Booking does not exist, even with proof on WhatsApp

I made a booking via WhatsApp with Velecia on 23 February 2021, for this coming long weekend 19 to 22 April 2021. Initially I had booked for a weekend in February which I cancelled due to the weather forecast. Velecia confirmed that she CHANGED my booking to 19 March 2021, via WhatsApp. I only cancelled ONCE, which was the February weekend.

On Sunday 14 March (first communication since 23 February) I asked what time we can check in on Friday and she rep**** normal time is 06h00 and it should show on my "booking form". I advised her I don't have one since the booking was made via WhatsApp on 23 February. She said she would check on her system on Monday morning because she didn't see an email. (At the time, I was NOT told an email will confirm my booking.)

Monday morning came and I was advised I do NOT have a booking on the system. They are fully booked and she's sorry but they don't have any accommodation available. The "system" must've thrown me off when she cancelled the February booking, she said. Is this my problem??

Then I sent her a screen shot of where she confirmed she would change my booking to 19 March 2021. She did not do this and now I don't have a booking!?!?!? I said this is unacceptable and her business ethics are poor. (We've been planning this for 2 weeks, even had a menu planned.) I asked her why she didn't check on 23 February, as per the screen shot I sent her? Her response was why didn't I follow up! Since when do people follow up on a booking when you have confirmation in writing?? I told her she didn't do her job propely and now I have to suffer. It's not good advertising for her business.

The response? She said I'm now looking to argue with her and that she WILL BLOCK ME, which she did! Is this fair business etiquette? Should I not be allowed to be upset? Should I not be allowed to voice my anger and frustration? My partner and I both lost our brothers recently and we needed this break, hence we booked it almost a month in advance.

Not a single move was made to try and correct the situation. In my experience people would be very apologetic and assist to get you another booking some other time? I come from hospitality and this would mean a HUGE attempt to keep the customer, not block them! You'd do everything in your power to make them feel better, because you made a mistake! If it meant a 50% discount or a comp, then so be it because you have to keep the customer happy! Bums in beds was our motto. Bad business can go horribly wrong by word of mouth...

This place was referred to me by friends and they have a booking next month. They immediately said they would now have to RECONFIRM their booking as well. Sad, really.

I would not recommend anyone to go fishing here. Unprofessional booking, no communication regarding a booking form, negligence, poor business practice and rudeness from Management. Be aware!!