Changing a B&B reservation penalization

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Hello all. I am currently staying in a B&B with my mom outside of Appenzell. I had originally booked 3 nights and was told that no deposit was required and that we would need to pay in cash. All fine. Then the morning of the first day, I got a migraine and could not go and needed to change the reservation from 3 to 1 night. I did check his emails to see if there is a cancellation policy indicated but there was none, so I treated it like a hotel and cancelled at 11 am (usually needs to be done before 3 pm).

When we arrived, our host was kind but also put out by our change of dates despite indicating no cancellation policy. As a result, he wants us to pay more than 1 night. He says he received other requests which he had to reject. This seems unlikely as he has 2 other rooms that are not rented. Plus, it is in the middle of nowhere so not like the middle of Appenzell.

Might anyone have any suggestions or advice?

Thanks!

2
Totally fair that you should pay for part of cost- especially as you didn't even cancel 48h in advance, or even 24, meaning the owner had no chance to re-book.

This is from a uk B&B website:

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation of any booking will only be accepted in writing or by email. In the event of a cancellation more than 21 days before the reservation, all monies paid less deposit will be returned to the guest. In the event of a cancellation less than 21 days before the first reservation the guest will be liable for the whole amount of the booking. B & B Nationwide will encourage the host to re-let the accommodation and if successful will refund all monies collected less deposit.

and from another:

Cancellation

Should you be forced to cancel a reservation:

- Up to 20 days prior to the date of your expected arrival we will refund your the down payment minus 30 Euros which we must keep to cover our expenses.

- Less then 20 days prior to the date of your expected arrival we will keep 100% of the down payment.

- If for any reason you are a "no show" (you do not give any advance notice that you will not be arriving) or a cancellation notification is not received at least 72 hours prior to your arrival (GMT+1) , in addition to keeping 100% of the down payment we will charge you an amount equal to one night's rate for the accommodation.

They are all pretty much the same.

3
Most of the B&B accommodation that I have booked in Switzerland expect a cancellation to be at least 24 or 48 hours before arrival. It seems reasonable to make a charge for late cancellation.

Do you have travel insurance that may cover medical reasons?

4
unlike the other 2 posters above... if nowhere on your booking communication is a cancellation policy then thats just tough for the business.

Its the cost of doing business badly.

Its also totally irrelevant what other business or countries do, the only thing that matters is what that particular business does.

5
Fair point. Whilst I think that a cancellation charge would be reasonable, if it is not within the terms then I guess that they can't impose it