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.

Surely your contract was with booking.com?
I would be all over twitter, or X whatever!

I think part of the problem with bookings, if you read the reviews, is that Diamond Lodge uses nearby Diamond Villa as an overflow. That one does much better on TripAdvisor

But if you booked Diamond Lodge, that's where your review will go on booking.com.

Then rooms are very different shapes and sizes because it's not custom built accommodation.

Monkgate. I drove past it today and noticed the branding. Looks respectable from the outside!

I've found a Diamonds Guest House as well

Same thing

Photos from when it was an OYO Rooms, but the most recent reviews are appalling

OYO don't seem to have rooms in York anymore

How many of these doss houses are there?

https://www.diamondsinn.co.uk/

https://www.diamondsguesthouse.com/

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

https://diamondsvilla.co.uk/

All showing pictures from previous proprietors and all with car crash reviews on Trip Advisor

A few are showing up on TripAdvisor as OYO Rooms, but they don't seem to have rooms in York anymore

Oh look, another one

https://emeraldresidence.co.uk/

Maybe get in touch with The Times’ Travel Doctor. She tends to get things sorted for people who’ve had awful travel experiences. Here’s her Twitter profile.

Thanks.

I need to calm down and try to enjoy what's left of my holiday.

Right now, I want these shysters wiped off the map

If they offer a refund for a positive reviews, I won't take it - I won't lie

I'm going to give to practice my best Angey People in Local Newspapers, or Daily Mail sad face, aren't I?

apiln.co.uk/

Should get as many people on this thread to call them and complain on your behalf and give the money back! Did you have a good day, despite all this?

Yup

Lots to see and got ideas for museums and galleries.

Even though it's pretty small, there's a lot to do and see

Nearly everywhere describes itself as "York's best kept secret"

There are 2 blokes who own several of these Diamond accommodation businesses - all listed on Companies House.

Mohammed Ismail Miah

Mohammed Makshuder Rahman

Useful

Thank you

Maybe mumsnetters should all leave trip advisor reviews. Wonder what would happen?

The fire risk is likely to be the most effective route though.

Practicing my best Daily Mail sad face as I type

I hope you’ve enjoyed drinks at one of the riverside pub patios in the sun today OP. I can’t think of a better way to spend a sunny afternoon than down there.

I'm just exploring at the minute.

Terrified of heights, I went to Clifford' Tower, walked up to the roof, walked over the roof (I could see between the wooden planks), walked around the interior (on see-through ganging) and went up and down the steep stairs

I was terrified.

It was a lovely day aside from the terror

I'm having trouble trying to work out where to go tomorrow - throw a stone and you hit a sodding museum, gallery or exhibition

@Gingernaut have you walked the walls? The Minster is pretty impressive but expensive. I live here and am trying to think what you could do on a sunny day. Boat trip?

If I wasn't working I would take you out for lunch. Happy to take you out for a drink in the evening.

It is an amazing city. I promise.

It is an amazing city. I promise

Oh yes, I can see - there's so much to see and do, I'm spoilt for choice

I've walked part of the wall, but I didn't realise that much of the walls have no inner rail - I'm going to have to tackle the whole thing when I'm feeling a bit braver - I'm staying near Micklegate

River cruises, ghost buses, ghost walks, Dungeon, galleries and museums - Castle, Minster, Chocolate, York Army, Georgian House, Convent - even some of the gates have museums

I promise, I'm not bored

Thinking of the sunny weather, we had a lovely lunch in the yard of this cafe.

http://www.mannionandco.co.uk/york-mannion-and-co-kitchen.html

I also like the outdoor of https://www.luciawinebar.co.uk/lucia-york/ and the terrace at https://www.starinnthecity.co.uk/

Hoping your trip is joyous.

Minster is free for evensong I believe. And a much better experience than when it's jam packed with tourists.

Yes, and the evensong is incredibly beautiful. They did do a collection I think, when we went.

There were so few people that we were allowed to sit inside the part where the choir etc normally sit - in enormous carved chairs, most of which had the names of bishops in them.

Definitely worth a visit.

If you're getting fed up of tourists, you're only 20 mins by train from Leeds.

The Minster is a must. Railway museum is good too.