Booking.com review: Full or at least partial refund of the reservation fee

Hello,

I've booked a 5 nights stay (28 Oct. to 2 Nov. 2023) at The Park Hotel (64, Belgrave Road, Westminster Borough, London, SW1V 2BP, United Kingdom), confirmation #[protected], via Booking.com, for the total value of 920€.

The purpose of my trip was to visit a friend who lives in London.

One day before the intended travel, I was informed that my friend has tragically lost his father in the current Middle-East war. Needless to say I had to cancel the entire trip.

I've requested the cancellation of the reservation on Booking.com, via the online form. Having not received a reply, I contacted Booking.com by phone on 27 Oct. evening. I was informed by their agent that they will contact the hotel, and that the hotel "will do the necessary".

Minutes after, I received an email from Booking.com explaining that they approached The Park Hotel on my behalf to request the cancellation, and that the accommodation is unable to make an exception in this case, and I will be charged the entire reservation fee, i.e. the whole 920€.

I have contacted the hotel directly to explain the situation, but they have reiterated their refusal to cancel the reservation, or even part of it.

Considering this is an Act Of God, I believe I should be reimbursed, at least partially, for the reservation.

Let alone enforcing the legal aspect of an Act Of God, I estimate that a human understanding of the tragic situation should be taken into consideration.