Monasterystays.com cancelled two of my bookings in Italy at very short notice. This put us under huge stress to find something else fast in two cities. Fortunately Booking.com has never let me down over years of using it. The Monasterystays web site has a chart of availability - but it is not updated! They took over a week to come back and tell me that there were no rooms! It is no excuse to say that things are busy. That is not a problem for any other convent broker site or other accomodation websites. It is also possible to book some of these convents directly. I got my deposit back but it's all a hassle. How have others found Monsterstays.com?
Posted by
Massachusetts
832 posts
Haven't used it since Covid, but never had a problem before. I am sorry your experience was not a good one.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8345 posts
It is all speculation, but I don't think that any lodging providers cancels reservations without a significant need to do so. You are clearly an example of how it puts off customers and they tell their friends.
Covid certainly adds to the equation. Was someone positive that needed to stay in that room for quarantine? Was there staffing issues relating to Covid? I don't know. There could have been many different reasons.
I am glad you were able to find something else but sorry you had this frustrating experience.
Posted by
Washington DC
27062 posts
I looked into using Monastery Stays for an upcoming trip to Venice but was immediately put off by the very high, non-refundable deposit. It was going to be 170 euros for me (possibly related to length of stay, which was 8 or 9 nights). No way, no how.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2394 posts
I had no problem with 4 bookings in 2018
Posted by
Milwaukie, Oregon
1056 posts
I used monastery stays prior to Covid in Bologna and loved it. I can understand how upsetting it would be to have a reservation canceled with short notice. That has happened to me with Airbnb before. Not certain how one avoids things like this.