I do hope you find someone or place that is reliable for your cats, a real shame, i guess your friendship will be a little different from now on, i know i would feel rather annoyed and even if i said nothing i am sure it would effect our friendship.
I choose a cattery for my cats, as u all know they are indoor/outdoor, so a sitter is not suitable, i carefully checked them all out in my city, and got referred by my sister n law for this one, its in the country, no dogs, less stress for the cats, and it is always so clean,no smells, he has a lovely outdoor area for the cats with sun umbrellas, i have always been pleased when i pick them up, they always look in the same condition as i left them, the cattery owner takes time to know the cats and u can tell he really likes them, in summer he has a fan going as well.
I still hate leaving them, and taking them to a different enviroment,as i know they still stress, and lexie is one i really will hate to leave, ash is getting used to it now.
My cattery pencarrow cattery charges 7.50 dollars a day per cat, or 8.50 for one for standard unit, as we only ever go away for a few days i use the standard unit. I can provide my own food if i want up to me, but he has all the good stuff, he serves biscuits in the morning and red meat at night.