Outstanding lack of empathy over €100 — Birkenhof proved where their priorities lie.
★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
If you are looking for a hotel with a basic level of human decency, look elsewhere.
I had to request a cancellation due to a legitimate medical emergency. This was a trip I was deeply looking forward to, and I fully intended to reschedule, visit the island, and stay at this property once recovered — potentially becoming a repeat guest for years to come.
Instead, Birkenhof decided that clinging onto a miserable €100 was far more important than showing a shred of empathy during a health crisis.
What is even more shocking is that they refused to show any flexibility despite Hotels.com directly stepping in and intervening on my behalf to advocate for a waiver. Huge thanks to the Hotels.com support team for actually trying to reason with them and treating me like a human being.
Unfortunately, even their own booking partner's mediation wasn't enough to soften Birkenhof's greed.
Truly a masterclass in short-sighted business strategy: burning bridges with a potential lifetime customer over €100 during a medical emergency. I hope those €100 were worth losing all my future business and recommendations.
Absolutely shameful management.