Virgin Holidays - Hotel Only Booking

asmidir · 28 Feb 21, 10:27 PM

Hi
Does anyone know whether VH offer free cancellation of hotels only bookings?

I know most travel agents and hotels themselves offer this, but can't see this on the VH website.

The hotel price is nearly �600 cheaper than any other hotel booking website (which I still can't quite believe!), so I'm keen to book.

Thanks

shelle · 28 Feb 21, 11:09 PM

Virgin holidays had a fab price for Orange Lake Resort when I was looking. Unfortunately I couldn�t find anything regarding the COVID policy for accommodation only. And the terms and conditions I read when booking were the normal ones so I didn�t do it.

I was going to call and ask but then we decided to move to LBV instead. Sorry that wasn�t much help was it! 😂

saratogajan · 28 Feb 21, 11:18 PM

I had such a struggle getting my hotel only booking refund from them last year (April 2020). Only ended up getting it when the hotel got involved on my behalf saying that no facilities were open, including the beach. It was for Marco Island. Took 4 months to get it.

asmidir · 1 Mar 21, 04:48 PM

Decided to call

It seems they have different policies with different hotels (or possibly hotel groups)
As such they are doing free cancellation up to 21 days before arrival for the hotel I was looking at and are �600 cheaper and you get free parking (normally $20 or so a night - so another $200 less!)

The 21 day wasn't on their website - but I got the guy to email it before booking so I've got it in writing.

I think 21 days out is pretty good - although if we were desperate to go in August it would be nice to be able to cancel up to the day before.

What do you guys think?

**cornishfrogboy** · 1 Mar 21, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by asmidir

Decided to call

It seems they have different policies with different hotels (or possibly hotel groups)
As such they are doing free cancellation up to 21 days before arrival for the hotel I was looking at and are �600 cheaper and you get free parking (normally $20 or so a night - so another $200 less!)

The 21 day wasn't on their website - but I got the guy to email it before booking so I've got it in writing.

I think 21 days out is pretty good - although if we were desperate to go in August it would be nice to be able to cancel up to the day before.

What do you guys think?

I book lots of USA hotels as I favour driving/multi location vacations.

I had 9 hotels for March 2020 and 10 when rearranged for August 2020, all at the very best rates that I could find.

All were cancellable up to 48 hours before occupation for a full refund and most were in addition, pay on arrival in any case. Same with 4x car hires (between the two vacations).

Every one of them bar one cancelled and refunded where appropriate... within a few days. The other one took a month. I will hopefully be driving right past it in San Simeon in August!

Why on earth would anyone touch a company with terms other than this, even with a very long barge pole?

My terms and conditions for all 9 this August are the same.. if you are that keen on a particular hotel, then why not try a direct approach, put your cards on the table and hopefully cut Virgin out of the equation?

**gjdjud** · 1 Mar 21, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

I book lots of USA hotels as I favour driving/multi location vacations.

I had 9 hotels for March 2020 and 10 when rearranged for August 2020, all at the very best rates that I could find.

All were cancellable up to 48 hours before occupation for a full refund and most were in addition, pay on arrival in any case. Same with 4x car hires (between the two vacations).

Every one of them bar one cancelled and refunded where appropriate... within a few days. The other one took a month. I will hopefully be driving right past it in San Simeon in August!

Why on earth would anyone touch a company with terms other than this, even with a very long barge pole?

My terms and conditions for all 9 this August are the same.. if you are that keen on a particular hotel, then why not try a direct approach, put your cards on the table and hopefully cut Virgin out of the equation?

I definitely agree with all of this. Booking hotel only with Virgin can be pretty good though(no way would I do a package) especially some of the Universal hotels especially if it�s a longer stay as they usually have more than seven nights promotion and free parking for Cabana Bay. I suppose you have to weigh up the risks about their cancellation policy. I�m looking at hotel only with them but will more than likely book direct with the hotel.

asmidir · 1 Mar 21, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

I book lots of USA hotels as I favour driving/multi location vacations.

I had 9 hotels for March 2020 and 10 when rearranged for August 2020, all at the very best rates that I could find.

All were cancellable up to 48 hours before occupation for a full refund and most were in addition, pay on arrival in any case. Same with 4x car hires (between the two vacations).

Every one of them bar one cancelled and refunded where appropriate... within a few days. The other one took a month. I will hopefully be driving right past it in San Simeon in August!

Why on earth would anyone touch a company with terms other than this, even with a very long barge pole?

My terms and conditions for all 9 this August are the same.. if you are that keen on a particular hotel, then why not try a direct approach, put your cards on the table and hopefully cut Virgin out of the equation?

Thanks, I tend to use all of the hotel room scrapers and a couple of travel agents who have got me lower rates previously - I haven't called the hotel direct, but will give it a try.

However, if VH was in fact that much cheaper - and we're talking several hundred pounds - then maybe it's worth sacrificing 3 weeks of notice to make the massive saving.

**cornishfrogboy** · 1 Mar 21, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by asmidir

Thanks, I tend to use all of the hotel room scrapers and a couple of travel agents who have got me lower rates previously - I haven't called the hotel direct, but will give it a try.

However, if VH was in fact that much cheaper - and we're talking several hundred pounds - then maybe it's worth sacrificing 3 weeks of notice to make the massive saving.

If they remain cheaper, then you have a conundrum.

28 Feb 21, 10:27 PM	#1
	28 Feb 21, 10:27 PM asmidir Excited about Disney
asmidir Excited about Disney Join Date: Jun 15	Virgin Holidays - Hotel Only Booking Hi Does anyone know whether VH offer free cancellation of hotels only bookings? I know most travel agents and hotels themselves offer this, but can't see this on the VH website. The hotel price is nearly �600 cheaper than any other hotel booking website (which I still can't quite believe!), so I'm keen to book. Thanks

1 Mar 21, 04:48 PM	#4
	1 Mar 21, 04:48 PM asmidir Excited about Disney Thread Starter
asmidir Thread Starter Excited about Disney Join Date: Jun 15	Decided to call It seems they have different policies with different hotels (or possibly hotel groups) As such they are doing free cancellation up to 21 days before arrival for the hotel I was looking at and are �600 cheaper and you get free parking (normally $20 or so a night - so another $200 less!) The 21 day wasn't on their website - but I got the guy to email it before booking so I've got it in writing. I think 21 days out is pretty good - although if we were desperate to go in August it would be nice to be able to cancel up to the day before. What do you guys think?