Palm Aparts Warsaw

The noise went on all night, the same pounding sound over and over. It felt like torture, and I can't understand why they kept playing it. We won't stay here again. There was no heating in the apartment, so nights were cold, and the bathroom sink was missing its plug. We also had just two towels for four days. My double bed had a paper-thin summer duvet, and when we called, they said there was another equally thin one under the bed settee.

The apartment was clean and tidy, and it was close to public transport and the main sights. But you could hear every footstep in the corridor through the thin walls. It also needed more basic kitchen things: there weren't enough spoons, forks, plates, or bowls for cereal, and there was no microwave.

I never stayed there, but I was still charged the full amount. I had surgery and was extremely ill, so I contacted the host two weeks ahead to ask about changing my one-night booking. After I had to follow up, they said cancellations or date changes were allowed only up to 14 days before the stay, which was exactly when I asked. I offered proof of the surgery and asked them to make an exception, but got no reply. Booking also tried to reach the host and heard nothing. Special circumstances can happen to anyone, yet they showed no flexibility.

The apartment was decent for the price, clean, and had the basics for a short stay. You can walk to the Palace of Culture and Old Town. I arrived on an early flight and asked about checking in early. Staff said they couldn't promise it, though they'd try to prioritize cleaning, and that I could leave my bags in the room if it was still being cleaned. It was ready by the time I got there. The downside was the thin walls: people across the hall came back from a night out and started screaming at 3 a.m.