Got scammed by a fake hostel booking in Barcelona

I showed up to this place near Las Ramblas at 10pm with my kids after a long flight and the door had a padlock on it. Turns out the listing was a ghost address and I had paid $180 upfront through a shady booking site. Ended up walking 20 minutes to a random hotel that had a last minute cancellation for $60 a night. The room smelled like cigarettes but at least we had a roof. Now I only book through sites that let me pay at check in. Has anyone else had a fake listing waste your trip?

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the_derek1mo ago

Find out how @raymitchell handled his Rome situation or just eat the loss too?

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raymitchell1mo ago

Man that's rough, especially with kids in tow after a long flight. I had a similar thing happen in Rome a few years back, booked a place that looked legit and showed up to an abandoned building. It really makes you appreciate the simple stuff like a door that opens and a room that doesn't smell like an ashtray.

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