I had made an online booking for Hotel Dasaprakash in Mysore for 2 days(2 rooms) on 2nd and 3rd June and full payment was taken online for the same by 28th May when I booked through holiday mela(EGLOBE solutions company). I found that odd as earlier when I have booked for hotels online anywhere in the world, it is only a booking fees they charge. in anycase, I made the payment and I was sent a confirmation to take to the hotel. I was only provided a contact number in Delhi and no hotel numbers or or route to the hotel were given to me.
I wanted to confirm late check in and also find out the route to the hotel for which after I called the Delhi contact number twice, I was given the hotel number. but when I called the hotel they had no info of room booking for me. in anyway, I found the way and made my way to the hotel. At the hotel, they confirmed availability of rooms and presented the rate card - according to which the room charges would have been Rs. 1500 per day but online for having paid in advance, I had paid Rs. 1850 per day. When I said I have already made my payment online, they searched and had to say that they have received no confirmation of payment or confirmation of booking from Holiday Mela.com. When I then closely scrutiinized the confirmation holidaymela had provided me, there was no confirmation of amount paid on it. However, I logged on to my credit card online and showed the payments made to Holiday mela. So the hotel accomodated me and said they will contact holiday mela and get confirmations. I got my two rooms after almost 1 hour delay at the lobby because of this confusion. I was also charged for an extra bed(as we were 5 of us - 3 adults and two kids) online whereas at the hotel we were told there was no need considering they were children.
At the time of check out again, though the website had promised that I have made full payment inclusive of taxes, I was told by the hotel that I need to pay the taxes.
I contacted holidaymela and the operator said she will have to ask someone else to talk to me but no one called me back for almost half an hour. Since I was in a hurry to catch flights from Bangalore, I made the tax payments and checked out. After that I received a cll from holiday mela 45 mins later, apologising for the inconvenience and that I needn’t pay the taxes. When I mentioned my wait for 30 mins and that I have already paid, I was promised refund. I came back and wrote in detail to holiday mela and also spoke to the manager - one Mr. Pradeep of all the above. He refused the rates on card at the hotel were different from online and that he accepted they need to improve the confirmation they give. And also promised to process a refund by 13th of June. However there was no such refund processed and even a month later I am following up on this. Beware if you are booking hotels online and especially avoid booking through holidaymela.com or budgethotels - both EGLOBE solutions company.