The Axium

I booked this place, then read the reviews and cancelled while free cancellation was still available. The booking was seven months away, but they took a pending payment as well as the full amount. The pending payment dropped off after five days, which was fine, but the actual payment went through after I’d cancelled. More than a week later I was still waiting for that refund. I emailed with no reply and planned to call that day. Based on my experience and what others have said, I’d avoid it. Almost six weeks later, the initial payment still hadn’t come back, despite the free cancellation. I emailed, called, and messaged them without getting any response. I was £88:20 out of pocket, and since I paid by credit card I was also being charged interest. Thankfully I’d used a credit card and could request a chargeback. As soon as I contacted the card issuer, I got the money back in three days. Without the card, I’d still be waiting. Absolute scammers!

We got into 40 The Axium Apt G9 around 3.30 and were back out by about 4.30, then checked into a hotel. This is a joke of a place and nothing like the “luxury” apartment advertised on Booking.com. The corridor stank, tables and the bed were broken, and the bedroom smelled so bad we had to open the window wide. There was excrement in the toilet even though we’d waited for the cleaner to finish before checking in. We had one towel for four people and no tea towel. The toilet roll had bloody pinpricks in it. Make of that what you will. They have the nerve to ask for a £100 security deposit in case of damage. Luckily, we took videos and photos when we arrived. I’m waiting for a full refund, and maybe more, since the hotel cost a bit more. I’m not posting the photos just yet. One star only because the rating system makes you give one.

The property cancelled my booking with just TWO days’ notice. Now I have nowhere to stay this weekend, and every other hotel in the area costs significantly more because it’s so short notice. Their communication since the cancellation has been appalling and rude. I looked at the reviews afterwards and kicked myself for not checking before I booked. I’m seeing the same problem come up again and again. AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS!

This is a block of flats for permanent residents, not a hotel or short-stay apartment. At least one company appears to be subletting units as hotel rooms through booking platforms, charging people and then becoming unreachable. When I tried to check in, I saw at least four others in the same predicament. Avoid it.