Simple & Cozy Accommodations

This was a scam. We (my partner, I and our two kids) were informed on the day that the flat is unavailable due to maintenance (we booked it 1-2 months in advance). I actually only found this out at 5pm on the day (4pm is the alleged check-in time, there were no contact details and no way of finding the property as it is one of many condos). By pure chance someone local knew the landlord's number and rang him. The guy then said we should get a refund from Hotels.com and when we contacted Hotels.com, they apparently contacted the landlord and we are now not being issues a refund as the landlord said "due to their policy and our reason for the refund" we are no getting one. In the end, the person who helped us find a flat also helped us find a condo in the same place, but this was double the price in the end. We were desperate, 6pm with no place to stay and kids whose bedtime is 8pm latest... so obviously had no choice and felt very grateful to even have gotten a place still. So we ended up spending 3x the amount on the booking and were incredibly stressed (still are, as I have no idea how I can get a refund if the landlord can just decide to keep our money). Did not think this would happen on Hotels.com, but please stay away from this booking. Horrible experience to say the least.