OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi: Extremely Delayed Refund – Travellers Should Be Aware Before Booking
I want to share my experience with OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi so other travellers are aware of the refund issues I faced.
I booked this hotel through Booking.com on 18 February, with a 100% refundable reservation for a stay in April. The hotel requested a 25% prepayment, also fully refundable in case of cancellation. I paid this amount on 25 February, and the property confirmed receiving it.
Unfortunately, on 19 March, I had to cancel my trip because my flights were cancelled. I immediately contacted the hotel, and they confirmed that my refund was “in process” and could take up to 28 days.
That deadline passed with no refund.
- 16 April: I contacted them again. They said refunds were delayed due to Ramadan and “the current global situation,” mentioning a 30‑day backlog.
- 26 April: Still nothing. I reached out again and was simply asked to “be patient.”
- 12 May: Another follow‑up. This time they blamed their banking partners, even though their social media showed the hotel operating normally.
- 12 June: I emailed several addresses asking for help. The next day they replied saying the matter had been “escalated to Finance” and that the refund had already been processed. No proof, no follow‑up, and still no refund.
In the end, I only received my money back because my credit card provider intervened through a chargeback. The refund did not come from OBLU. I sent them a final email informing them of this, and they never replied.
Conclusion
The hotel may be beautiful, but travellers should be aware that refunds are not handled reliably, and communication is inconsistent. If you book a refundable rate or pay a deposit, be prepared for significant delays and to potentially rely on your bank or credit card company to recover your money.