

After two days of unanswered phone calls and emails I finally spoke to someone, who assured me the booking is cancelled with no charge.
If my card does get charged, what then?

Moderator edit: no naming & shaming

[bad company]

Old Merc said:

Thanks for the replies.

After two days of unanswered phone calls and emails I finally spoke to someone, who assured me the booking is cancelled with no charge.
If my card does get charged, what then?

Moderator edit: no naming & shaming

I don’t see how anyone can answer until and unless it happens.

[boyse7en]

What Hotel is it? I live near Lynmouth, and will likely be at the classic show too

[Old Merc]

boyse7en said:

What Hotel is it? I live near Lynmouth, and will likely be at the classic show too

Sorry I’m not allowed to “Name and Shame”. I left a clue on my last post but the mods have edited it out.
Check out Lynmouth Hotels on Tripadvisor.

[Ruskie]

Surely just take your own breakfast stuff or eat out? I know that’s not what you paid for but if you still need a room and want to go then that is the logical solution.