Hotel Vijecnica

I paid almost the full amount in advance, 70/80 KM, for one of four nights. At check-in I handed the manager, Eldina, the 10/80 KM and she started getting my keys ready. Before handing them over, she said she needed to call the owner, her brother Eldin. He insisted I pay the full amount, which nobody had asked for until then, and accused me of trying to cheat them. I asked why I would do that as a tourist visiting the country for the first time, especially after already making a deposit. After some back and forth, and my saying I would complain to the tourism authorities, he demanded another 25€ (50 KM) just to let me stay the night I'd already paid for. That convinced me they were scammers. I refused and asked for a refund, but got only the last 10 KM back. I've never encountered such blatant fraud at a hotel elsewhere in the world. I regret not reading several other reviews beforehand, though I'm not sure booking through an online agency would have helped. It was also sad that this discussion happened in front of the manager's child. I hope she grows up with better morals than her elders. From a couple of other establishments in the area, though certainly not most, it seems scams are common here. Edit: * I'm out 70 KM / 35€, but that's better than staying without peace of mind. * Nobody asked me to pay the full amount when I made the deposit or at check-in, until the call with the owner. It looks like a setup. * They didn't say the 40€ / 80KM nightly price they'd quoted was a special discount. The rate on booking.com is indeed higher, which feels like classic bait and switch. * They're listed as a bed and breakfast on Google and Booking.com but challenged me to prove it, another sign of their crookedness. * I went to the local police station that afternoon. They advised me to speak with the ministry in charge of tourism. I also learned there's some kind of consumer protection bureau. Those options won't get my money back, but at least there'll be a record of complaints against these fraudsters. Edit 2: Their response contains lies. I didn't accuse everyone in Sarajevo, only this place. In fact, I found much better service from many good people in the same area. I think tourists can do much better there.