Traveling is meant to be a joyful escape from the mundane—a chance to explore new places, create beautiful memories, and unwind in the lap of nature. Unfortunately, our recent trip to Vagamon turned into a nightmare due to the unprofessional and deceitful behavior of a homestay we had booked through Agoda. What was supposed to be a refreshing weekend getaway quickly turned into a stressful ordeal, filled with confusion, frustration, and a deep sense of betrayal.
We had planned this trip well in advance. Ten days before our scheduled departure, we finalized a homestay in Vagamon through the Agoda platform. After going through several listings, we selected a property that appeared warm, welcoming, and well-rated. The pictures were appealing, the reviews were promising, and the price was reasonable. Once we booked the place, we received a confirmation email from Agoda, complete with the property details and a digital signature—everything appeared official and trustworthy.
However, the moment we arrived in Vagamon and reached the property, we were met with a shock that none of us were prepared for. We greeted the hosts, a middle-aged couple who owned the homestay, and mentioned our booking. To our utter disbelief, they flatly denied having any reservation under our name. At first, we thought it was a simple misunderstanding or perhaps a clerical error. We calmly showed them our booking confirmation, which included the dates, our names, and even the Agoda signature.
But instead of resolving the issue, the situation escalated. The couple looked at the confirmation, then each other, and continued to insist that they were not affiliated with Agoda at all. Their denial felt rehearsed, and it was clear they were not being honest. We pressed them further, pointing out the legitimacy of the confirmation. Still, they refused to acknowledge the booking, making flimsy excuses and behaving evasively.
It was at this point we mentioned calling the police. The mere mention of the word 'police' changed their expressions drastically. Their initial arrogance gave way to visible nervousness. They exchanged uneasy glances, whispered hurriedly to each other, and their tone became more defensive. It was clear to us that they knew something was wrong—and that they were likely caught in a lie. Whether they had overbooked the property, deliberately misrepresented their availability online, or simply refused to honor online bookings, we couldn't say for sure. But the guilt on their faces was unmistakable.
This all happened on a Saturday, the peak of the weekend rush in Vagamon. The hill station was crowded with tourists, and every decent hotel or homestay was already booked solid. What followed was a grueling, time-consuming
process of trying to find alternate accommodation—something we had never anticipated after receiving a confirmed booking.
The emotional toll of the situation...
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