Now not all will, but as a general rule, many hotels will overbook.
This is because hotels experience on average 5 - 15 percent vacancy rate of no show guest. And not wanting an empty room, they overbook.
There are ways to avoid this, and that is to arrive as early as you can. Don't wait till late in the day to head to the hotel to check in. It's primarily first come first booked in.
But should you find your self without a room due to overbooking, you do have some rights and power to your favor.
First, you have the right to ether a full refund if you demand one, or the hotel has that is acceptable to you should be found. You can define what makes a location convenient. With-in reason, only if there are rooms available.
If an alternative hotel is found, you have the right to a refund if the alternative hotel is cheaper, or if the rate is higher, the first hotel should pay the difference in rate.
The booting hotel should also ether shuttle you to the new hotel, or pay a taxi to take you.
You should get 1 free long distance phone call if needed to let friends/family know of the hotel switch.
Don't be afraid to demand hotel points toward a free night. A free meal at the hotel.
Lastly, Don’t get upset at the front desk person. It is not their personal fault, and you’d rather have them onside so you get the most out of a bad situation.