can a california innkeeper retain my room deposit if I cancel my reservation amd hotel still sells out?

Answer 1

Absolutely. If you fail to cancel within the time that was stated when you make the reservation, you lose your deposit regardless of whether or not they rent the room. Now you can call and try to haggle with them and they may back off to show some goodwill but they are not required to do anything by law.

You are confusing it with the penalty for breaking a lease in which they can only charge you for the time in which the space is not rented. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

If you don't follow the hotel's cancellation policy, you bet they can!