Booking.com complaint/refund/court action

auntybeebee

Please help. I booked a 2 night stay in Leeds via booking.com for a work conference. I paid via paypal through the booking.com website and was told a late check in was fine and to send my car reg for the free parking which I did. I arrived at night to find I couldn't get in to the apartment building so contacted the provider who responded that they wouldn't provide any check in details unless I filled out a separate form and provided a £100 damage deposit. Being a lone female in the middle of an unfamiliar city at night with the prospect of not having any accommodation, I paid the damage deposit via my credit card and was send an email 30mins later with the code to enter the apartment building and a photo of the apartment number and where the key was hidden. 
When I got there, the key was not under the mat as promised so they gave a code for the key safe. After letting myself in, it as immediately clear that the apartment was occupied. The apartment was in disarray with dirty towels over the floors, blood stains in the bed with the bedding bundled in a heap, several open half empty bottles of whiskey and vodka over the kitchen sides and dirty washing up. Thankfully the person was out but I was immediately fearful that a potentially intoxicated occupant could come home at any minute and find me in there. I took photos for proof, contacted the provider and left the apartment within a couple of minutes. 
The provider did not respond to my messages or photos of the apartment. Booking.com did not help either. I was left trying to find accommodation in Leeds in the middle of the night or having to sleep in my car. The parking was also charged when it should have been free. 

Since then, booking.com have said they're not responsible and won't give a full refund or any compensation. Paypal refused buyer protection as they say 'a service' is not covered which I wasn't aware of. My bank can't help as paypal took the payment as a direct debit. I also haven't had the damage deposit returned although I'm pursuing this through by credit card company. 

Citizens advice say that because booking.com is based in the Netherlands, the likelihood is having to pursue litigation via an EU process. Does anyone have any advise? I've been left severely out of pocket as a result and struggling financially. 

Thanks