Bonita Beach Hotel

I canceled several days before arrival because the Nor’easter was getting worse, and I was bringing a disabled Vietnam Vet to OC from eight hours away. I contacted the property by message and phone, and they said it was no problem and gave me the Booking.com number. I called them, they contacted the hotel, and I thought it was all handled. The hotel told me in good faith they would refund me, and Booking.com said I was all set for a refund too. Days later, there was still no money back. When I spoke to the manager, he said he’d had issues all summer with booking companies. The reservations employee said her name was Kimberly, but when I mentioned speaking with a Kimberly during the cancellation, she said no Kimberly worked there. It seems they found a loophole: if they don’t respond to a booking site about a cancellation, they can keep a prepaid rate. Booking.com still has a record of the verbal agreement, but the hotel didn’t send the paperwork, so I’m out the money. I almost never cancel, and this shouldn’t have been an issue. They only needed to honor what they agreed to. Shame on Bonita Beach. Do better, and fire Kimberly and the manager. Booking.com was contacted on the 7th, and 7 comes before 10, so this wasn’t a no-show. If you use Booking.com, Expedia, or another booking site, consider this a red flag. There are plenty of good hotels in OC. The Grand has a great little coffee shop for coffee and breakfast. Quality on the boardwalk has a heated, warm pool in the off season. You could also stay at the Holiday Inn or Castle in the Sand. I’ve stayed at just about every place on the boardwalk. This was a dirty move, and they should have honored the refund they verbally confirmed.