Music festival "Dirtybird" reportedly failed to pay hotel venue, reports The Festive Owl

Attendees of Dirtybird CampINN this past weekend in Orlando are reporting unexpected charges of over $1,000 on their credit cards, after the event’s host hotel allegedly did not receive payment from the event organizers.

As was reported by The Festival Owl on Facebook, HomeBass—the group contracted to handle lodging—failed to pay the DoubleTree Orlando on time despite a pre-event agreement. As a result, the hotel placed large holds on every attendee’s credit card just to check into their rooms. Some of those holds exceeded $1,000.

During the weekend, event organizers assured attendees that the show was fully secured and that incidental charges beyond what was promised in the event FAQ would be refunded. However, as of checkout, the DoubleTree maintained that it still had not received payment. Attendees were charged in full, and the hotel stated that refunds would only be possible if or when HomeBass eventually paid them—without any guarantees.

The hotel emphasized that it is not responsible for issuing refunds, since HomeBass was contractually responsible for covering those costs. The DoubleTree noted that it was only a vendor, not the promoter or ticket supplier.

The original ticket price was advertised as all-inclusive, covering both the festival and the on-site hotel stay. While the event itself did take place, the billing dispute remains unresolved, leaving many attendees uncertain about when—or if—their charges will be refunded.

For more, find The Festive Owl’s page on Facebook.

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In a follow-up statement released after the weekend, Dirtybird CampINN organizers acknowledged the payment delay, attributing it to slower-than-expected room and ticket sales. They stated that the full balance had since been paid to the DoubleTree, resolving the contractual dispute with the venue.

Organizers further assured attendees that any credit card charges beyond the standard incidental holds would be automatically refunded. They stated that refunds should appear within 2–5 business days and emphasized that no guest would be left responsible for costs already covered by their ticket purchase.

The team also expressed gratitude to fans, artists, staff, and partners for making the event possible under challenging circumstances, while apologizing for the stress caused by the check-in confusion. They urged attendees to focus on the community and music that brought them together, promising to learn from the incident for future editions of the festival.

Some attendees have reported that as of this time, the charges are still pending on their credit cards.