Cancellation fee for a hotel in Austria booked via phone call

Question

I booked a room at a hotel in the Austrian Alps (I hadn't paid for the room, nor did I give them any credit card details at the time of booking). However 2 days after making the booking I informed them I no longer require the room. They told me that because it is less than 21 days until the booking I must transfer them a cancellation fee of 40% of the original hotel amount.

I live in the UK. The cancellation fee policy was disclosed on the confirmation the hotel sent me once I booked the room over the telephone.

What are the likely scenarios if I ignore the hotel's request for a cancellation payment?

Answer 1

If, as your comment implies, the hotel only mentioned a cancellation fee in a subsequent e-mail then you owe nothing. The hotel cannot force you to pay a fee that was not agreed at the time the contract was made (i.e. during the telephone conversation). However, if you were made aware of the cancellation fee during the phone call then you are probably liable to pay.

The hotel could bring a claim against you through the European Small Claims Procedure. Details of the procedure can be found here: https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/sell-abroad/resolving-disputes/small-claims/index_en.htm