This is the first time I have used Holiday-rentals.co.uk and it will definitely be the last.
We have recently spent a week at TORRE DEI CAVALIERI Property 72226.
The apartment "theme" is described as "luxury historic".
When we first entered the apartment there was a very unhealthy musty smell, which combined with the dust, gave us headaches and sore throats - in fact we seriously considered getting the next flight home. However we decided to persevere and spent three hours cleaning the place out. We also had to buy two new pillows as the ones inside the apartment where all stained.
The advertisement is also very misleading in its description of the tower itself as its name "Torre dei Cavalieri" leads you to believe it is an original tower used by the knights and this is reinforced by the description i.e. "a beautifully reconstructed medieval tower". We learned however that it used to be an old house and never was a tower at all.
Upon returning back to the UK we got in touch with the advertiser and complained and offered to send him the pictures of what we had found.
He replied he would look into it when he visits Malta in October and that is the last we have heard from him.
This was seven weeks ago.
We have got in touch with Holiday-rentals.co.uk and explained the situation and also sent them photos of what we had found.
Their reply was a Standard email stating that if we wanted they could forward our email complaint to the advertiser and Holiday-Rentals.co.uk is simply a publisher of advertisements for privately owned holiday property and cannot accept any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the advertisements, or any alleged breaches of contract on an advertiser's part.
I emailed back saying I found their email very disturbing and immoral. In other words you are saying as long as we get paid from the advertiser it has nothing more to do with us and you are quite happy to be partly responsible for holidaymakers being conned even after you have been made aware of the situation.
That is the last time I have heard from them.
I am sure most of the advertisers on the site are doing a great job however people be warned if something goes wrong you have no comeback whatsoever.
I have looked at their website and Terms and Conditions. They state quite bluntly that if you are not happy with any part of them or the properties they advertise - TOUGH
I would suggest speaking to your local trading Standards - In my personal opinion they are unfair. If they agree then they will be able to advise what action you or they may be able to take.
fwh
The advertisement is also very misleading in its description of the tower itself as its name "Torre dei Cavalieri" leads you to believe it is an original tower used by the knights
I don't think it is misleading.
If you read it it says it is a A beautifully reconstructed medieval tower, "Torre dei Cavalieri.
This is true.
It also doesn't mention anything about knights using it.
it says
A beautifully reconstructed medieval tower, "Torre dei Cavalieri", in the heart of Birgu (named Vittoriosa after the victory over the Turks in 1565) overlooking the most elegant harbour in Malta (Grand Harbour Marina) with stunning views over the waterfront and adjacent to the oldest and most historical buildings (St. Lawrence - the Knights' original Cathedral; The Inquisitors' Palace, the Auberges of Provence, Auvergne, Italy, England, etc.)
Holiday-rentals I doubt check the properties that are advertised on their site, it's purely an advertising tool.
To be honest Glynis I do not expect Holiday-rentals to check the properties advertised however after a complaint backed up by photos I would have thought they would have showed a bit more interest.
The best way to getting compensation is by making these facts undisputable.
Showing emotion and throwing in bits and pieces of information not relevant (such as, for example, "we did not like the taste of the food") will most likely result in the investigation of the complaint taking longer.
Mark
I've looked at the property and it does look nice so can see why you booked it but apart from warning others I don't think there's much you can do.
They do not accept any responsibility for anything. They state that quite clearly. You accept that as a condition of doing business with them.
This complaint really does reinforce the message that is regularly put forward here on HT - Read the T&Cs very carefully before you book.
If not happy then go somewhere else.
fwh
The only reason I posted here was not because I thought I would get compensation but to make people aware.
My friend has booked private accommodation in the past which hasn't been exactly how it looked/was described on the websites so I know that it can and does happen.
Many thanks for making the public aware of this particular accommodation. Perhaps you could email the owners again asking if they have indeed checked their apartment.
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