Report Abuse

Report this review to the Review Centre Team

Here at Review Centre we work hard to make sure we are the best place on the internet for honest, unbiased consumer reviews - we are grateful for your help in keeping us that way!

1528491

Why are you reporting this review?

If you represent this business why not claim your page by creating a Free Business Account where you will receive improved review monitoring functionality.


★☆☆☆☆

“Wimdu Hong Kong waist of money”

written by on 26/04/2012

Be Very Careful of Wimdu and StudioStudio in Hong Kong
 
Hey here is a review of my unfortunate experience with Wimdu and StudioStudio.
 
We were moving to Hong Kong and thought it might be a good idea to stay in cheap accommodation for first two months and then look for a more permanent place whilst we in Hong Kong.  I found the Wimdu sight on the Internet and thought that it might be a very good idea as it is a professional company and as it is said on its website “QUALITY CHECKED ACCOMMODATION”
 
This is the flat we decided on was a studio in flat 103, 10 Mercer street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong as per the following details on the Wimdu website:
 
Description
"PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE MAKING A RESERVATION! If you would like to make a booking for today, please message me and contact Wimdu at [email protected] or +852 6935 9091!"
 
This is a very nice studio in Sheung Wan; only 5 minutes walk to the MTR station.
 
Studio Apartment (with 1 bathroom) offers every comfort for guests travelling on business or leisure. Apartments are stylishly furnished with meticulous attention to detail, ideally located and close to leisure amenities and key business centres in Central. We also have good access to main transport networks. We just don't offer a bed for the night, but rather the space, freedom and flexibility of a fully equipped apartment-space to work, relax and entertain.
 
Private bathroom, unlimited broadband access, TV, closet, fully-equipped kitchenette with microwave and fridge.
The rates are all inclusive of electricity, water, rates, weekly maid and linen service plus unlimited wifi internet connection
 
We need two weeks notice for extension of stay
 
Require HKD3,000 security deposit upon check-in.
House rules
We need two weeks notice for extension of stay. Minimum of 30 nights stay.
 
Require HKD3,000 security deposit upon check-in.
 
Accommodation type: Entire home/apartment i
Accommodates:           2
Bed Type:             Real bed
Bedrooms:             1
Size:     200 square feet
Property ID:             1E6CXSG6
Cancellation Policy: Strict
Check-in after:             flexible
Check-out before: flexible
Monthly rate:             £ 664
Minimum nights:   30
 
http://www.wimdu.com/offers/1E6CXSG6?city=Hong+Kong&country_iso=HK¤t_city=Hong+Kong&distance=37&guests=1&lat=22.3576915&lng=114.12076150000007&page=4&price_filter[max]=7&price_filter[min]=0&seo_path=%2Fsearch&sort_by=nightly_rate_in_currency_cents&utf8=%E2%9C%93
 
Ok let’s start with my review:
 
A day after I booked the studio an agent phoned me to let me know that the price advertised on the website is actually incorrect and that I will have to pay in more money when I arrive.
 
Interesting is the fact that 2 months down the line the website still displays the incorrect price.
 
We did agree to pay difference when we arrive as, we were still under the impression that this would cater to our needs as what was advertised was all we needed until we find a more permanent accommodation.
 
Hmmm also just realised as I am typing this email that they advertise monthly rate at "Monthly rate:             8300 HK$"
 
However, I paid 31 nights x 296 HK$ 9189 HK$ , plus HK$250 for the rate discrepancy. That’s HK$1139 more then advertised.
 
When we arrived we were met by the caretaker of the, flat outside the building. The studio is on the first floor above an Indian and Malay restaurant.
 
Walking up the stairs one can definitely smell the restaurants. In the mornings the smell of rotting food was absolutely revolting. Not to mention cockroaches on the stare case walking up to the flat.
 
 
The caretaker showed us to the flat gave us only one set of keys (as they only provide one set for two people) and we paid him the Hk$3000 refundable safety deposit and HK$250 for the "web mistake"
 
The first thing I noticed was that there was no kettle, as advertised in the website and also shown in a picture on the website..  I asked about that and was told there is no kettle, but he will look for one.
 
He left and we started taking in our surroundings.
 
The room is very small as you enter on your left is a small bar fridge, with a microwave, all in a wooden frame which serves as a clothing rail.
The double bed takes up 3/4 of the room which is next to the wall, so when you sleep on it your feet touches the microwave/clothing rail unit.
 
On the right were two small shelves in the wall; stuck into place with some form of insufficient glue or bluetac as when I placed a book on it, it started to move. Next to the shelves also build in was another big shelve and a TV
 
The TV only picked up 4 Chinese channels but unable to view as very snowy, plus I do not understand Chinese.
 
This place is definitely not big enough for two people as one person has to sit on bed whilst other one walks etc
 
This became apparent when the "fully-equipped kitchenette " only had one glass, one plate, one cup, and a knife and fork.
 
The bathroom only had cold water pipe attached to the hand washbasin, which again made washing up difficult with only cold water. The bathroom basin is also used as the kitchen sink to clean out mugs etc.
 
As for the shower, worked fine for first two days, not very warm but sufficient, After that it got worse and worse, some days
 
We only had a trickle of water.  On one day we had none, phoned the care taker and after a number of calls and voicemails, got hold of him but who when we gave him deposit could speak really good English, suddenly could not understand English.
 
I emailed and phoned Wimdu, who got them to sort it out and when we got back home we had some water.
 
The kettle never appeared and I used to make coffee by boiling water in the mug and then sharing it. The "kitchen" is not usable at all as making a sandwich was a huge task as no working space.  As for clothing hanging above the microwave, they got a waft of steam every time we made coffee, not particle, if we would have made or reheated food in the micro clothing would have smelled of it.
 
We could not really use the clothing rails as it cant hold more then a couple of jumpers so had to live out of suit cases.
 
There was no closet.  Wifi worked on occasions but very slow and kept on disconnecting and numerous times no Internet at all.
 
They state in the website ad:  "Apartments are stylishly furnished with meticulous attention to detail, ideally located and close to leisure amenities and key business centres in Central. We also have good access to main transport networks. We just don't offer a bed for the night, but rather the space, freedom and flexibility of a fully equipped apartment-space to work, relax and entertain."
 
There is NO space, it is totally unsuitable for two people and the only entertaining we had was from our next-door neighbour. The walls between flats are hardboard, so you can hear your neighbour talk, sneeze, go to the bathroom and entertain his female companion. Also mind the cockroaches when you walk up and down the stairs.
 
We could not open the windows or blinds as the flat is on the fist level facing the road.  The toilet and shower was facing to the window, so anybody from street had direct view into the bathroom. Also due to noise levels and privacy we could not open windows or blinds.
 
We only lasted ten days and had to move to a more civilized accommodation. 
 
Then the joys of getting the security deposit back, I phoned Wimdu who told me i need to deal with StudioStudio directly (he did not want to know why I was leaving after only 10 days), numerous phone calls and no answer, from StudioStudio, the actual managers of the flats, or Dragon Fortune development limited,as per there contract,
Again spoke to Wimdu and got told that they might be on lunch but I have to goto there office in causeway bay to get my deposit back. I must just keep on trying.
 
Finally got hold of the "StudioStudio" people and they said its fine to come down to collect the money, I asked why I should come down and was told that they don’t send people out to flat to give deposit back
 
So I got on the Train to collect the money.  There unprofessional office is inside an apartment building.  When I arrived they took my deposit receipt and then fun started.
 
"When did you pay for the flat?", I told them the dates, but they could not find anything. Then the woman told me that I have not paid any money for the rental so I can not have my deposit back, I showed her proof of the deposit to Wimdu, but she said that she could not find anything. Whilst this is happening she was talking to her business college giggling and laughing.
 
I insisted on them phoning Wimdu as I wanted my deposit back.  After a 10 second call she said it fine, but they have no money and I need to give my bank detail!!! Why could they not tell me this when I phoned either Wimdu or StudioStudio?
 
I explained to her that i have no bank details as only here on holiday.  She then said to come back another day. I told her that I am flying out in the evening, and that I will not leave without my deposit.
 
She pulled her face spoke to her college and laughed then went to safe and brought me HK$3000 but in 3 x HK$1000 notes, since not a lot of places except HK$1000 notes I asked her for smaller denominations.
 
She went back to safe and gave me a mixture of HK$500 and HK$100. So they had the money originally, why not give it to me. I also asked for part of the money back but was told, in contract no can do... nice one we spend HK$9439 for a 10 day stay....  that’s HK$ 943.90 a night rather expensive for a minus 10star rating.  What was advertised and what I received was two different things.
 
I have raised the queries with both Wimdu and StudioStudio, both were going to investigate the matter and come back to me, however its over a week now and have had no replies
 
I send an email yesterday again and no answer.  I also asked for part of the money back but was told, in contract no can do... nice one we spend
HKS9439 for a 10 day stay....  that’s 943.90 a night rather expensive for a -10star rating
 
Ok most of this is probably our mistake as should have done more research, but dealing with a big company like Wimdu one expects a certain level of professionalism.
 
This is just a warning. We have wasted a lot of money using these two companies, be very careful of using them, rather book into a normal hotel and when you are in the country shop around for a serviced apartment, some places we have seen in Hong Kong after we left the dump, was 1000 times better and was the same price, they were also honest and told us the correct size and if it was possible for two people to live in it or if it was suitable for just one person.
 
Wimdu and studio StudioStudio I think you have a lot to learn.
 
Contactable at: [email protected]

 
 
 
 
 

Was this review helpful? 0 0