Royally fucked over by Diamonds Lodge on booking.com and can't contact anyone

[Gingernaut]

I've booked 8 nights in a guest house in York

The pictures were fine and I've had no issues with booking.com before

I've arrived and it's a barely disguised HMO with drunks in the front garden, no reception, no one on site and my room is at the top of the house giving Rising Damp vibes

The hotel website Diamonds Lodge.com redirects to a China tourist page, the email is a Gmail and I can't get hold of anyone.

It is an absolute shit hole and apparently I forfeit the entire fee if I walk.

How do I remedy this

I've tried calling booking.com, but I'm cut off as soon as I speak to someone.

Post on social media. I’d also sue the words “safeguarding issues” as you’re a one female and there’s drunk men and no on site staff

The electrics were hair raising

There were unidentifiable wires on the stairs, completely painted over, but were clearly bare before they were painted

This and the fake photos on their website are dreadful https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186346-d17803978-Reviews-Diamonds_Lodge-York_North_Yorkshire_England.html

@Gingernaut please report it here (when you have moved) and they will deal quite quickly https://www.northyorksfire.gov.uk/business-safety/concerns-about-fire-safety-form/

That place looks dire.

https://www.diamondslodge.com/ Chinese cities

https://www.diamondslodge.co.uk/ your hotel

That rooms seen some things hasn’t it!

hope it all works out for you op and you get your money back quickly

their mobile number - 07340631122

@Gingernaut just wanted to say I feel your pain, I stayed here for a week 5 years ago while I started a new job (but didn’t have my flat yet).

Cash was very tight at the time and it was the cheapest I could find. But it was new then and still terrible. A very scary place to stay, and seems a very dodgy operation. I'm still in York now and I think the owners run a couple of businesses.

Glad you've found a Premier Inn.

Too late now but why didn't you check the reviews? All the two star ratings and pictures of dirty rooms would be enough to ring alarm bells.

When I called the number stuck on a sign on the front door, the woman asked where I was - she was controlling multiple sites

Booking.com are about as much use as a chocolate fireguard

I've just checked that website, OP: it shows images of blue Caribbean seas outside the windows of the generic smart hotel rooms. Did that not set alarm bells ringing for you?

I was surprised to find the only pictures of the rooms was a bathroom and even more surprised to find it's a preferred partner and Booking.com get extra money if you book it . I would be sharing those images on the site and all over social media and give it a 1 star .

I just received a message from Diamonds Lodge

Right.

Cracks knuckles....

Aiways go for a Chain hotel .I find that they are so much better and clean/reliable.Glad you have somewhere now.We had a bad experience in Cyprus a while ago now .Got moved to a decent hotel .Told the company my friend was a journalist on the local paper (she was) Money refunded straight away .

I've not been invited to review by booking.com and leave a review, in spite of my 'custom'

Google won't let me leave a review without giving my contact details to Diamonds Lodge (fuck that)

Maybe that's why there are so few negative reviews...

I'm glad you're sorted @Gingernaut .
I had an FB memory today of our holiday in York last summer. We stayed at the Novotel with no problem.

I left a Google review, but my pictures did not show up and all the negative reviews are overwhelmed by the positive.

I almost booked there once. Think there are several different ones. But the one near the hospital gets good reviews on booking.com. But thanks for the heads up op.

Stays there lads and it is noce.

Can you give them false details, or use a throwaway email address?

Contact the fire authorities. They won't want to put their staff at risk dealing with totally avoidable deathtraps like that.