Mark Jeavons, a travel blogger, was disappointed to discover that the hotel he booked in Egypt, the Pyramids and Sphinx View Hotel, was actually nonexistent. Despite being quoted at £40 per night, the address provided on the Booking.com listing turned out to be an empty back alley when he arrived. Mark was stranded and had to find emergency accommodation at The Sun and Sand Hotel, which cost him more than double the original price he had budgeted for.
Mark had booked a four-night stay at the Pyramids and Sphinx View Hotel for his solo adventure in Egypt. He had made plans to pay in person at the hotel, which did not require a deposit when booked through Booking.com. The address given was Gamal abd al nasser st nazlet elsemman, 12557, Egypt. Despite the positive reviews and rooftop views of the Pyramids featured on the listing, Mark found himself without a place to stay upon arrival, causing him to search for last-minute accommodation elsewhere.
The hotel’s reviews on Booking.com were glowing, and Mark did not hesitate to book based on them. However, he later discovered on Google reviews that it was a known scam and other guests had warned against booking there. After Mark complained to Booking.com, the hotel vanished from the site, but remains visible on Trivago with no photos or reviews, only a location on a map. The Sphinx and Pyramids View hotel, uploaded on July 19, 2024, received a 9.0 rating with glowing recommendations, despite some reviewers calling it a scam.
Despite the initial setback, Mark continued to enjoy his time in Egypt, touring the pyramids, temples, and even taking a hot air balloon ride over Luxor. Being a seasoned traveler who has visited over 40 countries, Mark shared his experiences on his MJ Travel Guides blog. He expressed that solo traveling allowed for more freedom, and he was glad he was not accompanied by a wife and children during this incident.
In response to Mark’s experience, a spokesperson for Booking.com expressed regret and stated that they were investigating the matter further. While the hotel had successfully hosted other guests, actions were being taken to address the situation and support the customer. Despite the inconvenience Mark faced with the fake hotel booking, he was able to make the most of his trip to Egypt and continue sharing his adventures with his readers on his travel blog.
Overall, the story of Mark Jeavons highlights the risks associated with booking accommodations online, even when positive reviews are present. Despite falling victim to a scam, Mark was able to salvage his trip to Egypt and make the most of his time in the country. His experience serves as a cautionary tale for other travelers to remain vigilant when booking accommodations and to thoroughly research any potential scam alerts before making reservations.
