I had two bookings in November this year, 15 days apart with a 5 stars hotel. Non refundable. Because of political disturbances in the country where I had this booking, I was unable to go. The hotel refunded everything. They said to me I had to cancel and request the refund before 24 hours of the date I was planning to stay because after that, my credit card used to hold the reservation, would be automatically charged.
I was very impressed with that Hotel, which refunded a non refundable booking without hesitation. The political disturbances lasted one month! Very hard for those service providers.
I will try to book as often as I can with that hotel chain.
Ivi