What Happens When Hotel Booking Sites Fail To Deliver?

You may have flown to your destination, travelled from the airport maybe late at night then found that there is no room for you at the hotel you have booked. The hotel may assist you or you may be faced with trying to find somewhere for yourself in an unfamiliar area and possibly in a language you don't speak. Not the kind of start you would want for your holiday!

Why do hotels get overbooked?

Large hotels, like airlines assume that they will have a percentage of 'no shows' and over book to make sure they are maximising their revenue. However, when all the guests do arrive, it is guests who have booked with third party Booking agents who lose out.

Smaller hotels and Guest Houses allocate their rooms to various Booking agents and have to up date their availability as new bookings are taken from different sources. Some have outsourced this task to an online manager creating a forth party. If communication is not effective between the hotel, the online manager and third party Booking agents, over booking can occur. Also as the same rooms are being advertised on several different Booking agents, in theory two people could be booking the same room simultaneously. Therefore, when hotels are nearing their capacity, those responsible for keeping availability updated need to act fast to avoid over booking.

Hotel reservations made through Booking agents are processed electronically and hotels are alerted by e mail when a new booking is made. Very occasionally, problems with servers or broadband prevent notifications being received, leaving the hotel vulnerable to over booking.

How to avoid arriving and having nowhere to stay.

It is always advisable to check your reservation with the hotel before you travel to check that they have your reservation. If you find and select your hotel on a Booking agent site, you may find that you can get as good or better deal by contacting the hotel and making your booking directly. If you do use an online Booking agent, check in the Terms and Conditions at the time of booking whether it is the Booking agent or the hotel to confirm who your contract is with. Also, whether they have an all hours helpline in case of difficulty.

What recourse do you have?

A confirmed booking is a binding contract with the company you booked with, and if it is broken you are entitled to claim compensation. You must be offered a reasonable alternative or a full refund. You should also be able to claim compensation to cover extra costs you have had to pay and cover loss of enjoyment and inconvenience.

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Reasons To Book A Hotel in Liverpool City Centre

Not been to Liverpool in a very long time? Here are 10 top reasons to book a hotel in the city and enjoy its many treats in style.

1. Fans of the theatre and other arena entertainment, may want to take in a show at one of the city's foremost venues. The Echo Arena, Empire Theatre, Playhouse, Everyman and Carling Academy all have fantastic shows on throughout the year and, with a city centre hotel, you can take away the hassle of getting home at the end of the evening.

2. Liverpool has some of the finest restaurants in the UK, making it perfect for a romantic weekend. Why not book into a luxury Liverpool hotel so you can both be pampered?

3. The city has a thriving business scene, which brings thousands of people every year for meetings and networking events. Where an overnight stay is require a hotel in Liverpool city centre may be ideal for getting to and from the meetings.

4. Liverpool has everything a shopaholic could want, with Liverpool One and its bustling high street. However, it is also well located for getting to the Cheshire Oaks outlet stores and the Trafford Centre. Why not make a weekend of it with an overnight stay at a boutique hotel?

5. There are a number of sightseeing tours in Liverpool, allowing you to explore the city's rich history and culture. As such, it makes for a great city break and with fantastic restaurants and hotels, it could be visit to remember.

6. There are also lots of great museums in the city, including the Tate Liverpool, International Slavery Museum, and the Merseyside Maritime Museum. To get round them all, an overnight stay may be ideal.

7. One of the things the city is famous for is its football, with Everton FC and Liverpool FC flying the flag for the region. With both stadiums well connected to the city, you may want to stay overnight before or after the big match.

8. Another memorable sporting experience can be found at Aintree, one of the country's foremost racecourses and home of the Grand National. If you're visiting soon, why not head into town afterwards and stay overnight?

9. Beatles fans could spend a week in Liverpool, exploring the famous sites and tributes for the Fab Four. The Magical Mystery Tour, The Beatles Story, and the Cavern are just three of the popular attractions.

10. Lastly, if there's one thing Liverpool does well it's the nightlife. There's top restaurants, great bars, pubs and clubs, and plenty of city centre hotels to make it a perfect evening.

Do you need a hotel in Liverpool city centre? From a luxury Liverpool hotel to a more boutique facility, there is plenty to choose from.

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