I recently had a frustrating experience with hotel cancellation fees that has made me more cautious about booking hotel stays in the future.

Here’s what happened: A friend from abroad planned to meet me for a long weekend at a nice hotel where we could relax, walk, and visit beautiful gardens. I researched and chose a Country House Hotel with stylish rooms, great food, and lovely grounds. I called to check availability and made the booking, looking forward to our short break.

A week later, unforeseen events meant my friend couldn’t join me, so I called to cancel the reservation. To my surprise, I found out that I was within a 7-day cancellation period, making me liable for the full amount of over £600 if the rooms weren’t rebooked. The hotel pointed out their cancellation policy, which I had received with my confirmation email. It stated that cancellations within 14 days of arrival would be charged 50% of the room rate, and within 7 days, 100%.

These terms are particularly harsh for last-minute bookings. If I had booked six months in advance, I could have canceled just before the 14-day notice period without penalty. But booking close to the date and holding the rooms for only a few days made me liable for the full amount. Fortunately, the hotel managed to rebook one of the two rooms and rescheduled the second room for a later date, which I still hope to use. However, the whole situation was stressful.

To avoid such charges, here are my suggestions:

1. **Check the Cancellation Policy**: When researching hotels, make sure to check their cancellation policy. It should be available on their website, though sometimes you might need to ask directly when calling or emailing to check availability. If more customers made it clear that the cancellation policy affects their booking decision, hotels might be more transparent and customer-friendly.

2. **Book with Flexible Policies**: Many hotels allow cancellations without penalty up to 24 hours before arrival. The policy of charging for cancellations within 14 days is less common. Smaller hotels are more likely to require longer notice periods.

3. **Avoid Last-Minute Bookings**: While booking last minute can be tempting for a quick getaway, it also comes with the highest cancellation charges. Some hotels accept cancellations up to 24 hours before, but others will penalize you even if the room was only reserved for a few days.

4. **Plan Ahead**: If you book well in advance, note the required cancellation period and review your plans before that time. For example, if a hotel requires a 14-day notice, set a reminder three weeks before to confirm your plans and cancel if necessary.

5. **Use Comparison Websites**: When booking, use hotel comparison websites like Booking.com to compare prices and check cancellation policies. Be cautious of banners claiming “Free Cancellation,” as this might only apply if you cancel before the notice period. Always read the small print to ensure there are no additional charges from the booking site.

6. **Communicate with the Hotel**: If you need to cancel, give the hotel as much notice as possible and explain any extenuating circumstances. Request that they try to rebook the room to avoid charging you. Many hotels will rebook the room for a different date without a cancellation fee.

By being aware of hotel cancellation policies, you can enjoy your stay without the stress of unexpected charges.