How to handle "lost" reservation for B&B in Venice

Hi Chris,

I am very sorry to hear that you cannot get a straight answer from the B&B owner. It is not a nice way to start a vacation. And it seems, as we live in a 5-second World, more and more people are distracted, do not follow up, do not care or get things mixed up, as she seems to have said as her reason for not confirming the reservation the first time.

Chris says: "I am certain that I am calling the number correctly (O11 39 then the number listed in the email from a landline; +39 plus the number from a mobile phone). It rings and rings with no answer."emphasized text*

I am a bit confused....are you dialing 011-39, then 39 again and then the number? Or are you dialing +39 from your mobile, but not the 011? You dial only 011 and then 39 plus the mobile or land line number they have listed.

Try emailing and calling again. In your email and phone call, give her or them a "deadline" for an answer citing that if you do not hear from them within 24 hours with a definite confirmation and the name of the person confirming it, you will need to book elsewhere. That is just common courtesy and good business practice on their part.

Also, to protect yourself, call your credit card company, apprise them of the situation; just in case the B&B does not have a room for you and "mistakenly" charges your card.

I hope there is a simple solution for you. But, as a backup, have the names, phone numbers and addresses of other hotels. Or, you can reserve another B&B or hotel just in case. If this one you favor comes through positively, you can always cancel the other one. I do not think most hotels or B&B's have a cancellation fee. But check anyway. You do not want to be stranded arriving in Venice.

Good luck. I hope it works out very soon before you leave. Have a safe flight :)

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. From my land line I call 011 39 then the number in Italy. From my mobile I call +39 then the number in Italy. I have tried it other ways and always get a message that it was dialed incorrectly. When I do it as above, it rings, and once I got a busy signal, so that said to me it is working.

I chose this place after a LOT of research because I found so many wonderful reviews, and no problems of this sort reported. The initial emails were positive and the the one saying I had a confirmed reservation was very pleasant. I believe there are two sisters and a son who operate the B&B, so I assume I have been getting emails from different people.

You are welcome :) And, I see...if three people are involved, it could be the reason for the mix up.

I understand your reasons for wanting to stay at this B&B. Well, if you can, maybe do as I suggested and hopefully you will get an affirmative answer. If you are still in doubt, I would still advise a backup plan. Sending positive thoughts :)

After another email and text message, we have had a reply this morning that our reservation is confirmed. Thank you for your support. I pray that all goes smoothly from here!

Chris, Wonderful news! Enjoy your trip to Venezia

I am sure you will love it! Buon Viaggio

Given the history of poor communication, I would not expect a response to a "deadline" email. You may well have a valid reservation there. To avoid the risk of being charged as a no-show, I would carry a printed copy of your original reservation and confirmation, together with the May 1 email stating you DO have a reservation. Go to check in, and if they try to deny you a room, you have the proof. If they have overbooked and don't have a room for you, this means you will have to find one at the last minute, but at least you won't be charged as a no-show at this place.

@Sasha, It was only a suggestion to her about a deadline since she was getting mixed or no responses. B&B's and hotels do not want to lose business or ratings - so it was merely to point out the owner should follow through affirmatively.

If you read my suggestions, I did write that she should maybe have alternate hotel choices just in case as well as to apprise her credit card company in the event she is charged but they do not have a reservation for her.

I am sure Chris is wise enough to bring a copy of the reservation or would be able to show it (on her electronics) if she is bringing any.

She has stated a few minutes ago, her original choice has confirmed the reservation. She wrote, this is a long-time planned trip/dream of hers, so I think positive support is key as well as some choices/backup plan :)

Buon viaggio!

Yes, they posted that they received a confirmation as I was writing my post, so I did not see it until now.

I just wanted to urge them not to count on a lack of response to a "deadline" message to count as a valid cancellation in case the B and B did charge her credit card as a no-show. I am not sure the credit card company would view it as a valid timely cancellation of their reservation and reverse the charge.

One time I booked a little place in Switzerland by email. They never sent a confirmation in spite of my request that they do so. So I naively assumed we did not have a reservation and booked elsewhere. They charged my card when we did not show up. I was stuck because I had not done anything to affirmatively cancel my reservation there. This is not the same situation but close enough I was a bit concerned.

And you would be surprised how many people do not carry paper copies of their reservations, they rely on things stored on a mobile device which they may not be able to access when most needed.

But all is well that ends well.

Enjoy Venice, Chris!