Your Rights in Hotel Room Bookings Under Federal Law No. (15) of 2020 on Consumer Protection
I have booked a room in a hotel that is shown in one of the OTA’s a premium room with sea view. However, when I checked in, I found that the room is not the same as it looked like. I asked the manager to give me the same room, but he said that we do not have this available right now. I said, "Provide me with compensation, they have mentioned that we cannot provide any compensation as the hotel is fully booked. I mentioned to them that I would put that on Tripadvisor, and they did not care. The question is, now since I did not want to make any problems because it is my vacation, do I have the right to claim my money back? Thanks
Answer:
Under Federal Law No. (15) of 2020 on Consumer Protection, commercial fraud is defined as any deception of the consumer, including altering the nature of goods, providing incorrect product information, or engaging in misleading advertising practices. Booking a hotel room based on a misrepresented description constitutes commercial fraud, as outlined in Article 17—Incorrect description of the Good or Service.
According to this law, the consumer has the right to claim compensation for any personal or material damages resulting from the use of a service that does not align with the provided description. In this case, where the booked room did not match the depicted premium room with a sea view, the consumer is entitled to claim compensation under Article (24) of the law.
It's important to note that attempts to rectify the situation with the hotel management were unsuccessful, and the hotel's claim of being fully booked does not absolve them of the responsibility outlined in the Consumer Protection Law. Article (29) imposes penalties, including imprisonment and fines, on those who violate the provisions of the law, including deceptive advertising practices.
In conclusion, based on the Consumer Protection Law, you have the legal right to claim compensation for the misrepresented room and any inconvenience caused during your stay. If necessary, you may consider seeking legal advice to pursue your rights under this law.
Article Author:
Mohamed Darwish
Legal Consultant
Mohamed Darwish Founder of Darwish Legal Consultants | Hospitality Lawyer | Mediator | Host of The Legal Lobby Podcast | the author of two books "The Art of Mediation: The Key to Resolving Disputes in the Hospitality Industry" and "AI for Lawyers: A Practical Guide," both are available on Amazon.com
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please contact a qualified legal professional.
