Help! Villa Adriatica cancelled my booking
 

I hope someone here can help me. I made a reservation with Villa Adriatica for 5 nights at the end of May. They would not accept a personal check so I bought a money order and sent it to them for the deposit. This was a mistake. They said they never received it. I was in contact with them thoughout this time period and they assured me that they would hold the reservation.

Today I called them to tell them I would just wire them the money using Western Union, but they said I was too late. They offered the room to someone else.

Now I need to find a place to stay in Dubrovnik for the last week of May. We prefer a location within walking distance to the Old Town and it would be nice to have a terrace or a balcony.

Does anyone know of a place that would match this description?

Thanks for your help. Laurie

Sorry I don't have an answer as to a substitute hotel. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about your being out the money order amount. I don't like hotels that require a personal check to secure a reservation. I did it for Paris's Hotel de l' Angleterre in St. Germain, but I hated doing so and won't do it again.

>> I don't like hotels that require a personal check to secure a reservation. I did it for Paris's Hotel de l' Angleterre in St. Germain, but I hated doing so and won't do it again. <<

When did they start requiring that - must have been in the last few months. I've always used my Visa or MC to secure a room there - so have many friends.

Stu Dudley

Just a suggestion next time. I have stayed at hotels that require cash payment but accept credit cards to hold the room. I wouldn't send a check or money order to anyone to hold a room. Some people may not agree with me, but that's the way I do it. If you have to cancel before the time they allow, you don't have to worry about getting your money back.

This place again would require wire transfer or personal check but it has gotten great reviews. We are going to stay here in September. They received my check so all well. The website is www.karmendu.com. Also read article on www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/travel/columns/
travel/12381/index.html. Hope this info helps.

This is for Stu Dudley. I stayed at the d' Angleterre in Oct. 2002. They required a personal check in order to book the room. In fact, they implemented a new website last year or year before last. I emailed them and was told that a personal check needed to be sent in order to hold the room.

I hate this practice and have never bookded another hotel that required a personal check to book a room. It worked out okay in the end at the d'Angleterre. But get this. My departure for the US was early a.m. and the receptionist who handles returning the guest's personal check (I chose to pay the entire bill by c/c instead of using the check as a partial payment) was not in yet. The night clerk had to call her at home and inform her and had me speak to her!! She told me that either she could destroy the check when she got to the hotel or mail it to me. I asked her to destroy the check. But what a chore! If they would've accepted my credit card to book my room, we both would not have to waste time.

I hope this will be a help to you. I tried to book Villa Adriatica for June, but they would only take reservations for 7 nights. We are staying 5. I have now booked a sobe from Rick Steves book. I also found a web site of a small tour company in Croatia that uses this sobe. There is a picture of it on the web somewhere:) I have contacted them and found them very pleasant.

Jadranka and Milan Benussi. Their home is in a quiet, traffic free setting with a leafy terrace a five minute hike above the Old Town. Jadranka speaks excellent English. Double 60€ a night. All rooms have air conditioning and a kitchenettes. Go 2 blocks up busy Dr. Ante Starcevica street from the TI and follow tiny Miha Klaica lane to #10. [email protected]. More info. in the Rick Steves book on Eastern Europe.

We haven't stayed there yet, but Jadranka was so, so kind when I e-mailed her several times and the pictures I've seen are just great. She will also e-mail you a picture if you ask her to.

Good luck.

Well, thanks for all your suggestions. I think I have learned my lesson not to send a money order in the mail. Western Union from now on, even if it costs a little more.

I still think it was a bit dishonest on Villa Adriatica's part, since the owner told me on the phone one weekago that he would hold the reservation for 2 more weeks. Oh Well.

Marcia, thank you for your sugggestion of the karmendu apartments. We have booked apartment 2 with Marc Van Bloemen and I think we will be very happy here. I actually think this apartment may be better located since it is right on the harbor. There probably won't be as many steps to climb.

Images, I hope you enjoy your stay in the Benussi home.
Thanks again to everone for your suggestions. Laurie

Why dont you look at these options.

www.dubrovnik-online.com/old_town/

Lora was very helpful.

This apartment was our second preference behind Villa Adriatica

Laurie, do you mind if I ask when your dates are in Dubrovnik? I wire transferred a deposit to Teo several weeks ago and have not heard back from him since, even after sending several emails to him. He originally was very responsive. I started wondering if maybe there is some confusion with our reservation (coincidentally, we will be there near the end of May also). Should I call him or fax him? We are looking at a place in Trogir, but they, too, are asking for a wire transfer. I'm very hesitant to do that again. I noticed there is a method called MoneyGram to send money internationally, has anyone ever used this method?

Hi Angela,
Our dates in Dubrovnik are May 26-30. Yes, my experience was like yours, initially Teo was very responsive with emails and then I kept trying to email him but received no response.

I kept calling every weekend and they assured me that they would hold the reservation since I had sent the money order for the deposit.

Then I called him and he told me he had cancelled my reservation. I still do not know if I can get my money returned.

I have booked another apartment that I think we will be very happy with.

I have booked many apartments in Europe over the years and I have never been treated like this before. I still feel that they were not very honest with me.

I hope you have better luck with them than I did. You should probably get a phone card and call them to make sure there is not a problem.

I booked an apartment in Trogir also and used a wire transfer with Western Union and had no problems.

What are your dates? If you need any other suggestions, I would be happy to help! Good Luck!

Laurie

Laurie, thanks for responding.
I hope you get your money back. I sent a wire transfer through my bank and it has been deducted from my account. If Teo does not respond, I doubt I will ever see my money again. My daughter and I will be in Dubrovnik right before you, May 15-21. I'm going to have my daughter send him an email and if he doesn't reply to her I will call him on the phone.
How does the Western Union transfer work? The place in Trogir gave me a bank account number. Will they send it to a bank?

Hi Angela,
I can understand your frustration! The Western Union transfer was very easy to do. Our local full service grocery store has a Western Union desk in the customer service department.

You can go online and transfer money online with Western Union or find the office nearest you. Just google Western Union and you should be able to find their website.

At the office, you just bring cash and pay Western Union plus their fee [around $20 depending on the amount that you send] The Western Union takes your information and money and you are given a code which you can email to the recipient. They go to their nearest Western Union office and pick up the money.

I know both Dubrovnik and Trogir have Western Union offices because I transferred money to our apartment owners using this method.

Good Luck! and have a nice trip!

Laurie

Thank you Laurie for the info on Western Union. I've used it to send a deposit to Trogir for less than half of what my bank charged me.
I have one other question--you said you called Teo at Villa Adriatica? Did whoever answer the phone understand English? We have been sending Teo emails for the last two weeks asking him to confirm our reservation and whether or not he received our wire transfer and he does not respond. I'm hoping I can reach him by phone.
Thanks for all your help and hope you have a great time in Croatia.

Hi Angela,
I telephoned Villa Adriatica 3 times. Twice I reached Teo and he speaks very good English. One time I talked to his father and his English is limited.

Make sure to buy a phone card before you telephone them. Dialing direct is very expensive.

I hope you still have a room booked. If not, this is where we are staying: www.karmendu.com

I hope all goes well. Laurie

Hi Laurie, try looking at Villa Leon on the website. We have booked one of their apartments in August for 5 nights and the response from the owner kate has been fantastic. regards Dennis -Australia

Laurie, do you mind telling me how much the apartment you booked costs? It really does look beautiful. I'm just starting (yikes!) research for a trip to Dubrovnik in late April and don't have a sense of prices yet (and they're not included on the website). If you're not comfortable, that's fine and thanks anyway!

Hi Collsy,
The apartment that we are renting from karmendu.com is 90 euro per night. It is located very near the harbor in Dubrovnik.
They have apartments for 70 euro per night, but we wanted the one with the balcony.

Villa Adriatica wanted 80 euro per night for it's room. The terrace there looks like it has a beautiful view, but I think the rooms at the karmendu apartments look nicer and a better location in my opinion.

Marc, at the karmendu apartments was very prompt with emails, unlike the Villa Adriatica.

I will try to report back when we return in June 2006.

Have fun planning your trip! Laurie

Laurie et. al, we too are looking at Trogir, and many options out there but wondering but what you have looked at. Thanks. Jeri

Hello Rosexmke,
We are staying in Trogir at this apartment: http://www.trogir-online.com/kasalo/

We will be renting the yellow apartment.
The price quoted for us during our eafly June stay was 40 per night.

We have not stayed here yet, but I have read many good reviews of this apartment.

I hope you have a great time in Croatia
Laurie