Charles Hope Cambridge

The whole situation became stressful and inconvenient, and I had to find somewhere else to stay at short notice. I couldn't complete the stay because the check-in system on the external website returned “booking not found.” When I asked about it, I was repeatedly directed away from Booking.com. After Booking.com got involved, I was told the accommodation couldn't confirm my reservation, and the booking was cancelled for free. My refund request through the platform had first been declined promptly. I also couldn't leave a review for the stay on Booking.com in the usual way, though it was still possible on another page there. The process raised concerns for me. After booking through Booking.com, I was asked to email a passport or ID and a selfie, complete steps off the platform, and pay outside Booking.com. The listing hadn't clearly explained these requirements, and the external site offered little information about how the process worked. I'd advise keeping messages on the booking platform and documenting them, avoiding sending sensitive ID by email because it's an insecure way to share personal information and carries significant risk, and not giving payment details outside the platform you booked through. If something similar happens, contact Booking.com support promptly and consider independent advice. It may also help others if people describe their experiences here clearly and factually, sticking to objective details so the reviews remain visible.