Host cancelling booking.com reservation 3 days before trip.

[x32]

We booked a weekend away in Clarens for this coming weekend, 6 - 9 August, through booking.com

The booking was made on 22 July 2021.

The host contacted me a short while ago to say that she has double booked and will need to cancel. She then said that she will try find something else for us in the area (but it doesn't look promising).

I then contacted booking.com via live chat and the agent said that they will look into it and come back to me within 24 hours.

When I search for available accommodation in Clarens on booking.com it shows nothing available for this weekend.

Has anyone experienced something similar? And, if yes, how was the situation resolved?

 

[WollieVerstege]

Double bookings happens all the time - it is only weird that they only realized it now.. Usually alternative accommodation is provided, but if unavailable, it should be a full refund/credit.
Have to say though never personally experienced it on Lekkeslaap, but twice via Nightsbridge. Was never an issue though.

 

[x32]

Double bookings happens all the time - it is only weird that they only realized it now.. Usually alternative accommodation is provided, but if unavailable, it should be a full refund/credit.
Have to say though never personally experienced it on Lekkeslaap, but twice via Nightsbridge. Was never an issue though.

Yeah, that's what I said to the host... she should have informed us 12 days ago.

They will probably end up giving me a refund but it will be quite annoying as I was looking forward to getting away and now its too late to book anything else.

 

[RanzB]

Yeah, that's what I said to the host... she should have informed us 12 days ago.

They will probably end up giving me a refund but it will be quite annoying as I was looking forward to getting away and now its too late to book anything else.

I wonder if there's something happening there. Check availability now, the prices are bonkers.

 

[Nerfherder]

I wonder if there's something happening there. Check availability now, the prices are bonkers.

View attachment 1119584

Its probably for the long weekend.

Its happened to us before on other booking platforms that if you don't take the entire long weekend they cancel the booking. What may have happened here is someone wanted the entire week so to get the booking they cancel the current booking (you) so that they can get the week booking.

Its really nasty but I also understand that they only get bookings at certain times so have to make the best of it.

 

[x32]

I wonder if there's something happening there. Check availability now, the prices are bonkers.

View attachment 1119584

Is this on Airbnb? I think they jack up the prices right before a long weekend...

 

[supersunbird]

We booked a weekend away in Clarens for this coming weekend, 6 - 9 August, through booking.com

The booking was made on 22 July 2021.

The host contacted me a short while ago to say that she has double booked and will need to cancel. She then said that she will try find something else for us in the area (but it doesn't look promising).

I then contacted booking.com via live chat and the agent said that they will look into it and come back to me within 24 hours.

When I search for available accommodation in Clarens on booking.com it shows nothing available for this weekend.

Has anyone experienced something similar? And, if yes, how was the situation resolved?

Check if there is space at Golden Gate Hotel and Chalets, that is just 25 min drive from Clarens:

Golden Gate Hotel and Chalets

Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north eastern Free State lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

www.thebookingbutton.co.uk

Also other options have space at Golden Gate:

South African National Parks - SANParks - Official Website - Accommodation, Activities, Prices, Reservations

Official Website. Experience the beauty and diversity of South African National Parks, Travel and explore South Africa! Nature Conservation, Accommodation, Activities, Reservations

www.sanparks.org

 

[krycor]

Had something similar happen to me once on AirBnB wherein lady had auto accept on and then on the way there (it was an overnight pit stop) she claimed no room, doesn’t know how to use AirBnB properly etc.

Was annoyed as hell as I had to drive to next stop/in-laws and only got there past midnight..

AirBnB did full refund but yah it sucked and was glad we got there safe as I wasn’t planning on another 6+hrs driving.

Tip: Always conform, over and over indirectly.. ie asking what’s around the area etc.