Choice Hotels, Clarion ripoff on rate, bad service, unsanitary conditions, rude staff Bloomington Illinois
We had a New Years nightmare at the Clarion in Bloomington. They recently took over what used to be a Ramada. We have stayed at this hotel in the past as a Ramada and it was perfectly fine.
Our nightmare started before we even checked in. When we first made our reservations, we were quoted $89.99 per room. We had reserved three rooms for the New Years eve party in early November. A couple of days before, a representative of the hotel called an changed our room rate to $139.99. It was too late to find another hotel as they were all booked up. I have three children looking forward to the stay at this hotel, so we paid the rate, but had to cancel one room due to the price increase.
Upon check in, we experienced the worst service possible. Our rooms were not together as promised, but six rooms apart. We couldn't get into the room as the keys wouldn't work. When we finally got in, our bed was broken. They gave us another room that once again we couldn't get into. After at least a half an hour we finally got into our room.
This was going on all around us. There were unhappy guest everywhere having similar and even worse experiences as we were. A lot of guests left the hotel. Our room was dirty and not stocked with towels coffee, etc. The appitizer buffet was awful. The hot food was old and cold. The cold food was warm and old. Cheese platters sat out all night not iced down or cooled in any way. They were definately asking to make someone sick.
The staff seemed not to care. But we stayed anyway, knowing the kids were looking forward to the party. After checking out we realized my youngest daughter had left her favorite stuffed animal in the room. We imediately called the hotel. The employee I spoke with couldn't have been nicer, but never passed along the information to the housekeeping staff or the front desk. I had to call back and ask again. I was directed to the housekeeping voicemail and once again left a message. Still no one has called back. I am not opptimistic about the recovery of my daughters stuffed animal. The staff seems to not care or have time to look or talk with me.
I will never stay at this hotel again and will certainly spread the word. I was willing to be understanding with the change of hands and remodeling, but there is NO excuse for the lack of care and rudeness of the employees.
Paula
Wapella, Illinois
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Jonathan
Rye Beach,New Hampshire,
U.S.A.
Corporate Headquarters & Small Claims
#6Consumer Suggestion
Fri, January 06, 2006
It is obvious the local Clarion and its staff are incompetent b***s.
Contact Choice Hotels Headquarters and speak to someone there. I would most definitely complain about the price change before anything else. When you made the first reservation you and the Hotel entered into a contract. They legally should have honored the $89.99 per room.
I would then call back the local hotel and advise the manager that you are taking him and the Hotel to small claims court for PRICE GOUGING.
Despicable
Paula
Wapella,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Choice Hotels, Clarion
#6Author of original report
Fri, January 06, 2006
I've called the hotel 2 to 3 times a day every day since our stay, 5 days. I Cannot get anyone to respond to my complaints. The front desk employees take my information and promise someone will call me back.
I was however able to get my daughters favorite stuffed animal back with no help from the hotel. The manager nor any other employee would call me back. I had left several messages including messages to the housekeeping line trying to find the stuffed animal. I finally drove to the hotel, went right past the front desk and found a housekeeping employee cleaning one of the rooms. After explaining what I was looking for, he immediately went back the the housekeeping room and brought out the stuffed animal. He actually apologized to me since it got washed with the sheets and shrunk. No doubt this young man is making minimum wage for his efforts in being courteous and helpful to the guests while management is doing... what?
Since management has failed to respond to my complaints I am filing a report with corporate headquarters.
Paula
Wapella,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Choice Hotels, Clarion
#6Author of original report
Fri, January 06, 2006
I've called the hotel 2 to 3 times a day every day since our stay, 5 days. I Cannot get anyone to respond to my complaints. The front desk employees take my information and promise someone will call me back.
I was however able to get my daughters favorite stuffed animal back with no help from the hotel. The manager nor any other employee would call me back. I had left several messages including messages to the housekeeping line trying to find the stuffed animal. I finally drove to the hotel, went right past the front desk and found a housekeeping employee cleaning one of the rooms. After explaining what I was looking for, he immediately went back the the housekeeping room and brought out the stuffed animal. He actually apologized to me since it got washed with the sheets and shrunk. No doubt this young man is making minimum wage for his efforts in being courteous and helpful to the guests while management is doing... what?
Since management has failed to respond to my complaints I am filing a report with corporate headquarters.
Paula
Wapella,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Choice Hotels, Clarion
#6Author of original report
Fri, January 06, 2006
I've called the hotel 2 to 3 times a day every day since our stay, 5 days. I Cannot get anyone to respond to my complaints. The front desk employees take my information and promise someone will call me back.
I was however able to get my daughters favorite stuffed animal back with no help from the hotel. The manager nor any other employee would call me back. I had left several messages including messages to the housekeeping line trying to find the stuffed animal. I finally drove to the hotel, went right past the front desk and found a housekeeping employee cleaning one of the rooms. After explaining what I was looking for, he immediately went back the the housekeeping room and brought out the stuffed animal. He actually apologized to me since it got washed with the sheets and shrunk. No doubt this young man is making minimum wage for his efforts in being courteous and helpful to the guests while management is doing... what?
Since management has failed to respond to my complaints I am filing a report with corporate headquarters.
Paula
Wapella,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Choice Hotels, Clarion
#6Author of original report
Fri, January 06, 2006
I've called the hotel 2 to 3 times a day every day since our stay, 5 days. I Cannot get anyone to respond to my complaints. The front desk employees take my information and promise someone will call me back.
I was however able to get my daughters favorite stuffed animal back with no help from the hotel. The manager nor any other employee would call me back. I had left several messages including messages to the housekeeping line trying to find the stuffed animal. I finally drove to the hotel, went right past the front desk and found a housekeeping employee cleaning one of the rooms. After explaining what I was looking for, he immediately went back the the housekeeping room and brought out the stuffed animal. He actually apologized to me since it got washed with the sheets and shrunk. No doubt this young man is making minimum wage for his efforts in being courteous and helpful to the guests while management is doing... what?
Since management has failed to respond to my complaints I am filing a report with corporate headquarters.