Read the Cancellation Policy and Rules before you use this agent

I made a booking for Villiera Guesthouse almost one year in advance. On the Afristay website it indicated rooms available and I paid the 50% deposit. When I phoned the Guesthouse (on information supp**** to me that all rooms had been booked due to a wedding and no rooms are available) the Guesthouse informed me that they do not have any rooms available and cannot honor my booking. From the rules on their website, it is clear that Afristay will not refund my deposit, even though it is cancelled 3 months in advance. If I knew I had to deal with the Guesthouse to confirm availability or arrange a cancellation, I would not have used the website at all. I can understand that other people are impressed with the service, but what counts is how a company respond when you need a refund of a deposit. It is not my fault that Afristay had the room as '"Available" when it was not.