DON'T BOOK A HOTEL ON TRAVEL OCITY!
Sep 20th, 2006, 12:22 PM
#21
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That's a lot of fluffy words, but most of doesn't really hold any legal promise. They really can't guarantee you peace of mind.
I'd be willing to be that your response to that survey goes into a big pile for statistical analysis by a third party. Call them if you want to receive any resolution to this. At least give them the option to rectify the situation or explain why they cannot before you call them out on their poor service.
I'd be willing to be that your response to that survey goes into a big pile for statistical analysis by a third party. Call them if you want to receive any resolution to this. At least give them the option to rectify the situation or explain why they cannot before you call them out on their poor service.
Sep 20th, 2006, 12:35 PM
#25
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sylvia-
You know, after our horrible experience, I went through and re-read the BW Peppertree reviews. All I could think was that the hotel owners, family, and employees must have written them.
I'll admit some sound a little contrived, but several seemed genuine. Hubby said, "Where the he!! did these people stay?!!!"
I should have mentioned that this was the last night of a vacation before we left from Spokane airport the next morning. We weren't expecting a resort experience, just a clean, quiet, safe place for the night. THAT'S what we found at the Hampton Inn! Funny, but I later found out that Hampton Inn is owned by Hilton which also owns Doubletree. I've stayed in many of each and have found them to be professionally-run and clean. I don't know if the Hilton properties are franchises or not, but BW is. We stayed in the BW in Helena, Montana and it was superb and well-run!
You know, after our horrible experience, I went through and re-read the BW Peppertree reviews. All I could think was that the hotel owners, family, and employees must have written them.
I'll admit some sound a little contrived, but several seemed genuine. Hubby said, "Where the he!! did these people stay?!!!"
I should have mentioned that this was the last night of a vacation before we left from Spokane airport the next morning. We weren't expecting a resort experience, just a clean, quiet, safe place for the night. THAT'S what we found at the Hampton Inn! Funny, but I later found out that Hampton Inn is owned by Hilton which also owns Doubletree. I've stayed in many of each and have found them to be professionally-run and clean. I don't know if the Hilton properties are franchises or not, but BW is. We stayed in the BW in Helena, Montana and it was superb and well-run!
Sep 20th, 2006, 12:46 PM
#26
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You know what? Just b/c a company has a no refund policy DOESNT mean that they can do whatever they want. If Travelocity misrepresented this property (they are responsible for being familiar with the properties they use, correct?) then of COURSE they should be held accountable! momof2-keep after them.
Sep 20th, 2006, 12:53 PM
#27
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I agree. If you feel the property was misrepresented, then you should write a letter to Travelocity, comparing their exact words with a brief description of what you saw.
I would leave out the bit about the truckers because it seems like you're stereotyping. Maybe these guys were creeps but not all truckers are. If the place was a dump, that should be enough to go on without adding that, IMHO.
I would leave out the bit about the truckers because it seems like you're stereotyping. Maybe these guys were creeps but not all truckers are. If the place was a dump, that should be enough to go on without adding that, IMHO.
Sep 20th, 2006, 01:01 PM
#28
Here's a picture from Travelocity's Best Western Peppertree listing. http://tinyurl.com/eljbm That looks like any run of the mill Best Western, yet you say you were shocked at the outside even. How did it differ from the picture?
If Travelocity erred, so did AAA. It is listed as a 3 diamond property.
I'd write the hotel listing your complaints, but I fear it was as much your perception of the unsavory characters that made you leave as anything else, and there's not a lot they can do about that of course.
I don't blame you on the one hand, I truly don't, but on the other, descriptions such as "prison tattoos", (unless they actually had Gatesville Prison or San Quentin tattooed on their arm) diminish the credibility of your complaint.
If Travelocity erred, so did AAA. It is listed as a 3 diamond property.
I'd write the hotel listing your complaints, but I fear it was as much your perception of the unsavory characters that made you leave as anything else, and there's not a lot they can do about that of course.
I don't blame you on the one hand, I truly don't, but on the other, descriptions such as "prison tattoos", (unless they actually had Gatesville Prison or San Quentin tattooed on their arm) diminish the credibility of your complaint.
Sep 20th, 2006, 01:25 PM
#30
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I'm a bit confused. Aren't the reviews on Travelocity written by travellers? To hold Travelocity accountable for reviews made my anyone seems a bit extreme. If I read your review of a hotel on this site and was then disappointed with it, I wouldn't hold Fodor's responsible.
Sep 20th, 2006, 01:26 PM
#31
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Since you viewed three rooms and they were all unacceptable, it might have been a good idea to photograph the rooms, the lobby and the outside of the hotel. If the photos were dramatically different than what was shown on Travelocity you probably would have more luck getting a refund or at least taking the issue to your credit card company.
Sep 20th, 2006, 01:33 PM
#32
I agree that in your letters of complaint, I would leave our your personal feelings about the body art on the person in the lobby and the provacative work habits of the desk clerk. I feel they diminish the seriousness of the issue.
Sep 20th, 2006, 01:35 PM
#33
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Momof2 writes: "the owner, who probably knows quite well the state of her property and the activities that go on there!"
What? Just what does go on there? You don't know, you didn't stay and just speculate, based on the appearance of some of the other guests.
"amwosu" is suspicious that good reviews might be written by management and employees. They could. Just as negative reviews for a hotel could be written by its competitor's management & employees.
Just because you didn't "feel" safe is no reason for a refund. The guarantee system we enjoy would immediately disappear if anyone could weasel out of their obligations by not "feeling safe"
You also stated that the HI GM had spoken of a recent fire. Maybe the hotel was doing the best they could while cleaning & repairing from the fire. If you've never experienced a fire in your home or business you have no idea of how hard it is to get everything back in order and avoid bankruptcy.
I moonlight p/t as a clerk at a hotel. We do a pretty good job. We're not perfect, we get complaints. But I am not, nor do I think any of my fellow employees are such "sheep" that we make website postings on the hotel's behalf - after all, I want to be able to have some faith in those I read of hotels I plan to stay at. I guess one reason I'm being negative about your post is that we recently had a guest try to get out of their obligation, saying the hotel was in a dangerous neighborhood. What a laugh. My home and my business are both in the same neighborhood, and nothing could be further from the truth.
Please consider the advice given you already to take photos next time. A picture truly does tell a thousand (true) words .. and do your booking with the chains' own websites, not a 3rd party. Also, if you can find a place somewhat tolerable, but too expensive for the value received, don't be afraid to tell management you are dissatisfied with the price:value ratio, but would find $xx acceptable. Hotel staff have become too accustomed to guest wanting a 100% comp for minor problems, and often "dig their heels in" when a complaint is voiced. The worse that can happen is a reply of "no".
What? Just what does go on there? You don't know, you didn't stay and just speculate, based on the appearance of some of the other guests.
"amwosu" is suspicious that good reviews might be written by management and employees. They could. Just as negative reviews for a hotel could be written by its competitor's management & employees.
Just because you didn't "feel" safe is no reason for a refund. The guarantee system we enjoy would immediately disappear if anyone could weasel out of their obligations by not "feeling safe"
You also stated that the HI GM had spoken of a recent fire. Maybe the hotel was doing the best they could while cleaning & repairing from the fire. If you've never experienced a fire in your home or business you have no idea of how hard it is to get everything back in order and avoid bankruptcy.
I moonlight p/t as a clerk at a hotel. We do a pretty good job. We're not perfect, we get complaints. But I am not, nor do I think any of my fellow employees are such "sheep" that we make website postings on the hotel's behalf - after all, I want to be able to have some faith in those I read of hotels I plan to stay at. I guess one reason I'm being negative about your post is that we recently had a guest try to get out of their obligation, saying the hotel was in a dangerous neighborhood. What a laugh. My home and my business are both in the same neighborhood, and nothing could be further from the truth.
Please consider the advice given you already to take photos next time. A picture truly does tell a thousand (true) words .. and do your booking with the chains' own websites, not a 3rd party. Also, if you can find a place somewhat tolerable, but too expensive for the value received, don't be afraid to tell management you are dissatisfied with the price:value ratio, but would find $xx acceptable. Hotel staff have become too accustomed to guest wanting a 100% comp for minor problems, and often "dig their heels in" when a complaint is voiced. The worse that can happen is a reply of "no".
Sep 20th, 2006, 01:59 PM
#35
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I never pay attention to AAA ratings, because they seem to be based on amenities and not the quality of the hotel.
I've stayed in a BW in Florida that had a good AAA rating. The room was dingy, dark (under a balcony), the pool was run down looking. Yes, it had amenities like a pool and laundry, but it was an unpleasant over-all environment.
Another experience was the Ramada in White River Junction in VT. The rugs were stained, the location was tucked behind the highway and felt too isolated to be really safe. We appeared to be one of the only guests in the hotel that evening, making it feel even eerier. It had a lovely pool area, but that amenity no way made up for the uncomfortable feel of the whole place.
I've stayed in a BW in Florida that had a good AAA rating. The room was dingy, dark (under a balcony), the pool was run down looking. Yes, it had amenities like a pool and laundry, but it was an unpleasant over-all environment.
Another experience was the Ramada in White River Junction in VT. The rugs were stained, the location was tucked behind the highway and felt too isolated to be really safe. We appeared to be one of the only guests in the hotel that evening, making it feel even eerier. It had a lovely pool area, but that amenity no way made up for the uncomfortable feel of the whole place.
Sep 20th, 2006, 03:32 PM
#37
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"Aren't the reviews on Travelocity written by travellers? To hold Travelocity accountable for reviews made my anyone seems a bit extreme."
That was my thought too. Travelocity doesn't write the reviews, so they aren't responsible for the accuracy. If the complaint is that the hotel didn't match the reviews, it's not Travelocity's fault.
That was my thought too. Travelocity doesn't write the reviews, so they aren't responsible for the accuracy. If the complaint is that the hotel didn't match the reviews, it's not Travelocity's fault.
Sep 20th, 2006, 03:43 PM
#38
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Best Western is not a chain - it;s a franchise. So there are no standards and "management" is essentially powerless to do anything.
I would challenge this on my credit card - on the basis that the hotel was unsafe because it was being used for illegal purposes.
Travelocity doesn;t research hotels - just like the other major services they take the info from the hotel. It's up to you to research (here, tripadvisor etc) before booking to at least make sure the place isn't a complete dump. So - in dealing with them it is essentially caveat emptor.
And I agree - I wouldn't prepary 30 minutes in advance - but go look at the place before paying. (This is only one of the reasons we always reserve - and research - in advance.)
I would challenge this on my credit card - on the basis that the hotel was unsafe because it was being used for illegal purposes.
Travelocity doesn;t research hotels - just like the other major services they take the info from the hotel. It's up to you to research (here, tripadvisor etc) before booking to at least make sure the place isn't a complete dump. So - in dealing with them it is essentially caveat emptor.
And I agree - I wouldn't prepary 30 minutes in advance - but go look at the place before paying. (This is only one of the reasons we always reserve - and research - in advance.)
Sep 20th, 2006, 05:12 PM
#39
But there were no illegal activities. There truly are such things as in room massages, and at $30/.5 hr, LOL, although I'm not up on these things, I doubt that's the going rate for that illegal something or other you might possibly be thinking of! 
Sep 20th, 2006, 05:28 PM
#40
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I know just what you mean. I booked a flight on an airline that was also non-refundable. When we got to the airport, there were a ton of seedy characters hanging out in the departure lounge. I wouldn't have felt safe with them on the same plane. What's more the plane looked old. We worried about our safety and left. Would you believe they won't give us our money back for the flight? What is wrong with these people?
