Deeply disappointing stay – and Booking.com's response fell short booked a holiday home in Denmark via…
We booked a holiday home in Denmark via Booking.com and left the same night we arrived. The property was in a poor and neglected state: the hot tub was full of stagnant water with plants growing inside, there was a wheelbarrow with foul water attracting mosquitoes, the garden was overgrown and messy, the BBQ filthy, and the outdoor furniture dirty. Inside, things were worse. There was chewing tobacco (snus) on the floor, thick dust on the lamps, dirty glasses in the cupboard, and insect-filled dirt in the corners. The beds and pillows had stains and insect remains, which made us seriously concerned about bedbugs. We didn’t unpack and felt too uncomfortable to sleep. We drove home the same night, after a long and stressful day. We immediately contacted the host via Booking, but he denied everything — claiming the house was clean and the hot tub was ready to use. We shared photo evidence, yet he insisted it was our problem. Booking.com eventually offered just 10% compensation, despite clear proof the property didn’t meet hygiene or safety expectations. We've rented many holiday homes in Denmark before, including through Novasol. This was by far the worst experience, and the dismissive attitude from both the host and Booking.com only made it more frustrating. The photos speak for themselves — we simply expected better, and others should be warned.
By Marian Van S.