2024 Silverstone Festival Escapade booking cancellations

[Caterhamfan]

We came over to the UK from NZ to go to the Silverstone Festival and booked a trackside residence at Silverstone's Escapade development so we could enjoy the Festival without the hassle of driving in each day with the associated traffic queuing etc. (We did enough of that getting to and from Goodwood over the years!)

We were contacted by Escapade on the 13th August to say that, as the accommodation wasn't ready, they were cancelling the booking and refunding our payment. Annoyed doesn't even begin to describe my feelings! Luckily, the Hilton on the circuit still had space, but it means a hotel room rather than an apartment, but at least we're sorted.

The Escapade website says "Opening July 2024", so timeframe was obviously a bit tight for the Festival. I don't know how much of the acommodation is unfinished, have any other PHers had the same experience, or have we just been very unlucky?

[ChrisJ.]

Caterhamfan said:

We were contacted by Escapade on the 13th August to say that, as the accommodation wasn't ready, they were cancelling the booking and refunding our payment. Annoyed doesn't even begin to describe my feelings! Luckily, the Hilton on the circuit still had space, but it means a hotel room rather than an apartment, but at least we're sorted.

Exactly the same thing has happened to a member of our car club, but UK based.
Glad you got into the Hilton.

[SV_WDC]

Maybe you can claim money back via travel insurance if you're out for a greater amount. The Hilton at the circuit looks good, perhaps you can watch the racing from your room...

[Caterhamfan]

SV_WDC said:

Maybe you can claim money back via travel insurance if you're out for a greater amount. The Hilton at the circuit looks good, perhaps you can watch the racing from your room...

Haha! No need, the Hilton (room) was cheaper than Escapade (apartment) and I managed to get a track view room. We are opposite the pits, just to the side of the bridge from the hotel to the Wing, and are currently watching various of Ayrton Senna's cars being arranged on the starting grid for a photo shoot
And, yes, it is a lovely hotel, very impressed so far!

[Dazzled]

I know it’s no consolation but the restaurant at Escapade is now open and very good it is too. Had lunch there today. You don’t need to be staying there. Excellent view of the circuit as you’d expect and some lovely pieces of motor racing art.

[Caterhamfan]

Dazzled said:

I know it’s no consolation but the restaurant at Escapade is now open and very good it is too. Had lunch there today. You don’t need to be staying there. Excellent view of the circuit as you’d expect and some lovely pieces of motor racing art.

Our room is opposite the startline and we can see the cars coming out of the final corner onto the straight. Had a great day yesterday looking at all the car club displays and saw Escapade from the inside of the circuit. It didn't look particularly "unfinished" from a distance - and plenty of the units seemed to be occupied....

Edited to add that, according to Escapade, "none of our residences are occupied, as they are still being completed. We have been hosting show rounds during the day, however none are being used for overnight guests."

Edited by Caterhamfan on Saturday 24th August 21:53