DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE – HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES & UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Update- 3 weeks later and still no reply from the retreat owner and no refund!
I booked a 7-night stay with Yoga Weeks in Barcelona through BookRetreats.com but cancelled my booking immediately upon arrival due to unacceptable hygiene conditions and significant discrepancies between the property and its online description.
HEALTH & SAFETY CONCERNS:
• The accommodation was in poor condition, both in terms of hygiene and in its accuracy compared to the listing on the website. Immediately upon using the bathroom, I encountered a huge cockroach in the shower tray, which raises serious hygiene and health concerns for guests.
• When I reported this to the cleaner, she acknowledged it was a known issue due to warm pipes. Another staff member further confirmed that despite attempts to disinfect, the infestation persists. This seemed to be a recurring known problem.
• In addition, the overall condition of the accommodation (interior, fixtures and furnishings) showed clear signs of neglect: shabby, worn, and poorly maintained. A stark contrast to the clean and inviting environment depicted in the listing. The room I was assigned lacked basic furnishings such as a chair or stool to place my belongings. When I asked the cleaner for one, she directed me to the garden where a couple of damaged red plastic wire chairs were available. The property was clearly misrepresented and did not align with the online advertised standards.
UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
• Despite raising the issue immediately with Yoga Weeks (and BookRetreats.com) and asked for a full refund, the owner of Yoga Weeks remained unresponsive for 12 days before ultimately declining to authorise a refund, despite earlier indications to the contrary.
• This lack of communication is sadly consistent with my overall experience with Yoga Weeks in Barcelona.
• This lack of responsiveness and unwillingness to resolve the matter demonstrated a clear absence of professionalism and accountability.
OUTCOME
• The whole experience was extremely stressful and disappointing and completely contrary to the purpose of a retreat.
• The issues encountered prevented me from staying at the property. I was forced to secure alternative accommodation and shorten my trip because of the additional expense.
RECOMMENDATION
• Fellow travelers should exercise caution when booking Yoga Weeks in Barcelona.
• Based on my experience, the accommodation does not meet advertised standards, and support from both Yoga Weeks in Barcelona and BookRetreats.com was inadequate.
• It is advisable not to pay in advance and to inspect the Yoga Weeks accommodation in person before committing.
• There are many alternative accommodation options in Barcelona that offer better hygiene, maintenance, and value for money, while yoga classes can be easily arranged separately.
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