Booking a hotel

I've not booked hotels abroad for years but in the UK I try and book with my chosen hotel directly although telephone numbers often turn out to be the hotel chain hub. Still I've had some reasonable deals and only 2 weeks ago was upgraded on arrival - a wonderful indulgence. I could have cancelled up to midday on the day of arrival which I thought was pretty good.

We usually book through booking.com and have never been charged until we check out of the hotel after our stay, although you are required to give credit card details when you book. Also, there is usually the option to cancel up to a couple of days before your stay.

All I can say is, last September I booked 4 hotels in Spain. In November I booked a Hotel in Luxembourg, Austria, Germany and Romania. All were paid for when we left.

You could take out insurance to cover you for cancellation.