I should have known better. 12 weeks a year in different hotels and I have my faves. You know and love and stick to it and then…
…SH#T A BRICK. It was $650 more to stay at my fave. I couldn’t stomach it. The comparable room at a comparable property was $650 less. I checked and rechecked and confirmed room types and inclusions and all that.
The difference between the good and the great? These became apparent within the first two hours of being there.
“Sir, the room type you booked is…”
So I checked and I rechecked and I read the descriptions and it all made sense. The rates compared (our internal rate was about 15 percent to 20 percent less than the BAR on their website) so I booked. It was clear, on this occasion, I needed to shift. If there is one thing I know, its room types.
Not according to the manager. So I start and it goes like…
“So it’s the xx room isn’t it?”
““No, you have the xxx room.”
“But my voucher says clearly this AAAAAA and on your website you only have one room type with AAAAAA in the room names.”
“Oh no sir, we use AAAAAAA to describe this room type.”
Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.
I transport myself into what it would be like if this was an Agent reporting it to us. We would have to honour. I mean it says on the voucher AAAAAA. The science of the rocket is not present.
“But my voucher says give me room AAAAAA.”
“No sir, we call it something else, even if you are holding your phone, with our pretty website, which clearly contradicts everything I said.”
I’m not going to win so…
“Please let me get my manager.”
…..
“Yes sir and…” (repeats the above).
“Okay mate, so from one industry professional to another, I’m sorry if I am cranky but you can see this yes?”
“No. We can upgrade you for $300 a night.”
“%$&@($^*&^ you what? Your website the BAR shows a maximum difference of $200 a night.”
“Yes, but its $300.”
“Its what?”
“Okay, we do a special for you, $200.”
“Sure dude (yes I said dude, I was a tad peeved) but we will be calling you in half an hour to fix, okay?”
“$200 it is then sir.”
*Seething* but not paying. Someone else will see the injustice. I think.
Meanwhile later in the club lounge…
It’s lush. It’s lux. It’s comfy. It’s a step up and I am feeling relaxed. I am given grief for getting my own beer because they bring it to you. Apparently I am a pleb. Not the first time.
I wander back to restock my nibbles and I overhear the explanation to the couple, who were being EXCEPTIONALLY understanding, that kids are not allowed to be in the club lounge after five. He was a good bloke and rolled his wheel chair away without a fuss, accepting the polite and professional explanation.
I go back to my seat and the staff, however, are not comfortable telling the THREE GROUPS OF PEOPLE that it is NOT okay to have volume up on your not-so-personal digital device. Its wonderful you are doing FaceTime but ‘Foxtrot. Foxtrot. Sierra’, I do not want to hear your sh#tty TV show about cat bloopers. No, I DO NOT want to hear it. The video of your kids skateboarding, great, BUT PUT ON HEADPHONES.
The staff could not see that EVERYONE was antsy with one lady in particular until one fella walked up and asked her to turn it down, she did. He walked, the volume went up. Others guests should not have to ask themselves. One did. I told her I loved her work.
If it was kids, it would have been sorted in a jiffy, or pre-emptively. But adults behaving like kids?
In summary:
I’m not going to name and shame but I AM going to write and grovel to the other hotel and hope they have me back. Seriously. I saved no money. I did the see the “other brand”. My room does look lovely.
But I don’t think I can ever love the hotel.
P.S.
The chick who was broadcasting FaceTime now has four different unfinished drinks on her table.
