Very bad experience – no assistance when we needed it most
We had a succession of problems, but the worst part was that there was absolutely no one available to help us when we needed assistance in the middle of the night.
We are a family travelling with children and were due to arrive very late. Their FAQ clearly states that self check-in is possible at any time, provided you complete a form in advance.
1. A supposedly English form that wasn't fully in English
I completed the required form before our arrival. However, the "English" version still contained sections in Polish, so I had to spend time translating them myself.
2. A last-minute request for an international bank transfer
On the day of our trip, they suddenly asked me to complete the form again and make an international bank transfer to Poland to pay the local taxes. No cash payment, no credit card payment link — only a bank transfer.
I had to call them to explain that I had already completed the form and that asking for an international transfer while I was literally on my way to the airport was extremely inconvenient. Nevertheless, I made the payment, including the additional bank charges.
3. At 2 a.m., the self check-in code didn't work
They eventually sent me the access code. We arrived at around 2 a.m. with our children, only to discover that the code did not work. We were stuck outside the apartment.
4. Their advertised 24/7 assistance did not answer
I repeatedly called their 24/7 assistance number for about an hour. Nobody answered. We were left standing in the corridor in the middle of the night with our children and no way to access the accommodation.
At around 3 a.m., I had no choice but to contact Booking.com and file a complaint. Only around 4 a.m. did they finally send us a new access code. No apology, no explanation, not even a message acknowledging what had happened.
I subsequently requested a refund for the first night, since they failed to provide access to the accommodation when we arrived. They have still not even replied to my email.
What makes this even more frustrating is that they operate an entire building of rental apartments, yet there appears to be no member of their staff on site. There was only a security guard who did not work for them and could not help us.
Mistakes can happen. But if you advertise 24/7 assistance for a self check-in property, someone needs to answer when guests are locked out at 2 a.m. — especially when they are travelling with children.
A very disappointing experience and extremely poor customer service.








