Fake hotel bookings send tourists to Wetherspoon, staff turn away up to 20 guests daily

According to consumer‑rights organisation Which?, an expanding fraud operation is diverting unsuspecting travellers to a Wetherspoon pub rather than a hotel, forcing the venue to refuse as many as twenty people each day.

The deception seems to stem from online reservation sites that list a phantom accommodation using the pub’s address. Visitors receive confirmation emails that appear authentic, only to show up at the pub expecting a room, only to encounter a lively bar with no lodging, leading to confusion and disappointment.

Staff at the Wetherspoon outlet say the situation has become a routine nuisance. "We keep getting people at the door asking for a key or a room, and we have to explain that we are a pub, not a hotel," one employee told Which?. The team has begun denying entry to parties that seem to be searching for accommodation, aiming to lessen the pressure on the premises and safeguard other patrons.

Which? has flagged the trend in a recent warning, indicating that the misuse of the chain’s address has been linked to several fraudulent listings. The consumer group recommends travellers verify the exact address of any lodging, confirm the property has its own website or phone number, and book through reputable sites that provide secure payment options.

Scams involving online bookings have surged dramatically in recent years, driven by the ease of creating bogus listings and the strong demand for inexpensive stays. Authorities are calling on platforms to strengthen verification procedures and urging consumers to stay alert. Meanwhile, the Wetherspoon pub hopes the exposure will discourage scammers and allow normal service to resume for its regular customers.