Looking for accommodation for my family's trip to Normandy last month, we reserved a 4-person apartment for our 3-day stay. We made the reservation via email, and were assured that the apartment was reserved for us, following the provision of our credit card details.
Safe in the knowledge that we had found accommodation in the centre of Ste Mère Église, we arrived at the appointed time, where we were duly informed that we would have two separate double rooms in different parts of the building. When I queried this, I was told that the apartment was occupied. We were shown to the rooms which we'd been allocated. The first was a lean-to at the back of the building. Damp, and unclean, we were left unimpressed. The second room was in the main building on the first floor. It was in better condition than the lean-to, but nothing like the apartment we'd expected.
After much debate, it was decided that I would share the internal room with my mother, and that my father and brother would sleep in the lean-to. The lean-to was equipped with a kitchenette in the typical French style (two ring hob, fridge, microwave). Above the kitchenette was a sign informing us that we would be able to use the electricity for just €5/day! This was not mentioned during the booking process, in which numerous emails were exchanged. Neither were any other extra charges which were later foisted upon us. At least when using Ryanair, you're aware that there will be hidden extras...
The final straw came when we explored further. The furniture in the room was damp and chipped, and the bathroom was in poor condition. This triggered a row which resulted in my going to the Tourism Office to seek advice regarding securing a refund. The lady who helped us was very helpful, and having mediated, informed us that we had not secured the room as we had failed to provide the proprietor with our credit card details.
We knew this to be untrue, but after a heated discussing with the proprietor, we succeeded in getting a full refund.
We ended up spending €100 extra on the Kyriad Hotel in Carentan, but our opinion is that it was well worth the extra money, in order to have a clean room with the facilities advertised.
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