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Hastings Hotel Europa Belfast refunds for non-refundable reservations?

The RS Best of Ireland in 14 Days tour I was on for 8 - 21 May ends at the Hastings Europa Hotel in Belfast. I made reservations for 2 nights in the same room following the end of the tour.

That tour has been cancelled, and both UK and US travel has been severely restricted.

Of course, I paid the £234 in advance and that was a non-refundable, non-transferable price -- back in November.

I went to the Hastings reservation website and saw this:

"Following the recent Government announcement regarding COVID-19, it is with regret that we must temporarily suspend our hotel services. This measure has been taken in the interest of both our staff and guest safety which are of the utmost importance to us.

If you are due to visit us between now and the end of May 2020 your reservation will automatically be cancelled. If you have prepaid a deposit this will be held over for use on a later date."

I sent an email asking if a refund for the 2 nights might be possible under the current circumstances and received an automatic reply with minimal additional information: "Thank you for your email our offices are open. Due to the current situation it may take us longer to reply than usual, we will get back to you as soon as we can."

Has anyone made it through this particular maze this sping, arrived at the end and found a refund there? One can always hope.

Posted by
16538 posts

If you are due to visit us between now and the end of May 2020 your
reservation will automatically be cancelled. If you have prepaid a
deposit this will be held over for use on a later date
."

Lo, doesn't this answer the refund question?

Posted by
4183 posts

It wasn't a deposit. It was the full price for 2 nights.

Word-picky, I know, but I've seen enough info on vouchers and refunds, both generous and meager, that I've learned to pay close attention to the words.

However this may work out, holding over for a future date may not be possible for me.

I was hoping someone had a similar experience with this hotel group and could say what happened with them.

Posted by
8880 posts

I would still consider what you paid as a deposit, just a large one. However, what any of us think is immaterial, just how the hotel views the situation. Best of luck to you.

Posted by
4183 posts

Good news from the Hastings Europa Hotel Belfast today. This is a quote from the email they sent in response to my question about a refund:

"Certainly, I will have refund arranged for your booking. Now due to a skeleton staff being in place this may take longer than usual to be actioned but I assure you it will be done."

It never hurts to ask.

Posted by
4535 posts

A very good resolution. The best businesses are providing full refunds even on non-refundable payments, as they cannot provide the services offered. I do not blame hotels or other businesses encouraging people to roll over their payments for a future date, as long as they provide the refund if asked.

Posted by
16538 posts

Excellent! That's a bit of good news, eh?
Nope, never hurts to politely ask (which I'm sure you did.) :O)

Posted by
4183 posts

More good news. In spite of the skeleton staff, the refund to my VISA was posted on 12 April. I'm truly impressed.

Posted by
3 posts

I have a similar situation with the Roxford Lodge in Dublin. I have sent 3 emails asking about a voucher for future use, but have not even received the courtesy of a response. I was very serious in my intent to stay with them in the future when we can rebook our tour but the lack of consideration has really made me reconsider.