Hi everyone. I booked with hotel Eremo gaudio in varenna and it is confirmed for the dates I am arriving in June and checking out.. Not long after I wanted to book a room for my daughter. Five emails went unanswered and I made three phone calls. The first two I spoke to a lady. She said the hotel,is closed and no one is manning the office but she will get in touch with me and confirm and yes there is a room. But no confirmation.. Today I again phoned and spoke to a Viviana with perfect English who told me the hotel is still closed but having taken my name etc and asking me to send a new email with details ASAP, I did. She said she is going to check my email and get back to me. In my last email I mentioned that if there is no room for my daughter I would like to cancel my booking and go elsewhere. Problem is I have given them my credit card details and if I formally cancel via email, are they entitled to use my credit card for no show. Thank you for your help
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
No one can answer this as we don't know the terms of the rental. If it's not refundable then you won't get a refund. If there is a specific amount of time you need to notify them before the booking and you are inside that window them you won't get a refund. It all depends on the contract you agreed to.
Donna
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4096 posts
You can notify your credit card company to block payment.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16745 posts
I'm sure the desk can answer your questions when they're around. What time are you calling them from Australia? It could be that the hotel desk isn't open 24/7 and you are reaching minimal evening service. Also, are you sure this hotel is open during the winter? Could be that they're only open seasonally so are not checking messages regularly: not uncommon in those situations.
I see that this hotel is listed on booking.com, a site I use quite a lot. Try plugging your dates in to see if they show any openings?
Posted by
Portland, OR
1135 posts
Many of the hotels in this area are just now opening. I would give them a week or two before you give up on trying to get a room for your daughter.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Southam, blocking your credit card doesn't get you out of paying if you agreed to the terms of the rental. Just because the OP wants to cancel doesn't mean that it negates what he's agreed to.
Donna
Posted by
OP
Perth, W.A, Australia
61 posts
Hi everyone. Thank you all for your quick response. The cancellation is 10 days prior to arrival so I have plenty of time to cancel if I want to. And yes I looked at the time before I made the phone call. The girl I spoke to was very nice so I am sure I will get a reply soon. I just don't understand hotels still closed for the winter season but I realised that not all hotels in Europe open all through the year. However they did confirm my original booking when I wrote to them in October last year and so my room is secure. Just this one more room. Only because my daughter decided to meet us there as she live in the UK. I don't get to see her often. Once again many thanks all.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7179 posts
I'm not sure how it is in Australia but in many parts of Europe and the US, many hotels in tourist areas reopen around April 1st for the season. I wouldn't worry about it even if you don't hear for a couple more weeks.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8249 posts
To put it more clearly, the hotel you are trying to reach is closed for the season. Many places shut down early in the year and the people who manage the reservations are out. The people answering the phone probably do not have any ability to help you. Relax, call back in April, and I am sure your requests can be handled.
Posted by
OP
Perth, W.A, Australia
61 posts
Thank you everyone and Paul and Nancy. I will wait till 1st April to get in touch with them again.