I've recently moved to the new Harbourview Horizon Hotel in Hung Hom, which many of you might have seen the advertisements for: 9,990 for 618+sq ft, 2 bdrms, 6-12 month lease. Didn't really expect too much out of it, in consideration of the price, but then again, it has been builit by Cheung Kong, and you sort of expect them to do a decent job of it.
There has been several mishaps moving in to the apartment, but their staff have not been very knowledgeable in any matters so I've let it pass. I do find it ridiculous that their front desk staff know next to nothing in terms of helping residents settle in and I'm not surprised if there has been a flurry of complaints.
Cheung Kong has almost seemed far to eager to move people in, perhaps even before the place has been thoroughly checked that it is livable. Most recently, I've had a vermin incident in the apartment where all my food and bags in the kitchen cabinet have been knawed into. And mind you, it's not little chews, it's big, teethy holes that make it obvious it must be mice, rats or something of that sort. I called the managment office and they came to assess the situation, told me that there's a hole in the back of the cabinet somewhere that had not been sealed properly and that was that. They didn't bother asking if I needed compensation for all my now inedible foods, or bring in pest control. What with all that SARS, virus fear in HK, you would think that they would immediately switch a room for me, apologise profusely and provide the best possible service so I just let the situation rest and not file a complaint and instead compliment their staff on dealing with the situation appropriately.
Instead, they have sought to cover up the situation and refuse to admit that there was any sort of vermin. They suggested perhaps it was just a cockroach. Ok, not quite sure a cockroach can knaw into hard foods and creat perfectly round holes that have teethmarks...I definitely was not pleased with the unprofessional attitude of the staff who did not bother to show any concern whatsoever about my wellbeing. It may be a self-service hotel, but it does advertise itself with the 'hotel' title, and with that comes certain obligations.
Now I'm left with the fear that there's a family of rodents lurking in the back of my cabinet. But I didn't bother to further argue with them...until I found the same occurrence the next day, except that more things had been ransacked as if the 'creatures' had gone on an angry rampage when someone tried to seal the hole. Apparently, they had done such a half-hearted job that the hole was still accessible.
At first they did not even ask if I would like to change rooms, nor did they want pest control to come and figure out what has been knawing at my food. Till now they don't even want to see it as their fault and I have had enough. I asked to speak to someone of higher seniority but the current staff insist that they can deal with it and won't give me a number or email where I can file my complaints. I'm just about ready to report to the health authority/housing authority but have been patient so far since I'd rather not go to more trouble. Obviously, it'll be bad press for Cheung Kong if this leaks out so they want to cover it up, especially with the recent bad press they already have in the sub par quality of an investment in China.
So, here I am venting, and any similar situations/how you've dealt with it/how your management dealt with would be much appreciated!!