White Palace Apart

The apartment for eight people that we had booked was not available, so we were put in three separate units, all substandard to some extent, but one was truly appalling. We were told it was because they had changed their website (from *********** I presume) but this is an unacceptable excuse ... they should have informed us in advance and cancelled our reservation, or provided something else of comparable quality. What we actually got was three separate units. The first two were available soon after we arrived, the third one not until much later in the day. Suite 1 for 4 people consisted of 2 bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen with many broken features (shower had to be held in hand, exposed wiring, missing light bulbs etc) but at least this one had hot water and functional plumbing (if you count a hand held shower as functional). Room 2 (for 2 people) included a small kitchenette and bathroom, and there was no hot water. But the most unacceptable accommodation, which on reflection we should have rejected on the spot was the third unit, a room that was in the process of renovation, and would not normally be rented out (but due to the size of our party and the unavailability of any other accommodation in the establishment it was used). It should have been a double room with kitchen and bathroom. But the kitchen had been stripped out, so was just an empty room with workman's equipment in. And the bathroom had been almost entirely stripped out leaving just the toilet. No wash basin or shower. On the second evening the occupant returned to the room to find men working in there, who would not leave until they finished what they were doing. It is totally unacceptable for building/renovation work to take place in a room when a guest is checked in with belongings in the room.