Booking.com host cancellation

ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

So I’ve been contacted by the host of a property I’m supposed to be staying at with friends as part of a tour. It’s in a very rural area with little other accommodation and has been booked since last year. I’ve now had an email saying the host wants me to cancel. Anyone had this before? Can they even do this? Finding alternate accommodation at short notice will be costly and problematic, probably involving changing the tour route too.

Cheers
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TG.

doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

There could be any number of reasons why they need to cancel it ranging from 'it burned down' to 'we can probably let it for twice as much this year'.
More likely somewhere in between like staffing issues or maybe their own family/health.
It doesn't sound like a hotel chain you might reasonably pressure to offer alternatives, provided they refund any deposit they have at least given reasonable warning.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Ask if they know anywhere of any alternative accommodation.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

From experience, the host can cancel the booking themselves. Had a hotel do it to me in Keswick 2 hours before I was due to check-in. Lucky I hadn't set off or I'd never have known.

So seems odd that they want you to cancel it when they could do it themselves.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

A100man · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

I think it would cost the host to cancel the booking.

https://partner.booking.com/en-gb/community/tips-tricks-more/canceling-overbooked-reservation-host

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

Thanks all. The host has now claimed they had a “bad relationship” with booking.com and instead are now booking only through AirBnB. So I checked it out, musing a direct swap; 50% uplift! They can swivel that one. Didn’t bother hounding it as it’s unlikely to end well either way, so found alternative accommodation instead and cancelled the old one. Not quite as convenient a location, a bit further but nicer spot.

Does make me now wonder about online bookings; I am fortunate (and surprised!) I was able to find an alternative, but if I hadn’t been able to it would have totally screwed up our holiday.
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TG.