Lessons from Hanoi: How to avoid losing your paid hotel room

Unexpected risks when paying 100% of the room fee

Many travelers believe that paying the full amount in advance means they will be guaranteed a hotel room, regardless of the time of check-in. However, a recent incident in Hanoi has shown that this is a concept that can lead to annoying situations, or even losing the money paid.

The story of a female tourist who was refused a room at 2 a.m. despite having paid in full is a valuable lesson about the importance of communicating with hotels, especially when your travel plans suddenly change.

Real-life situation at a hotel in Hanoi

The incident was recorded in a clip posted on social media, occurring at a hotel on Hang Chao Street, O Cho Dua Ward, Hanoi. Female tourist NYQ, living in Ho Chi Minh City, booked and paid 100% of the room fee for a 3-day stay (from November 7 to November 9) through an online booking application.

Female tourist was upset when the hotel receptionist refused to let her check in. Photo cut from clip

Events

Due to the flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi being delayed due to the weather, Ms. Q. arrived at the hotel at 2:00 a.m. on November 9 to check in. However, the receptionist refused her request on the grounds that the hotel was fully booked. The staff explained that because she did not arrive on time and did not notify her in advance about her late arrival, the hotel did not reserve a room for her.

The receptionist said: "When booking a room on the app, the check-in and check-out times are clearly stated. She did not check in, nor did she notify the hotel." Although Ms. Q. presented a full invoice, her request was still not resolved. In the end, she had to drag her suitcase and leave that night without a refund.

React and deal with it afterwards

Ms. Q. said she tried to contact the hotel via the phone number provided before arriving but received no response. Frustrated by the hotel's handling of the matter, she posted the story on social media. The incident quickly attracted the attention of the online community, most of whom expressed their disagreement with the hotel's way of doing things.

After the incident was spread, the hotel representative contacted Ms. Q to apologize and offer to refund her money. At the same time, the leader of O Cho Dua Ward Police also confirmed that they had received the information and were verifying and clarifying the incident.

Golden experience to avoid similar situations

From the above incident, tourists can draw important experiences to ensure their trip goes smoothly, avoiding unnecessary troubles related to hotel check-in.

Always be proactive about late check-ins: If you know you’ll be arriving at the hotel later than the scheduled check-in time (usually 6pm or later), call or email the hotel directly to let them know your estimated arrival time. This is the most important step.
Request confirmation from the hotel: After reporting, ask the hotel to send you an email or text message confirming that they have taken note of your information and will hold your room. This is important evidence if a dispute arises.
Read the hotel and booking app policies carefully: Each hotel and booking platform (such as Agoda, Booking.com) has its own rules about "no-shows". Take the time to read these terms carefully to understand the check-in time limit and the policy for handling no-shows.
Use the "Special Requests" section: When making your online booking, use the "Notes" or "Special Requests" box to fill in your flight times or estimated time of arrival.
Save hotel contact information: Always keep the hotel's phone number and email address in an easy-to-find place so you can contact them immediately if there are any changes to your schedule.

Clear and proactive communication with your accommodation not only helps you keep your reservation, but also shows respect and contributes to a civilized and comfortable travel experience for both parties.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/bai-hoc-tu-ha-noi-cach-tranh-mat-phong-khach-san-da-tra-tien-402127.html