I booked a non-refundable stay at Hotel Indigo Barcelona – Plaça Catalunya (IHG). Days before my trip, the Israel-Iran war broke out, shutting down airports and borders. As a Palestinian, I was unable to travel — a clear force majeure.
I contacted the hotel, not for a refund, but simply to move the booking to August (with many dates available) or get a voucher. Their response? A canned reply stating nothing could be done. The front desk and management showed zero willingness to adjust or even acknowledge the situation.
Adding insult to injury, they offered me a 15% discount and “VIP treatment” for a future stay. Honestly, what kind of “VIP treatment” should I expect from a hotel that can’t manage basic human decency? A complimentary apology at check-in?
To compare: I had two other non-refundable hotel bookings on the same trip — both allowed me to change dates with no issues. Indigo was the only one that refused outright.
If you ever face unexpected circumstances, don't count on this hotel for flexibility or basic courtesy. Rigid, cold, and completely disconnected from what hospitality should be.