Hotel doesn't offer refund, how can I get my money back?

Question

My partner booked a surprise weekend in a hotel and we have just found out that the place is almost falling apart and the services offered leaves less to be desired for. She has already paid for the room and in the terms it says once you paid you cannot get a refund, do you think there is any way around it, maybe by a threatening to go to Trading Standards?

Answer 1

Both of the first two answers make a lot of sense.  The only problem I can see is how do you know the service leaves a lot to be desired?  Naturally you haven't been there before otherwise you would know so if it's only word of mouth it's purely an opinion.

Answer 2

Trading Standards can only be involved if the Hotel did not come up to the standards in its brochure or advertisment.

Answer 3

Yeah, if the place is as bad as you say, then do take it to Trading Standards. Do you not have any travel insurance of any sort? You might be able to claim something on this....failing that, then yes, get T.S. involved

Answer 4

First thing you should do is contact your credit card company and dispute the charge. I had a similar experience with a spa weekend for my wife. The Spa said that it was pre paid and non refundable...well my credit card issuer and I thought otherwise and the charge was reversed.