“Rocambolesque et problématique”
The accommodation felt cozy and the backyard was beautiful, and the area was quiet and rural. However, upon arrival the place smelled moldy and the air was awful. We mentioned it to “Maria” (a fictitious name given by GuestReady) and were told to ventilate the space. We tried that a few days before leaving and experimented with other fixes, like turning off the heating while we were away and keeping windows open behind the awnings to let air in. That worked, so we concluded the heating was the culprit. Apparently the heat pump had never been cleaned, so the air it expelled carried mold and damp dust. We contacted the company for a solution, but they were skeptical and demanded evidence. We opened the panel and confirmed dust, mold, and fragments of plaster or cement behind it – likely dropped from the ceiling when it was installed. This was a health issue for us and our 3‑month‑old baby. Booking did almost nothing except promise a €26 voucher, which was far too little for a change of accommodation due to health concerns. We reached out a third time for a refund, and were told they would “contact the team.” We believe the pressure and photos sent to Booking eventually reached the company, as they eventually offered us a new place. I also note the baby playpen that was provided smelled of mold, as if it had been stored in a damp, unventilated room for months or years, yet there were no visible mold spots. It must have been cleaned before, but the odor remained. The baby had trouble sleeping, more so than usual, for sure!
CatherineHá 8 meses