Résidence Le Val d'Illaz - Val-d'Isère

WARNING: DO NOT PREPAY This is about apartment 51, managed by MONT BLANC BOOKING. We booked through booking.com, but the listing was inaccurate and the photos didn't match the apartment. Right after booking, we were told by phone that linen and towels weren't provided and would cost extra. After several calls and emails, they finally arrived two days later. The call center repeatedly refused to refund us so we could cancel straight away. Booking.com's call center wouldn't help either, and the manager never called back as promised. Booking.com is a Dutch company in Amsterdam that has recently laid off a lot of staff because of the pandemic. The Mont Blanc call center staff are apparently based in Paris and have never been to the property or Val d’Isere. They advised us to park on the street, where parking isn't permitted, since the property has no parking. Police patrol the streets constantly, and the property is right next to the police station. Use the paid parking building instead, a 5 minute walk away. The kitchen was missing essential items. The room's TV didn't work, there was no hair dryer in the bathroom, and there was no smoke or carbon monoxide alarm despite a large gas boiler in the bathroom. During our stay, the syndic of the complex came by about a maintenance issue. She was very helpful and professional, and confirmed an alarm is a legal requirement in France. She even called the owner to complain for us. We repeatedly asked for these missing essentials, but both the Mont Blanc call center and local property management staff ignored us.