I Found Dozens of Cockroaches in a Booking.com Rental but Still Got No Refund
On the second day of Eid, I finally found a rental property on Booking.com (Reservation No: 6378635888) and paid immediately before hitting the road with my wife and two kids. I’ve booked dozens of places through Booking.com over the years because I trusted that, if something went wrong, Booking.com would stand behind me—not just the host.
But when we arrived that evening, we were horrified. The apartment was infested with cockroaches—dead, dying, and crawling around. Not just a few—at least 40 to 50, some still twitching on the floor. You can see the evidence in the attached photos. The smell of pesticide was overwhelming, and staying the night would’ve been dangerous to our health. I contacted the host immediately. They admitted the home had just been treated and told us to cancel and promised a refund.
We left right away, but I never received my money back. And worst of all, Booking.com refused to help. Despite providing clear photo evidence, Booking.com chose to side with the host and denied the refund. I was shocked. A company I once trusted proved they protect their partners, not their users—no matter how strong the proof.
The cost was around €240–250 (₺), but this isn’t just about the money. It’s about principle and accountability. Booking.com let my family be exposed to unsafe conditions and offered zero support. If you're using this platform thinking they’ll protect your rights as a guest—think again. I demand a full refund and expect Booking.com to reassess its priorities.
