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debobebo22:13 UTC08 Jun 2014

Alfama Patio Hostel - part of Destination group of hotels --- They are very highly rated on Trip Advisor & all - but take a minute read about my experience & then go ahead with your booking: 'This will be the first review I hope I'm writing even before I 've stayed at a place! I made a booking with them via Booking.com for 22-24Aug'14. Booking.com clearly said in the booking confirmation that NO PREPAYMENT whatsoever is required for any of the hostel bookings. The Alfama hostel guys mailed me asking Credit card no., Expiry date AND the Security code (or also known as CVV no.) It definitely struck me as unusual as none of the other hotels / hostels I've ever booked (on this trip alone I've booked 6 hostels all via Booking.com) have not asked for my card details. Within an hour of me sharing the card no. & expiry date, I get two alerts on my mobile phone saying** two invalid transactions have been attempted on my card but declined due to incorrect CVV!** The Alfama guys claim it's a 'Misunderstanding' & they were only trying to 'VALIDATE MY CARD'!!! with nothing really being charged!!... that's what they mailed me saying!!!.. My question is (1) The transaction / attempt to validate my card without my knowledge is in itself considered to be a FRAUD! I checked this with my credit card co. - Citibank (2) The practice always is that on arrival the staff will ask for the credit card & then block certain amount as security... Am also attaching the screenshots as validity of all that I've written here...people BEWARE of this place!!! BOOK AT YOUR OWN RISK!

sfgirl4222:25 UTC08 Jun 2014

Debo,
When someone comes on Thorn Tree and the first thing they post is a complaint about a place that has not been discussed on the forum, we tend to be sceptical. If you have complaints, then you should (as you have) post on TripAdvisor and you should definitely post on Booking.com but not here...we usually refer people to other sites for references (unless a forum member(s) has visited and knows the place...
Thank you for noting same.

waterhazardjack01:22 UTC09 Jun 2014

When someone comes on Thorn Tree and the first thing they post is a complaint about a place that has not been discussed on the forum, we tend to be sceptical.

Particularly as we seldom ever hear from them again...otherwise known as a OTWPO (One Time Whinge Poster Only)...

onlymark04:28 UTC09 Jun 2014

You are unable post on Booking.com before the stay.

BEWARE of this hostel if you visiting Lisbon - Alfama Patio Hostel http://destinationhostels.com/index.php?pagina=4&menu=14 Country forums / Western Europe / Portugal
debobebo22:13 UTC08 Jun 2014	Alfama Patio Hostel - part of Destination group of hotels --- They are very highly rated on Trip Advisor & all - but take a minute read about my experience & then go ahead with your booking: 'This will be the first review I hope I'm writing even before I 've stayed at a place! I made a booking with them via Booking.com for 22-24Aug'14. Booking.com clearly said in the booking confirmation that NO PREPAYMENT whatsoever is required for any of the hostel bookings. The Alfama hostel guys mailed me asking Credit card no., Expiry date AND the Security code (or also known as CVV no.) It definitely struck me as unusual as none of the other hotels / hostels I've ever booked (on this trip alone I've booked 6 hostels all via Booking.com) have not asked for my card details. Within an hour of me sharing the card no. & expiry date, I get two alerts on my mobile phone saying two invalid transactions have been attempted on my card but declined due to incorrect CVV! The Alfama guys claim it's a 'Misunderstanding' & they were only trying to 'VALIDATE MY CARD'!!! with nothing really being charged!!... that's what they mailed me saying!!!.. My question is (1) The transaction / attempt to validate my card without my knowledge is in itself considered to be a FRAUD! I checked this with my credit card co. - Citibank (2) The practice always is that on arrival the staff will ask for the credit card & then block certain amount as security... Am also attaching the screenshots as validity of all that I've written here...people BEWARE of this place!!! BOOK AT YOUR OWN RISK!
sfgirl4222:25 UTC08 Jun 2014	Debo, When someone comes on Thorn Tree and the first thing they post is a complaint about a place that has not been discussed on the forum, we tend to be sceptical. If you have complaints, then you should (as you have) post on TripAdvisor and you should definitely post on Booking.com but not here...we usually refer people to other sites for references (unless a forum member(s) has visited and knows the place... Thank you for noting same.	1
waterhazardjack01:22 UTC09 Jun 2014	When someone comes on Thorn Tree and the first thing they post is a complaint about a place that has not been discussed on the forum, we tend to be sceptical. Particularly as we seldom ever hear from them again...otherwise known as a OTWPO (One Time Whinge Poster Only)...	2
onlymark04:28 UTC09 Jun 2014	You are unable post on Booking.com before the stay.	3

BEWARE of this hostel if you visiting Lisbon - Alfama Patio Hostel http://destinationhostels.com/index.php?pagina=4&menu=14