Beach House closed in Barbuda

By Sandy Walker

After doing some research and avidly reading Tripadvisor.com reviews of The Beach House in Barbuda, we booked a February 2008 stay through Expedia.ca in November, 2007. While browsing travel forums last week, I read a post that The Beach House was closed and had been in bankruptcy since last September. I contacted Expedia immediately and after a frustrating several hours and repeated requests to speak to a supervisor, their agent informed me that yes the hotel was closed and they would be issuing a credit. We have managed to find alternate accomodations, cancel the helicopter reservations (for the trip from Antigua to Barbuda) and will be able to use the non-refundable airline tickets.

At this point I feel fortunate that I discovered the closure and was able to make alternate arrangements. Expedia was continuing to sell these accomodations for several days after I contacted them. I don't believe that we would have been notified about the hotel closure and would have wondered where everyone was when we arrived via helicopter at the deserted resort. I am still waiting for a response from Customer Relations at expedia and am hesitant to make and travel arrangements on line. Welcome to the age of travel agentless booking!