Booked a stay at Kalmar Village for Tues, July 1 - Friday, July 5 (3 nights) for a total cost of…read more$820.02 inclusive of tax/fees ($273.34/night). I was meeting up with some friends, and one of their kids wanted me to stay an extra night, so I called the next day to see if it was possible to ADD a night, and Dave P said it was no problem, "simply" cancel through booking.com, and he would just book the room through him directly with no penalty. Made it sound easy. I decided not to go this route. I kept it for just 3 nights - thankfully!
Admittedly, I knew the room was non-refundable, especially given the holiday week, but when the trip neared I was not feeling well at all. I have been on chemo since January 2024, and was hopeful I would continue to feel okay enough to travel and relax on a beach (umbrella and sunscreen). I contacted Dave to see if it was possible to get a partial refund. He was unaccommodating to say the least, Dave's sad attempt to explain that since I went through booking.com it would be more difficult to adjust and he would have to rent the room for the amount I paid in order to "consider" a refund. (what happened to it "was so easy" when I wanted to add a day, Dave?) I asked if I could move the dates, and he said that could work. I tried to get a time that wouldn't be busy and said maybe Mid-August. I am a teacher, so flexible in summer. Dave retorted that Aug was far enough away that he could still book those nights regularly, so that didn't work for him. I figured, forget it - I will just try to go and have fun. Dave talks in circles much l ike chasing a leashed dog around a tree.
The room was dated, which could have been overlooked, but it was disgusting. See photos. I pulled back the sheets and discovered a blood (?) stain and another suspicious spot. The rug and couch cover were old and both smelled moldy. I was in the room that overlooked the pool on ground level so I had to keep shades draw, but they were broken and didn't slide all the way over. There were those small black flies in the room and hallway that I can only equate to raw sewage. It is weird that the establishment doesn't show many room pictures! Should have been a red flag! To add insult to injury, I was also having issues with neuropathy from the chemo and was struggling to get around. Imagine pins and needles in your feet and then try to walk on sand. I lasted one night and part of Weds. It broke my heart to leave before the 4th of July, but I had to get home. I didn't feel safe at Kalmar, it didn't feel clean, and I was miserable. My doctors recommended I return home to be seen.
I explained things to Dave, and even showed him my hair loss and told him I was very sorry. Cancer is such a bitch. I would appreciate at least one night's refund. He just said that he could only "Maybe refund the last night of (my) stay, IF we can get in touch with booking.com AND if he can rent the room in time.
I followed ALL of Dave's steps and the room was re-rented. So my refund should have been for one night's stay at approximately $274. I was appalled to get this response.
"...we'll contact booking,com to have them readjust the price of your stay as if you had originally booked for 2 nights instead of 3. The 2 night stay avg. rate was slightly higher as an additional discount was incorporated into the 3 night stay rate".
Now, I understand these places need to make money, however - it's a medical reason to cancel! I have cancer, not the sniffles or just blowing the guy off. Anyone on chemo will tell you it gets progressively worse, and there are good days and bad days. Dave had less than ZERO compassion. I get it, I took a risk in booking it, but he did very little to work with me. He made me jump through hoops for how much? I thought I would get about $274 back, but he refunded $224 - he NEVER mentioned the rate would change and I would get less back, but took another $50 from me. I suppose I am to be grateful I received some money, but still will never book this place again.
There are so many other places down in this area - skip Dave and Kalmar. You can do better!