I would agree that guests that are watching would see if you've now got another room booked, they're off the hook. Probably not worth the possible bad feelings to split hairs and insist that it would have to be the exact same room (even if the newly booked room is cheaper).
Also, a 14 day cancellation policy is a looooooooooooooong time imvvho, unless it's a large group or extended stay rez. So, if this guest cancelled 10 days out, they're probably feeling that they gave you plenty of notice. Just thinking like a guest here......
btw - Here is something new that one of our other inns here has added to their website. They started receiving more cancellations and changed their cancellation policy from 3 days to 14! A huge jump from the previous owners & I'm not quite sure of their line of thinking on it. But the trip insurance is a good idea...especially at their rates.
"All reservations must be secured with a valid Credit Card. Once you have secured your reservation, you are obligated for your entire stay. If for any reason you must cancel your reservation more then 14 days in advance, we will not charge your credit card (unless we have processed a deposit, in which case a $25 Administrative fee will be assessed). If cancellation is made within 14 days of the reservation, we will make every attempt to re-rent the room(s). If the room(s) can be re-rented for your entire reservation period, we will only assess a $25.00 administrative fee and there will be no further obligation on your part.
Please note: There are no exceptions to our cancellation policy, whether it be for reasons of sickness, family emergency or weather, and as such we recommend that you purchase travel insurance. For your convenience we have included a link to the Travelex, travel protection website.".
Please note: There are no exceptions to our cancellation policy, whether it be for reasons of sickness, family emergency or weather, and as such we recommend that you purchase travel insurance. For your convenience we have included a link to the Travelex, travel protection website."
That's a beautiful thing there! -WW
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I must be too easy going because that language seems a little off-putting to me

But, (knock on wood) cancellations haven't been an issue for me so far. I hope that it remains that way!!
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Samster said:
I must be too easy going because that language seems a little off-putting to me

But, (knock on wood) cancellations haven't been an issue for me so far. I hope that it remains that way!!
That's because the 4th guest's grandma hasn't died on you today.
We get car accidents, hospitalizations, deaths, sicknesses, weather, plane cancellations, etc. None of it the guests' fault, but none of it mine either. That's the tough part...who suffers the loss? The guest or us?
I know I will not go back to a place that charged me when I left early because of a hurricane. The state was closed. The gov was requesting people to leave ASAP. My friend decided to stick it out and was handed a hammer and nails and sheets of plywood and asked to help cover the windows in her cottage.
They hotel basically told me, 'Tough.'
So it's hard for me to charge because I know what it's like to be on that side. But, it's hard on this side with bills to pay and rooms standing empty because of whatever cancellation reason the guest has.
Our 'solution' is to have the guest rebook immediately (or within a week if we're talking a death). I like the GC solution, too. We have too many guests who book multiple locations, holding rooms until they find one closer to where they want to be or a cheaper price or better amenities.
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