# Need help with a (probably) hotel scam. **URL:** \ **Category:** Travel to Russia\ **Created:** [July 17, 2025, 3:44pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/need-help-with-a-probably-hotel-scam/254 "2025-07-17T15:44:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![IlyaIlya](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/f6c823/32.png) [@IlyaIlya](https://forum.russiable.com/u/IlyaIlya)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 3:44pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/need-help-with-a-probably-hotel-scam/254/1 "2025-07-17T15:44:59Z")
So at first i booked a hotel/private apt for Moscow, then that hotel told me that the price on the website was old, and i had to either cancel or pay an additional 200+ euros to keep my booking. So i cancelled and got another hotel. This hotel/private apt at first said my booking was confirmed, yet today they also emailed me demanding 350 euros or it would also be canceled. How in the hell is this legal? And… is it even legal? What do i do here? It seems every hotel does this, am i legally in the right to deny this request and still keep my booking? Or am i forced to cancel my hotel, and probably give up on any other hope of booking.. ---
**Author:** ![phoebe](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@phoebe](https://forum.russiable.com/u/phoebe)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/need-help-with-a-probably-hotel-scam/254/2 "2025-07-17T19:03:09Z")
Which website are you using? ---
**Author:** ![phoebe](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@phoebe](https://forum.russiable.com/u/phoebe)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/need-help-with-a-probably-hotel-scam/254/3 "2025-07-17T19:04:30Z")
Zen Hotels is only site I use. Never had any issues like that. ---
**Author:** ![Bill](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@Bill](https://forum.russiable.com/u/Bill)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 8:31pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/need-help-with-a-probably-hotel-scam/254/4 "2025-07-17T20:31:46Z")
I have used Ostrovok to book around 15 hotels in Russia. Worked every time. Russian hotels generally have srandard prices. You can show up unanounced and pay the same price if you had booked it 4 weeks earlier ---
**Author:** ![KO11](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@KO11](https://forum.russiable.com/u/KO11)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2025, 2:22pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/need-help-with-a-probably-hotel-scam/254/5 "2025-07-18T14:22:18Z")
@IlyaIlya No one can offer insight unless you provide details. What website? What hotels specifically? Prices are only binding once you get a email confirmation. Any hotel “demanding” payments should be a signal to cancel. ---
**Author:** ![IlyaIlya](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/f6c823/32.png) [@IlyaIlya](https://forum.russiable.com/u/IlyaIlya)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2025, 2:30pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/need-help-with-a-probably-hotel-scam/254/6 "2025-07-18T14:30:05Z")
@KO11 Youre the only notification i got, so sorry for not responding earlier to other people. I used Zenhotels, Bakhrusina 4 apartments from Moko Apartments (website Moko.moscow) According to their own terms, the contract/price is “made/agreed” after payment, and the price at the time on their website was the same at Zenhotels. So all of this goes against their very own policy, as well as against Russian consumer laws. And i have explained this to them many times but they do not care, they keep telling me they will cancel my booking (which they still havent done, which tells me they know theyre wrong) Im not sure if its worth battling this and risk not having a hotel, but i also cant afford much more expensive hotels now booking again so much later. And Zenhotels seems terrible to book at again, but all other platforms seem like they dont do Russia anymore, and if they do, they do not accept EU payment. ---
**Author:** ![KO11](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@KO11](https://forum.russiable.com/u/KO11)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2025, 3:57pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/need-help-with-a-probably-hotel-scam/254/7 "2025-07-18T15:57:16Z")
@IlyaIlya I’ve used Zenhotels several times with no issues (prior to my entry into Russia) and I feel safer having a major website to protect me in cases like this. Rarely I might go direct to hotel but any red flags and I move on. Providing that much up front, before arrival, is not something I would personally do unless its a major chain hotel who can be trusted. Zenhotels has been very trustworthy for me. Booking in advance and/or cancelling and getting a full refund quickly. And I think most other people here would agree they are the best option for Russia at the moment. Ostrovok is a different site but the same company I think. All I can say is if it doesnt feel right, dont do it. Make sure the property is highly rated on different websites. Beyond that just trust your judgement. In this case I’d probably just cancel and start over. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![IlyaIlya](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/f6c823/32.png) [@IlyaIlya](https://forum.russiable.com/u/IlyaIlya)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/need-help-with-a-probably-hotel-scam/254/8 "2025-07-18T16:07:41Z")
@KO11 Well thats the issue, all the hotels i have booked so far are rated highly, but both hotel/apt chains i have booked so far seem to own nearly every apartment in Moscow. So it doesnt matter what i book on Zenhotels, i will end up with either company anyways. Yes i get my money back easily, but the issue is that every time i have to re-book, its nearer to my trip, and thus more expensive each time. But it seems i dont really have another option, youre right, even if these guys realize im right theyre still extremely dodgy. (Not to mention they also dont want to take care of registration) ---
**Author:** ![KO11](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@KO11](https://forum.russiable.com/u/KO11)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/need-help-with-a-probably-hotel-scam/254/9 "2025-07-18T16:31:10Z")
@IlyaIlya I understand now. I would still book through Zenhotels personally just because properties can’t screw with you because they know Zenhotels will protect you. When I say “chain” I mean Hitlon, Raddison, Marriott, Mercure, and places like that. Major world chains. I rarely do apartments. ---
**Author:** ![IlyaIlya](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/f6c823/32.png) [@IlyaIlya](https://forum.russiable.com/u/IlyaIlya)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/need-help-with-a-probably-hotel-scam/254/10 "2025-07-18T16:59:17Z")
@KO11 Yeah hotels are more reliable but i would prefer a place with a washing machine and kitchen. Also, is there any way that you are aware of what chain youre booking? Because its never indicated anywhere on zenhotels what company youre actually booking from which makes it quite frustrating