Unwelcome guest!

This is a strange review in that I have never stayed at the property, I heard so many nice things about the place, it has great reviews on Tripadvisor and other places and yet I had a really bad experience.

I booked for the long weekend in September (if you include the 25th) - 24th to 28th (R3150) - which wasn't too bad I thought - booking.com gave two options - pay via the premises or pay immediately - it mentioned that no payment was needed now. - so I didn't loan my new card details (not sure if it is good to have them online).

Anyway no sooner had I pushed enter for the booking, when the owner of the establishment tried to take full payment - from? A card that was on the system and had expired ages ago.

I received an instant message that my card had been declined. (horrible feeling when you get that message and you know there is no reason other than they are taking immediate payment from an old card.

I unfortunately had to change my dates to leave on the 27th. So I made the changes on Booking.com an amount of R2460 which to avoid the aforesaid, I paid immediately online and received confirmation this was on the 25th August. (the premises were also sent confirmation of payment - how else would the booking have been confirmed.

On the 4th September I received a message via Booking.com from the premises requesting that I pay the amount of R3150 for the new dates 24th to 27th. directly to a Capital Bank account with immediate effect. (so the amount had gone up for less days).

I wrote and advised that the booking had been deducted and paid from my account to booking.com - they called me and advised me that they did not have the payment and would I please send proof of payment. (why didn't they check with booking.com).

I took a screenshot of the amount paid and the Booking.com confirmation. I was told that I had paid the wrong amount. that I should have paid R3150.

And that they had no trace of the payment - adding that they needed the money to secure the booking. (so my confirmation from booking.com and receipt from the bank that it had been paid wasn't enough).

So I cancelled - I think that because the provinces are open and there is now travel - that maybe they had a booking for the room - two people - I am a solo traveller.

So I get to see the premises, or taste the breakfast. But I was treated badly by people who must need business after the lockdown.