My wife and I had made a booking for two nights around 20th January 2011 as part of a big trip to Australia from the UK. Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances we had to cancel our reservation. We had originally made the reservation at the end of November and cancelled the reservation only a week later. We were then informed that unless they could re-sell the chalet for the January date we had booked, we would have to pay one nights accommodation (which arguably it does state in the T&Cs but who really reads the T&Cs). We never heard anything back from the owners and can only assume that despite Jan being a peak period they did not manage to rent out our chalet and no refund was therefore made- although we were never notified either way, and who knows whether it was rented or not, given they have a number of chalets!
Whilst I understand the challenge independent hotel/B&B owners have with cancellations- we cancelled within a week!- and with 7 weeks notice!- Having stayed in 1000s of Hotels/B&Bs I have NEVER come across this kind of condition- perhaps with 24 hrs or 1 weeks notice but 7 weeks- its absurd. I think this is the first complaint I have ever made within hospitality but wanted to warn others and hope that the owners understand this is not the way to treat potential guests- we would without doubt have spent the money another time and stayed with you, but not now. Shame.
