Headline: Norwegian Family‘s Holiday Nightmare: ‘We Were Kicked Out of Our Booked Apartment‘
Subheadline: A family of four had their Gran Canaria holiday ruined when they were told their booked apartment had been sold, leaving them homeless during the crucial Christmas and New Year period.
By [Your Name], News Editor
A Norwegian family’s Christmas and New Year holiday turned into a nightmare when they were told their booked apartment on Gran Canaria had been sold, leaving them homeless during the crucial period.
Idun Thorvaldsen and her family had booked three different apartments in the Patalavaca area for their winter getaway, but their plans quickly unraveled. After a smooth first week, they were left stranded when the second apartment’s reception was closed on their arrival day.
Idun told Amta, "We had contacted the accommodation before our arrival to inquire about check-in as the reception was closed on weekends. But we didn’t get a reply, so we went there anyway. When we arrived, no one was there to greet us, and we couldn’t get into our booked apartment."
After a frantic search, they managed to contact Booking.com, who informed them that the apartment had been sold months ago. The family was shocked and helpless. "We were looking forward to moving in, unpacking our luggage, and enjoying our holiday. Then this news came, and we didn’t know what to do," Idun recalled.
The Search for Alternative Accommodation
Booking.com offered an alternative apartment, but it was already booked from January 28th, not December 28th. Desperate, the family agreed to a third option, only to find out it costs a staggering 11,000 euros (around 130,000 Norwegian Kroner) per week – an amount they couldn’t afford.
After a stressful day, the family managed to secure a few extra nights in one of the first apartments with the help of family friends. However, they had to sacrifice their daughter, Helene, who decided to return to Norway temporarily due to lack of space.
Booking.com’s Response
Booking.com responded to the situation, stating, "It’s true that the current property was sold several months before the guests’ arrival date. However, we didn’t receive any notice of the contract termination that ensured the property’s availability on our platform. According to our guidelines, it’s the property owner’s responsibility to inform us of any changes in availability status. In this case, no communication was registered before December 28th."
The family remains frustrated with the experience, with Idun stating, "I will never use Booking.com again. We were left in the lurch, and this shouldn’t have happened."
This article aims to inform readers about the family’s distressing holiday experience and serve as a cautionary tale for those planning their trips with online booking platforms.
Worth a look