Sandcastle Apartments

We had to cancel a few days before our stay due to a family emergency and had to forfeit a $500 deposit. We weren't told when we paid our deposit on the phone we could lose our deposit if we cancelled. In fact, the guy on the phone told me he would only send us an email with the terms and conditions once we had paid the $500 deposit on the phone. We were pretty much forced to pay the deposit over the phone. This hotel seemingly makes money off taking large deposits and then keeping them if anyone has to cancel. Update: After leaving this review, Sandcastles apartments blackmailed me to remove my review. Jenny said that if I removed my review, they would give me a credit for the $500 which they were not going to do before I left a review unless they re-sold my apartment which wasn’t likely as today was the day of when I was staying there and they hadn’t re-sold it yet. I asked to change the dates to a later date to use my credit but I was told it was too difficult and that after speaking to the owner, the best move forward would be to refund me my $500 deposit which is currently still pending. They were strictly not going to refund me my money before leaving a review and were only going to give me a credit and only if they re-sold the apartment. Not to mention they apparently keep credit card details in the system as the lady knew what details to use to supposedly process my refund. I have a right to make a review and not be blackmailed to remove it. Once I receive my refund to my bank account and not just a systemised email saying a refund has been processed, I will kindly update this review accordingly because I should not be out of pocket $500 just because I couldn’t stay at an apartment 2-3 days before the booking began when any other accommodation facility does not take a large deposit like Sandcastles and offers full refunds up until your stay. I find it ridiculous that you can lose a $500 deposit for not being able to stay somewhere regardless of the reason, I have never seen this happen before at any other accommodation facility and I have stayed in Port Macquarie before multiple times at other facilities. The gentleman I spoke to on the phone when I made the booking stated ‘sandcastles is the best place in Port Macquarie’. I definitely do not agree as I have stayed in other places in Port Macquarie and have not had this experience before.

This would definitely be the best place to stay in Port Macquarie. Across the road from the beach with coffee shops, restaurant and Bowling club all close by. Beautiful spacious, immaculate apartment with the lift opening straight into your apartment. Quality furnishings and the most comfortable bed. Dan and Jenny are absolutely lovely and explained everything we needed to know and showed us to our apartment and garage.

We had to cancel a few days before our stay due to a family emergency and had to forfeit a $500 deposit. We weren't told when we paid our deposit on the phone we could lose our deposit if we cancelled. In fact, the guy on the phone told me he would only send us an email with the terms and conditions once we had paid the $500 deposit on the phone. We were pretty much forced to pay the deposit over the phone. This hotel seemingly makes money off taking large deposits and then keeping them if anyone has to cancel. Update: After leaving this review, Sandcastles apartments blackmailed me to remove my review. Jenny said that if I removed my review, they would give me a credit for the $500 which they were not going to do before I left a review unless they re-sold my apartment which wasn’t likely as today was the day of when I was staying there and they hadn’t re-sold it yet. I asked to change the dates to a later date to use my credit but I was told it was too difficult and that after speaking to the owner, the best move forward would be to refund me my $500 deposit which is currently still pending. They were strictly not going to refund me my money before leaving a review and were only going to give me a credit and only if they re-sold the apartment. Not to mention they apparently keep credit card details in the system as the lady knew what details to use to supposedly process my refund. I have a right to make a review and not be blackmailed to remove it. Once I receive my refund to my bank account and not just a systemised email saying a refund has been processed, I will kindly update this review accordingly because I should not be out of pocket $500 just because I couldn’t stay at an apartment 2-3 days before the booking began when any other accommodation facility does not take a large deposit like Sandcastles and offers full refunds up until your stay. I find it ridiculous that you can lose a $500 deposit for not being able to stay somewhere regardless of the reason, I have never seen this happen before at any other accommodation facility and I have stayed in Port Macquarie before multiple times at other facilities. The gentleman I spoke to on the phone when I made the booking stated ‘sandcastles is the best place in Port Macquarie’. I definitely do not agree as I have stayed in other places in Port Macquarie and have not had this experience before.