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donovanr

January 11, 2009 11:49 PM

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What is it about managers that about 1 in 3 either care so little as to not help at all or worse do their damnedest to piss customers off. In this case I could see a manager pull out the rulebook if the customer was trying to weasel out of paying for a week's stay but $38x2 to park cars that the customers parked themselves?
There must be a 'doesn't give a crap' test that employers could use to not hire these bozos in the first place.

2 replies

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January 12, 2009 5:26 AM

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@donovanr: It's odd that she would compare the customer's actions to driving into someone's private garage without asking permission. If you're staying at a hotel that has a parking lot or garage, you're going to try to park in it -- there's nothing presumptive or unusual about that. It's definitely the hotel's responsibility to inform the customer upfront about any fees, etc. That manager sounds completely unprofessional and certainly handled that poorly.

That said, it's strange if they didn't tell him anything about parking to begin with -- every hotel I've ever stayed at has explained the parking rules to me. I suppose the check-in clerk dropped the ball on that one.

What doesn't add up, is that it seems like this is the kind of misunderstanding that would happen almost all of the time if they don't have any signage or gate or anything like that.

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January 12, 2009 3:06 PM

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@Shadowman615: Agreed. If there's no sign saying \"employees only\" or \"restricted\" or \"reserved\" or \"valet only\" what are you to think? If there's no sign indicating parking rates, your next option is to check in with the hotel (which he did).

Giving him a posthumous bill for parking is just ass-hattery.

","

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January 11, 2009 11:52 PM

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I agree that it should have been disclosed but who parks in a secured garage in downtown DC and actually thinks it would be free?

Sounds like there is more to the story than this guy is letting on. Did he park in the valet only instead of the regular garage and she simply misunderstood that? It is weird that she would banish him - wonder if he got rude or if she lost patience. Kind of nice that he decided to just not pay his hotel bill either since he wasn't completely satisfied...

19 replies

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Tmoney02

January 12, 2009 3:48 PM

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@Dan W: This guy apparently somewhow missed the HUGE SIGN outside the entrance saying VALET PARKING ONLY!

[maps.google.com]

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Tmoney02

January 12, 2009 4:05 PM

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@Tmoney02: Okay, before to many read this I am going to correct myself and do a 180 on my position.

Looking at the sign I posted above it is blurry on the bottom but the sign actually reads:

Valet Parking Only
Lot Full.

That would say to me that if the lot wasn't full you could park yourself. This would be especially true considering the garage truly belongs to the hotel and their is no signs - at least on the outside

Here is a picture of the garage via google street view.

[maps.google.com]

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Glamourdammerung

January 12, 2009 2:32 PM

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@Dan W: \"I agree that it should have been disclosed but who parks in a secured garage in downtown DC and actually thinks it would be free?\"

People from outside the area, who also would tend to be the type that would use a hotel.

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SlappySquirrel

January 12, 2009 2:31 PM

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@darman: I agree. I love the Hampton Inn and they are usually great.

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January 12, 2009 2:22 PM

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@Dan W: I've lived and worked in (near) DC my whole life. ALL the garages have either a gate that you have to have a pass to open, a guard that you either have to pay, get a ticket from or both, signage letting you know how much it is and what the hours are.

I agree that it sounds strange that none of these happened at the hotel garage he was staying at.

That said, with most hotels I've stayed at they charge a small fee (like $5) or parking is complimentary with the room, but the rates are made clear in various locations, predominately behind the front desk. I'm surprised this hotel didn't have one. I might swing by later to see more about this story.

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Jim Topoleski

January 12, 2009 3:20 AM

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@Dan W: Typically its VERY bad form for a hotel to charge you to park in their lot or garage. Valet is one thing, and requiring it to be is not a issue since its a security and safety thing and your paying the valet for the most part not the hotel. But to charge for you to park as a guest when its assumed parking is included in your stay is bunk.

Any hotel that does that where its not 100% disclosed why its being done (like Atlantic City where its a law the city created that forces a 10 dollar fee on parking) doesnt get a visit from me. I have never had to pay for hotel parking in Baltimore or NYC

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mzs

January 12, 2009 9:01 PM

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@Jim Topoleski: Good luck finding a hotel that does not charge for parking in DC. Good luck finding one that even has room available in its lot at all around a time like New Years Eve. You end-up driving from hotel to hotel looking for one that will let you park as a courtesy, and yes with a fee.

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Anonymous

January 12, 2009 3:53 PM

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@Jim Topoleski: I like to know where you park your car for free, especially in NY?. The last time I visited, they were asking $50 per night. My remedy is to park my car near the hotel I'm staying and walk to the hotel and save $25 per day. Let see, I could have nice dinner with that saved money.

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Chris Kelly

January 12, 2009 6:09 AM

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@Jim Topoleski: Any hotel in a large city (SF, DC, Chicago, NYC, etc) charges for parking, real estate is simply too expensive.

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January 12, 2009 5:26 AM

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@Jim Topoleski: My point was that there is more to this story not that either the hotel or the OP are 100% at fault.

Has it been verified that the parking garage actually doesn't have the cost information posted? Was the guy aware of a parking charge but thought he could park in valet and avoid the fee and that Jennifer was cutting him a deal by handing him a parking pass? Something does not add up here.

And you saying you have never had to pay for hotel parking in NYC? You mean Manhattan? Surely/Shirley, you can't be serious.

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January 12, 2009 3:08 AM

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@Dan W: Everywhere I've been, a valet-only garage or parking lot is ALWAYS marked as such, sometimes down to marking every SPOT as valet only so people know, and the hotel that I worked at had signs clearly posted saying \"Valet only, $XY\"

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January 12, 2009 1:58 AM

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@Dan W: Didn't the article say that the garage was, in fact, NOT secured? It was wide open with no signs. In my mind, secured means with some sort of physical barrier, rather than an imaginary one.

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Mary

January 13, 2009 12:37 AM

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@ThinkerTDM: I'm personally having a bit of a hard time believing that part of the story.

What parking garage or lot in D.C. isn't covered with signs? I would happily believe this was true if I saw it with my own eyes, but at least once a day I'm told \"There wasn't any sign!\" when I know for a fact that there are signs all over our parking lots, on every single light pole, that clearly state that you have to pay in that lot.

So I'd love to see if somebody has driven by and can confirm this. If he didn't see the sign, that's fine. Also, the manager should have still confirmed the cost with him when she gave him the parking pass (we do this consistently, you get told the price three times before you get anything from us). So the manager is still clearly in the wrong.

Disclosure: I work in parking enforcement in D.C.

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bobert

January 12, 2009 12:49 AM

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@Dan W: \"Who parks in a secured garage in downtown DC and actually thinks it would be free?\"

In other parts of the country, pay garages normally have some indication they're not free. It's also normal that when hotels don't provide free parking to their customers, they tell them up front.

That's even true in big cities, like San Francisco, where I live. I thought we were new-agey, but apparently DC has managed to beat us to telepathic transmission of parking rules.

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SabreDC

January 12, 2009 1:10 AM

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@bobert: It's not DC, it's this hotel. I pass numerous garages on my way to work and every single one of them lists their hourly or daily fees. Don't be blaming DC for anything...

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January 12, 2009 12:37 AM

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@Dan W: Folks who aren't local to DC (or other high-rent areas) may not have the same set of expectations; generally speaking, I'm accustomed to a business's patrons having parking included in the cost of their business unless explicitly communicated otherwise.

A hotel, generally speaking, should expect to be dealing with non-locals.

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SabreDC

January 12, 2009 12:07 AM

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@Dan W: I think it is safe to assume that a garage attached to a hotel with no signage about parking procedures could be used by hotel guests. This isn't a random parking garage on the street...

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Pithlit

January 12, 2009 12:21 AM

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@SabreDC: Well, yes, but I wouldn't assume it was free. Some hotels do make valet mandatory if you're to use their parking facilities, as ridiculous as that sounds. I'd never just assume parking is free, even if there was no sign. I'd always ask. But, I'm not blaming the victim here, either. It doesn't sound like the hotel manager handled this well at all.

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SabreDC

January 12, 2009 12:22 AM

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@Pithlit: True. I agree that assuming it is free is not a good assumption. However, if you ask the manager for a parking pass, you'd think they would say \"You parked in the garage? You'll have to pay $38 to do so.\"

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thrid001

January 12, 2009 1:59 AM

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@SabreDC: Hmm, so at a restaurant and you order a drink, and don't know the price you want waitresses shouting out, \"You do know that is a $7 drink?\" Why wouldn't you ASK the question how much it is to park on PRIVATE property. If you walk into the hotel and see a open room would you think you could go in and use the facilities for free?

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January 12, 2009 2:14 PM

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@thrid001: Expectations are different if you are from different parts of the country.

Until I went to Chicago I had NEVER encountered a pay parking garage at a hotel or paid valet service at a hotel. All pay parking spots locally are marked by big bold signs and have an attendant ON SITE to collect the money. And there aren't that many of them.

Even the few restaurants that have valet parking have large signs with the cost printed on them AND a free parking alternative.

So if I was this guy and I saw no signage on the lot I would assume parking was included in my stay.

Now at a restaurant I've always had to pay for my drinks (except water) so I would automatically assume there was a charge for the drink. That's my expectation. But, if I was charged for water I would be confused and aggravated because it's not part of my expectations.

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Charlotte Rae's Web

January 12, 2009 6:54 AM

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@thrid001: That comparison doesn't work. When I order a drink, I know 100% of the time, I'll pay. When I stay in a hotel, maybe parking costs, maybe it doesn't.

Hotels often have 'amenities', restaurants rarely do.

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SabreDC

January 12, 2009 2:09 AM

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@thrid001: I would. This isn't about me.

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Anonymous

January 12, 2009 11:47 PM

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@SabreDC: if I was a guest there, there was no gate, no attendant, no valet stand, no bellhop, then yes I would assume that the garage attached to the hotel which I had agreed to be a customer for my stay was, indeed, free. if I was driving around saw a garage attached to a hotel that I was not a guest at I would do some more investigation as to the price, but might still think it was cheap or free if it still had none of the above listed indications.

but if the manager gives you a parking pass and mentions nothing about a charge that seems like some thoughtless/short-sighted customer service. if Jennifer had let him know the valet cost, but then recommended a safe/cheaper lot nearby she and her hotel might have a few satisfied customers that would bring in a lot more money than a couple of valet charges.

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Pithlit

January 12, 2009 12:31 AM

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@SabreDC: True. But then the manager may have just assumed the customer had read their list of accomodations already, which lists that their parking is valet. At any rate it does seem like a miscommunication issue.

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SabreDC

January 12, 2009 12:40 AM

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@Pithlit: But then why would he ask for a parking pass if it was valet? If it was parked by a valet, he wouldn't have known that a pass should have been requested and the manager would think that his request for a pass is out of the ordinary. Your turn. :-)

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CFinWV

January 12, 2009 12:16 AM

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I'm half tempted call them and ask if their lot is valet-only.

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January 12, 2009 12:03 AM

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Dear Jennifer,
I will be adding your hotel to my \"Roving Food Critic Tour,\" in which I enjoy the Free Continental Breakfast offerings of hotels where I am not a guest.
Afterwards, I will critique the experience on Travelocity and Expedia, so please make sure the sausage gravy is thick and hot for this non-paying customer.
Sincerely,
Old Gray Geek

4 replies

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Ayanami

January 12, 2009 5:09 AM

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@oldgraygeek: I hate to admit it, but when I was an epically poor college student I HAD to do this to live.

Between pirating breakfasts, and eating at the pizza place I worked at, (which we were allowed to fo rfree provided you didn't make anything really expensive) I spent like $0 on food.

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SabreDC

January 12, 2009 12:23 AM

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@oldgraygeek: Brilliant! I am going to start my own chapter of the Roving Food Critic Tour, if you don't mind. ;-)

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January 12, 2009 12:07 AM

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@oldgraygeek: Did anyone else read this name as 'oldgaygreek'? Yeah, me neither.

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ajlei

January 12, 2009 1:41 AM

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@Dr Steve Brule: I did too! Dyslexia's at it again..

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SabreDC

January 12, 2009 12:12 AM

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I usually like Hampton Inn and other Hilton properties. I don't hear many complaints about them, but this is pretty sad to hear. I wouldn't necessarily call it \"eviction\" though as in the headline, as he was checking out at the time. Maybe \"Hampton Inn bans customer...\".

I'd recommend not staying downtown if you come again. You can get a much cheaper hotel in Arlington or Alexandria and just take the Metro into town. Hampton Inn on 6th starts at 179.00/night, the Hampton Inn in Arlington starts at 99.00/night and costs about $2 to take the Metro downtown.

3 replies

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Mary

January 13, 2009 12:40 AM

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@SabreDC: Whenever I was visiting before I moved up here, we always stayed in Vienna. Super cheap, right on the metro. Not pretty by any stretch, but hey.

Honestly, you couldn't pay me to stay downtown.

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January 12, 2009 5:44 PM

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@SabreDC: Not only is it cheaper, customer service in Arlington is generally nicer. PLUS, you probably won't get yelled at by some crazy Chinatown denizen on the bus in NoVa (well, probably).

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January 12, 2009 7:06 PM

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@kimsama: Agreed, the sweet, sweet NoVa life trumps DC in most things

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Pithlit

January 12, 2009 12:26 AM

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I figures this must be one of those hotels, and I was right; It says at their website that they're valet parking only. Some hotels are like that. If a patron doesn't want to use the valet parking, they have to make other arrangements for parking. Some hotels are like that. It does seem as though the manager handled it rather badly. It would probably also help to have some sort of signage at the entrance.

1 replies

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Brunette Bookworm

January 12, 2009 3:04 PM

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@Pithlit: A sign, or, maybe, the actual valet. :) Where was the person who was supposed to be parking cars at this time?

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darman

January 12, 2009 12:27 AM

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That hotel. In DC. Of course they charge. From the hotel website:

Hotel Policies

Check-In: 4:00PM - Check-Out: 12:00PM
Parking:
Valet Parking: 28.00
daily plus tax
Pets: No Pets Allowed

If there was a miscommunication, it was clearly handled inappropriately. I suspect Hilton will take care of it.

7 replies

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Aaron Meck

January 12, 2009 12:55 PM

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@darman: Many hotels have valet and self park options. I just stayed in a hotel in downtown Atlanta and parked myself in their garage.

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darman

January 12, 2009 4:16 PM

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@Aaron Meck: The Hampton Inn in Atlanta on Spring Street doesn't. Well it is self park, but it is $16 a night.

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lotussix

January 12, 2009 1:11 AM

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Agreed. Parking in DC... especially on NYE isn't free. There is no mention of self parking available (probably because it isn't).

Website Link: [hamptoninn.hilton.com]

Anyway, I used to work in Consumer Affairs for a competitor and if the guest called, I would have probably not comped the night. I would have provided a point reward equal to one free night at a similar caliber hotel, that way the guest would have to at least try us again. If he had a bad experience, he is more than welcome to stay with one of our competitors. Then again, the policies we had and Hilton are different by far! Also, I thought that the management at the hotel level would have handled this differently.

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January 12, 2009 1:36 PM

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@lotussix: A point reward? Are you kidding? Fuck that.

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LJKelley

January 12, 2009 12:02 PM

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@lotussix: LOL... you make me laugh. The sign in the hotel did not offer a free night if your weren't 100% satisfied, it said you DID NOT HAVE TO PAY if you were not 100% satisfied. Obviously he was not 100% satisfied, I don't care if he was 99% satisfied.

Your obviously horrible at your job, because if you don't follow policy they may just ignore those miles and or do a chargeback because they have every right to. In the end they will think less of your company than if you had followed policy.

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January 12, 2009 2:33 PM

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@LJKelley:
You must have misread her post before accusing her of doing a terrible job. She said:
\"I used to work in Consumer Affairs for a competitor\".... and \"Then again, the policies we had and Hilton are different by far!\"....

You just assumed that she did a bad job following the policies at a completely different hotel chain than the one mentioned in the OP's story.

The hotel SHE worked at wasn't the same one as the one that had the 100% satisfied sign. We don't know the policies at the hotel she was working at. We can't assume she doesn't follow them and that she was \"horrible\" at her job.

Time out and go stand in the corner for 5 minutes or there will be no recess for you. ;P

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coren

January 12, 2009 12:59 AM

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@darman: I'm curious how 28 bucks garners 10 bucks in tax.

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January 12, 2009 2:36 PM

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@coren: I don't know about DC, but in NYC, there is a parking tax of 18.375%

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darman

January 12, 2009 12:29 AM

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On another note. As a Hilton Diamond member whom prefers Hamptons, it is refreshing to see this is the first story with a \"Hampton Inn\" tag.

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bohemian

January 12, 2009 12:31 AM

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We stayed at a Hampton in the midwest where we were treated to someone's spawn being allowed to jump off the beds and run across the room repeatedly at midnight in the room above us. We called the office twice and they didn't seem to give a rip. When we checked out they asked how our stay was we mentioned the late night disturbance and they just kept on with checking us out. I wished I was aware of their guarantee at that time.

Generally a hotel can't be totally responsible for the behavior of other guests but it was some sort of family reunion or wedding. The entire family was acting like a bunch of animals. Crapped in the pool, sex in the hot tub. We pretty much avoided the public areas but at some point shouldn't the hotel kick people like that out? Yet someone who complained about parking is asked to leave?

2 replies

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dwasifar

January 12, 2009 4:32 AM

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@bohemian: CRAPPED in the pool? As in, actual brown human excreta? Or do you just mean they threw garbage in the pool?

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January 12, 2009 1:21 AM

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@bohemian: Could have been the parents doing the horizontal jumping on the bed upstairs too.

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Anonymous

January 12, 2009 12:36 AM

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As a former front office director for Hilton this sounds like parts of the story are left out. I agree that the GM handled it badly, but I also can't count the number of times I heard that my hotel should have signage posted warning guests about parking fees, and we had 22 signs all over the garage and in the elevator bays. Sometimes guests see what they want to see. Either way, Hilton will issue him a credit if the hotel does not resolve the situation on their own.

1 replies

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Mary

January 13, 2009 12:43 AM

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@AretinaMonart: Thank you for that. I'm frequently told there aren't signs on our lots and only once have we had somebody go out and discover that the sign was in fact missing. Besides the fact that there are signs every two feet, so one missing one isn't that much of an issue.

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pwillow1

January 12, 2009 12:53 AM

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I had a very nice stay in a Hampton Inn in Ohio this summer and have recommended the chain to others. Clean, comfortable, inexpensive. Small indoor pool, jacuzzi, free wi-fi. (And free parking.) We took advantage of the free \"continental\" breakfast the next morning before leaving -- the offerings went well beyond the typical continental breakfast. We definitely got our money's worth and more.

That said, if I had had an encounter like that with the hotel manager, I'd be exercising my option for a free stay as well. Overreact much, Ms. Stahler? Banishing a customer because of a dispute over a charge you failed to disclose?

Fortunately the Hampton Inn we stayed in had a very agreeable staff, and I will continue to recommend the chain.

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missdona

January 12, 2009 1:01 AM

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I had a Hampton Inn in NJ comp my stay because I found a sock in my room. It really wasn't necessary, but they insisted.

I had another in upstate NY call and email my office when I left my cell in a room.

I've had great experiences with Hamptons, so I bet this is a crankpants GM, and not indicative of normal Hamptons.

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IrvCrapper

January 12, 2009 1:16 AM

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You get when you pay for. Go to one of those price aggregator websites, and get a room at anything less than 2.5 stars, and you are staying in a shit room 70% percent of the time.

I once showed up at a Ramada Express in Chattanooga and stayed in a room with wet beds. The place was utter shit.

4 replies

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Mr_Human

January 12, 2009 1:32 AM

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@IrvCrapper: Try the Super 8 in Augusta, Maine. No towels, and a box of half-eaten fried chicken under the bed.

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January 12, 2009 1:56 PM

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@Mr_Human: A few years ago a Hawthorn Suites I went to in Orange County CA had stray dogs in the lobby.

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IrvCrapper

January 12, 2009 3:21 AM

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Friggin' sweet!

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Dooley

January 12, 2009 1:59 AM

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Mmm, fried chicken. I love fried chicken.

/not

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Len Yarbrough

January 12, 2009 1:54 AM

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It seems rather improbable that anyone trying to park in Washington DC would expect to find free underground parking in the city. The driver made an error, and the management reserves the right to deny service to anyone.

3 replies

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MauriceCallidice

January 12, 2009 7:00 AM

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@Len Yarbrough: There's a difference between \"free\" and \"included with the cost of your room.\" I wouldn't expect the former, but I wouldn't be shocked by the latter.

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Suttin

January 12, 2009 4:21 AM

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@Len Yarbrough:

To bad the GM said that the parking would be free, and then charge them for two parking spots.

The driver didn't make an error; he did everything he was told to do and was assured he wouldn't have to pay for parking.

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Mary

January 13, 2009 12:45 AM

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@Suttin: According to the story the manager NEVER said that the parking would be free.

She did not mention a charge and did not discuss it, which she should have. But she did not say it was free. Big difference. The manager is still at fault and it's still bad customer service, but not as bad as some seem to think.

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formergr

January 12, 2009 2:09 AM

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She then started a rant \"Do you just go an drive in to peoples' private garages without getting a ticket at the entrance!?\", a fairly irrelevant point.

I at that point would have told her, \"Actually, if I'm a guest at their house, and the garage is open and has an empty spot, I probably would as long as when I went in I checked with my host that it was okay.\" Which is exactly what he did!

2 replies

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January 12, 2009 2:45 PM

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@formergr: Seriously. Whose private garage dispenses tickets at the entrance?

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Mary

January 13, 2009 12:46 AM

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@floraposte: Businesses in D.C. and Northern Virginia.

Those garages aren't technically for public parking, most are only for people coming to the businesses in that building. These often offer free parking for a certain number of hours to customers.

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the dude

January 12, 2009 2:15 AM

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There is absolutely no excuse for poor customer service, especially from a GM's standpoint. Unfortunately, we as Americans are so used to it that this episode should come as no surprise to anyone...

2 replies

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telarium

January 12, 2009 11:03 AM

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Business is business - and private enterprises can (and often do) have poor customer service. That's their perrogative. Excusing it is, indeed, a moot point, because they can do whatever they want - including banishing the customer from the establishment. Now you, as a customer can rightfully choose to patronize such establishments or not.

I must heartedly agree that this should come as no suprise to anyone. But the sword cuts both ways. I work in hospitality and I find a select few American customers to be rude, excessive, and downright abusive. I'm not going to go so far to say that this applies to the OP -- or even you -- but you must wonder why personalities like that of the GM have been spawned by \"entitlement-saavy\" customers whose expectations are so unrealistic, that in exchange for their (probably) hard-earned cash, they expect God Almighty to grace them upon entrance.

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doctor_cos wants you to remain calm

January 12, 2009 12:03 PM

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...they expect God Almighty to grace them...

You say that like it's a bad thing. With what most places charge now, I would say that is a reasonable expectation.

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telarium

January 12, 2009 1:03 PM

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And, for better or worse, you are the customer I'm talking about. You're the customer that suddenly woke up from a 1960's-era stupor, where gas was 10 cents a gallon, a soda was 5 cents, and children could freely play outdoors, unsupervised. Hey, I'm jealous - it sounds fantastic. But it's 2009.

Inflation-stagflation has been going on for a while now, bud. The dollar isn't nearly as valuable as it was in 2000, or even 1995. We came off pegging the dollar to gold reserves a long time ago. Debt is high, savings are low. This is the state of affairs. Your purchasing power per dollar, even domestically, has gone down. Maybe that's why places charge more? Maybe they pay their workers a living wage? Maybe they're just greedy businesses hoarding profits at the top of the pay scale?

There's reason, and there's rediculous. The problem is, some people can't distinguish between the two. And while people spend a healthy amount of money at my luxury property, I've never witnessed God firsthand.

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Pylon83

January 12, 2009 2:26 AM

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I agree with those above who say the OP was foolish to think parking was free. The analogy to ordering a drink is spot-on. The OP didn't ask how much parking was, his fault. As noted above, the website makes clear that parking is valet and not free. Even if you're a country-bumpkin that's never paid for parking at a hotel, it's your responsibility to ensure it's free, especially when it's in a garage. I agree that the manager handled it poorly, but the OP was off for assuming that it would be free because the manager didn't say \"You have to pay for parking\" as she handed him the ticket.

2 replies

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Primate

January 12, 2009 3:09 AM

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@Pylon83:
Except at a restaurant the drink prices would be on the menu. Sort of like parking prices should be at the entrance or outside the front of the hotel where you would pull up and have the valet park your car.

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Pylon83

January 12, 2009 3:17 AM

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@Primate:
That's actually not always true. A lot of restaurants don't list alcohol prices on the menu.

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SabreDC

January 12, 2009 3:53 AM

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@Pylon83: The hotel offered valet service only, which means that the customer would not park the car himself. Sorta like a bartender at the bar. If the customer walks to the hotel check in counter and says \"Hey, I parked my own car...\" wouldn't that trigger something odd in the manager's brain?

Back to the analogous bar example, if there was no bartender at the bar to get you your drink and sitting on the bar were dozens of bottles of beer, and there are no indications that the drinks are not free, wouldn't you assume that they are available for the taking? Especially if the bartender came back, saw you drinking one, and gave you a coaster without asking you about your acquisition of said drink?

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SunnyLea

January 12, 2009 7:36 PM

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Er... no.

Seriously, who would go up to a bar and just pick up a beer and assume it was free? Weird analogy.

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Mary

January 13, 2009 12:49 AM

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@SunnyLea: Who would park at a hotel in a major city and just assume it's free?

Nobody that I've ever traveled with. And most people I know tend to assume there will be anywhere from $5 to $20 for parking whenever we're going anyway.

If the OP assumed the price of parking was part of the hotel costs, that's one thing. And since the manager didn't say anything when she gave him the parking slip, it's still her fault. But he could have saved himself a lot of grief if he had asked then.

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egoods

January 12, 2009 2:30 AM

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This story is really surprising. I stayed at a Hilton in Rosemont, IL once, and was pissed that they charged $10 a day for parking in a suburb. I complained to the general manager and not only did they comp the parking but they also comped me one nights stay (out of a 3 night stay). I was really surprised. And when I stayed there next year they got rid of the charge for parking!

1 replies

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January 12, 2009 7:41 PM

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@egoods: If its the one I'm thinking of, they charge for parking to stop commuters from using their lot and then taking the blue line train into the city.

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courtneywoah

January 12, 2009 2:38 AM

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sorry but this guy sounds like a jackass.

2 replies

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Rachacha

January 12, 2009 4:42 AM

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@courtneywoah: I have to agree...\"I drove in to the open garage entrance as there was no signage (note that nothing designates the place \"employees only\"-I made sure to take pic's to note that fact).\"
1) How do you take a picture of something that does not exist.
2) Why would you feel it necessary to take a picture of a garage entrance unless you felt like you were doing something that was wrong.

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January 12, 2009 6:53 AM

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@Rachacha: I'm guessing he took the photos after the confrontation with the manager, with plans to forward them to corporate.

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January 12, 2009 9:52 PM

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rachacha and courtneywoah, you're both retarded.

\"how do you take pix of that which doesnt exist?\"
]]] He took a pic of the area around the parking spot, where he expected to see a sign, but there wasnt one. You really need that explained to you?

\"why take a pic at all?\"
]]] To cover his ass, instead of just parking there.
paying attention and taking pix to prove it isn't an admission of guilt.

Learn to think fully. the manager was a lying bitch.

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Russell Miller

January 12, 2009 2:44 AM

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You know, BOTH parties are responsible, and both are acting like jerks.

Once I somehow got into Universal Citywalk without paying the parking fee. After I left and sent them the fee, I realized I hadn't paid, and sent them an email. They sent me two free parking tickets for my honesty.

The poster handled this very poorly. So did the manager. If I were her, I would have said, \"OK, Sir, even though you owe us the money, I'll comp you one day because I told you it was OK.\" They've already made money on his renting the room, they can afford it.

Now, on the other hand, demanding and getting the room free because of this dispute? There's a difference between standing up for your rights and just being a jerk, and that line was crossed.

4 replies

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January 12, 2009 9:56 PM

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@Russell Miller: The gm chick told him is was ok to park there, she gave him a parking stub that clearly states he doesnt owe money for the parking

how does this fact escape you?

the only line crossed was when the gm lied about the parking and then tried to charge him later for it.

well, another line was crossed when she got attitude and tried to intimiated with 'ill start a file on you'.

\"demanding the room be free\" is part of their policy, stated in the article, \"if you're not happy, you dont pay\"

your reading comprehension, like your logic, is weak.

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Mary

January 13, 2009 12:53 AM

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@JoshReflek: \"stub that clearly states he doesnt owe money for the parking\"

Where? There's no indication in the story that the stub said there was no charge or that parking was free. It was just a parking stub.

How did that escape you?

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Glamourdammerung

January 12, 2009 2:39 PM

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@Russell Miller: Being ranted at by an employee would probably fall under \"not completely satisfied with one's stay\". Whether you feel the parking issue was justified or not, if the employee did indeed act that bellicose towards a customer, I would not be that surprised if they did the same thing the OP did.

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Craig

January 12, 2009 5:17 AM

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@Russell Miller: If it's the hotel's posted policy that they'll comp your room if you're not satisfied with your stay then under the circumstances he has every right to hold the hotel to their policy.

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January 12, 2009 2:48 AM

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This is odd. I have booked numerous employees in this hotel (our office is right across the street) and I have never once had them complain about this hotel. I think there is more this story.

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humphrmi

January 12, 2009 3:13 AM

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I usually stay at Holiday Inns (i.e. Express) but for a family reunion a few years ago we were coerced into staying at the Hampton Inn in Harrisburg, PA.

We had adjoining rooms, and one of them was in great condition, the other one was terrible... peeling wallpaper, A/C didn't work right in the middle of summer.

The kicker was, we went to the pool and I wrapped up our room key in my son's t-shirt and put it on a table. While we were swimming, the lifeguard (who spent most of the time we were there on her mobile phone) apparently went around and collected up all the \"unclaimed clothing\". Mind you, this was in the middle of the day, while several dozen guests were using the pool. The t-shirt was left at the front desk and the room keys were discarded.

I think it's a good idea to police for left-behinds, maybe once per day after the pool closes. But summarily collecting everyone's belongings and dumping them at the front desk during the middle of the day was a bit too much.

I complained to the desk, and they just shrugged (although I believe I might have gotten a couple bucks credit on my bill for complaining.)

My only other experience with Hampton before that was at a wedding in Indiana - as we were checking out and I was hauling luggage down to the car, they locked us out of our rooms at 11:00 AM sharp. I had one suitcase left in the room, and couldn't get in at 11:03 to get it. Then I had to stand in line at the front desk behind all the check-outs to get my room unlocked.

Between those two events, I'll never go back to a Hampton Inn.

6 replies

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SlappySquirrel

January 12, 2009 2:35 PM

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@humphrmi: It's possible the computer locks the rooms automatically at 11:00am.

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January 12, 2009 4:54 PM

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@SlappySquirrel: Yep. The card keys are programmed on the spot when the customer checks in. The customer is then asked when they think they will leave the following day. The card will expire around that time. So, no purposeful locking-out going on. They just had to make a new key card.

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humphrmi

January 14, 2009 3:17 AM

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@chelotoyou: That's a great story. And when I stay at any other hotel, they don't lock me out at check out time. So, in sum, Hampton shoos their guests away on check out day, Holiday Inn doesn't, and I don't stay at the former. I guess everyone's happy.

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January 12, 2009 2:49 PM

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@SlappySquirrel: My thoughts as well. I believe some key cards are set to expire at checkout time. Though of course if the staff refuse to let the guest back in, it's more than just a computer action. Did they?

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SlappySquirrel

January 12, 2009 3:30 PM

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@floraposte: It certainly doesn't sound like it from the way it is written.

SS

Ps. LOVE your handle.

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Anonymous

January 12, 2009 7:13 AM

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Agreed about the lifeguard. However, the room key was probably set up to expire at checkout on the day you were scheduled to leave. Nothing against you, but that's how a lot of these sorts of systems are set up. Usually, if you go to the front desk, they'll issue you another key (or otherwise let you in). Similarly, if you need another copy of your room key, some systems give the front desk the ability to invalidate all previously issued room keys -- I had a good time discovering this one. It can be useful to clarify that you left the room key in the room, rather than omitting that fact.

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SabreDC

January 12, 2009 3:29 AM

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@humphrmi: The one on Union Deposit Road? I practically lived out of there while I was working and waiting to move into an apartment. If that's the one you're talking about, I'm really surprised because 5-6 years ago, it was a very, very good hotel.

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humphrmi

January 12, 2009 2:18 PM

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@SabreDC: Yeah that was the one. It was maybe 3 years ago.

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Tiki McTikatron

January 12, 2009 3:20 AM

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As a consumer, I find their web site to be vague. Yes, it states valet for $28 a day. To me, that means that they offer a service in which you can opt to hand your keys over to someone else to park your car for you. It doesn't make clear their actual parking policy.

What is more typical, and better form, is for hotels that do not offer parking other than valet, to display specific verbiage stating something like \"No self parking\" or \"X amount a day to park on site\". Their web site could have been clearer to avoid this situation. It is also a quick change/easy fix to avoid this situation in the future. The garage should have also had a sign.

Hotels that do offer free parking, it is not uncommon for them to ask you to get a stub so they can keep track of which cars belong to actual guests (to tow unregistered cars if they run out of parking spots). So that doesn't exactly scream that you are ordering something that you didn't assume was free either. And yes, I have stayed at larger hotel chains with a parking garage where the self parking was free. It does exist.

If someone isn't from the area and is staying at your establishment, you need to make the rules clear and not assume that they know the parking trends for the area.

I can totally see how this was a situation just waiting to happen. It would have been nice if the manager had taken a deep breath, used the situation as a learning opportunity to improve the customer experience, and set expectations for future customers instead of ranting and losing a night's rent.

1 replies

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)

January 12, 2009 6:13 AM

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@Tiki McTikatron: \"If someone isn't from the area and is staying at your establishment\"

even if they are from the area! I was at a meeting in my own downtown at a hotel and I was absolutely SHOCKED by their parking policy (virtually all local hotels have free parking/paid valet; this was paid parking -- and it was CASH ONLY, and it was QUITE expensive by local standards; we typically DO pay to park downtown on weekdays, but HALF what this hotel was charging).

It was a good thing I happened to have cash in my purse. I hadn't even thought about it; I knew they had a parking garage, and I just assumed, like a dummy, that it was like every other garage in town.

(Rates were posted, so I got the nasty shock driving IN, but I didn't have much choice as I'm pregnant and it was icy and I couldn't walk from the nearest garage over in that weather safely.)

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Blaaaah

January 12, 2009 3:35 AM

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I've always had excellent experiences with the Hampton Inn. I make it a point to try and stay there if I need overnight lodging. I know they'll take care of me.

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January 12, 2009 4:40 AM

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Google Street View:

[maps.google.com]

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January 12, 2009 4:48 AM

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My link didn't take but maps.google.com Street View for \"901 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC\" shows a Hampton garage with door down and no signage. In my experience downtown hotels with underground parking are always paid unless it is explicitly included in the room rate. Most downtown guests arrive by taxi and hotels do not have enough parking for all rooms.

2 replies

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January 12, 2009 6:36 AM

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@MrsLopsided: Actually, your link very clearly shows a \"Valet Parking Only\" sign.

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January 12, 2009 2:53 PM

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@Smashville: In front of the hotel's main entrance, though--which the OP states was too packed up with cars to get into, so he wouldn't have seen it. There's no sign visible at the garage entrance itself.

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January 12, 2009 4:56 AM

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What kind of valet garage is this where it's possible for someone to park their own car? Valet lots and garages are more tightly packed than shipping containers. You'd usually have to park in such a way that you're blocking in an entire row of cars. It's always much more prominent in the city too, to the point where you don't even need signage; just look for cars packed like sardines. Also, I don't immediately take this guy's word that there was no signage. Perhaps he just didn't notice any (or is being willfully ignorant). It's more extraordinary than if he's just lying, which isn't so bad as it sounds.

But that's just mildly weird. What makes even less sense is why the manager should ban hundreds of dollars in current and future business over a $76 mistake, no matter who's mistake it was. I guess Hampton Inn needs to hire less script-jockeys.

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edrebber

January 12, 2009 5:15 AM

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If you're staying at a hotel, it's reasonable to expect to park in the hotel's garage. Many hotels do not charge for parking. It's reasonable to assume that if there is no sign stating a charge for parking and no attendant is on duty, then there will be no charge for parking.

The web site does state that there is a charge for valet parking, but the customer did not receive valet service. The web site doesn't mention a charge for self service parking.

3 replies

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January 12, 2009 5:19 AM

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@edrebber:
\"If you're staying at a hotel, it's reasonable to expect to park in the hotel's garage.\"

Free parking is not a reasonable expectation at downtown hotels that have limited underground parking.

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January 13, 2009 9:46 PM

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@MrsLopsided: \"Free parking is not a reasonable expectation at downtown hotels that have limited underground parking.\"

It's reasonable to expect:
- to park in the hotel's garage (paid or not)
- to park at a garage at a hotel where you are staying, in the absence of signage to the contrary

- to not pay a valet fee if you parked your own car
- to be given the option of parking somewhere else in order to avoid paying a parking fee

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edrebber

January 12, 2009 5:42 AM

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@MrsLopsided:
I disagree. There was no sign and no staff manning the garage. The web site only states a charge for valet parking, which the customer did not receive.

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January 12, 2009 6:34 AM

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@edrebber: Google Street View shows there is clearly a sign.

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January 12, 2009 2:55 PM

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@Smashville: But not at the entrance to the garage.

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January 12, 2009 5:31 AM

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I have never stayed in a city hotel where parking was free. Never.

If it was a valet only lot there wouldn't be any signage for pricing on it, because the valets don't need to know how much parking is.

I can sympathize with this guy's confusion over the parking rules, since nobody was very clear with him about them, but I think both parties douched out instead of letting calmer heads prevail.

Once I parked in a hotel lot in DC and when I left I paid at the front desk. The lady took my ticket and gave me a printed receipt. Then the guy at the gate wouldn't take the receipt as proof that I paid to park there. I said \"Well, it sounds to me like someone doesn't know the policy for your lot very well, but it's not my problem. You can go straighten it out with her and I'll be on my way.\" He tried to grab the window frame so that I wouldn't drive away.
I said \"If you don't take your hands off my car I'm either going drive away with you hanging on to the door frame, or I'm going to get out of my car. If I have to get out of my car, your friend will have to call the police for me and an ambulance for you.\" He let go and I drove away.
The next day I parked there again, and the lady at the front desk was extremely apologetic to me, and when I came over to pay my parking fee she called the manager from the back to apologize for the mistake, and for the behavior of the parking attendant.

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January 12, 2009 5:32 AM

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BTW, the parking cost information is posted right on their website and is consistent with parking garages in that area. I believe the daily rate is actually ON the parking pass that she gave him.

Hampton Inn Washington, DC- Convention Center
Valet Parking: 28.00 USD daily plus tax
In/Out Privileges: Available
Secured: Available
Covered: Available
Parking Information: Valet Parking only based upon availability

A Google Street View shows that there is a sign clearly saying Valet Parking Only and the rates are posted, available during check-in, on their website, and also pretty much common sense when you are staying in a big city.

2 replies

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scooby2

January 12, 2009 6:18 AM

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@Dan W: Google Street View FTW! Sign says Valet Parking only. I would agree that the rate was most likely on the parking pass. I am curious where the $38 came from when it says $28 on the website. 36% tax?

Things could have been handled better by both parties.

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edrebber

January 12, 2009 5:46 AM

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@Dan W:
Valet parking wasn't available. There was no staff at the parking garage. There is no charge stated for self service parking.

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January 12, 2009 7:25 AM

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Note that the OP booked 1 room and parked 2 cars in the parking garage. His and his girlfriend's.

I am not sure from the wording if the girlfriend parked it herself or had a valet park it.

\"My girlfriend arrived about 30 minutes later and I had her get the car parked in the garage also\"

1 replies

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Mary

January 13, 2009 12:56 AM

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@MrsLopsided: This is an important point. I have stayed at hotels before that said only one car could park for free, or only allowed one car per room because of parking issues.

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January 12, 2009 7:48 AM

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This is why I research any hotel I will be staying at.

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January 12, 2009 7:57 AM

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It sounds like it was a valet charge, not a parking charge. Which means they cannot charge him since he parked the car. Next time they should bill him for parking, not for a service he did not receive.

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January 12, 2009 12:43 PM

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Geeze,

I'll be blunt.
If I need to stay in a hotel obviously I am traveling and will need some place to park my car.
I find it stupid that they do not provide free parking for their guests.
What astounds me the most is the volume of people who think that a hotel should not provide free parking.

4 replies

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Mary

January 13, 2009 12:58 AM

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@lemortede: There is NO such thing as free parking. The cost of the lot and it's maintenance is only built into the prices for everything else, thus charging everybody for parking if they use it or not.

I prefer paid parking, especially considering I hate driving in D.C. so I only take public transit. Why should I pay for somebody else to park?

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January 12, 2009 4:50 PM

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@lemortede: While on business, I have actually stayed at certain hotel due to the business activities yet parked my rental car at a pay lot across the street or down the block since the hotel parking charge was so high. Lot parking $10 entire day or something like $2 per hour- hotel parking was an amazing $35 day but you had to pay again if you drove out and returned...pox on that.

I am thinking this was at trade show in Dallas, TX...

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SlappySquirrel

January 12, 2009 2:38 PM

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@lemortede: Unless you flew or took Amtrak into town and are just taking Metro around, which is the smart thing to do if you're staying in downtown DC anyway.

Why should people who are doing that have to subsidize the cost of providing free parking to people who drive?

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Rectilinear Propagation

January 12, 2009 2:09 PM

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I find it stupid that they do not provide free parking for their guests.

@lemortede: Or at least let the cost of building the parking structure get included in the cost of the room. Why does there have to be a separate fee for everything?

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kmw2

January 12, 2009 2:09 PM

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My partner and I stayed at that hotel once for one night at the end of a conference. I couldn't fault the hotel service, but the exorcism in the next room in the middle of the night was a bit much.

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Propaniac

January 12, 2009 2:13 PM

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I'm puzzled that people think it's more reasonable to expect the consumer to scour the website of every hotel he stays at, than to expect the hotel to post a \"VALET PARKING ONLY $X\" sign somewhere near the garage entrance.

1 replies

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Mary

January 13, 2009 12:59 AM

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@Propaniac: I do agree with this. The lot should have had signage. I'm skeptical about that point, but without a sign stating the cost, or that the lot was private/closed/valet only, then the hotel should not expect their guests to know and should inform them when giving them the parking stub.

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January 12, 2009 2:19 PM

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Hotel = place where you earn a living by charging guests to stay for the night. Bad business practice to prevent people paying you to stay at your establishment. But then this is America. Up = down. forward = backward.

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Jack Doyle

January 12, 2009 2:43 PM

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I stay at Hampton Inns all the time. Though I have never used it, they do have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

I would recommend contacting them and asking for a refund based on their 100% satisfaction guarantee.

[secure.hilton.com]

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savdavid

January 12, 2009 2:55 PM

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I think this story sounds fishy. I was a manager for 20 years for a retail outfit and NEVER did I banish someone, in fact, I did all I could to please them even if they were 100% wrong! Most managers I know will respond to a non-aggressive question. If you approach managers yelling or cursing or accusing they are likely to do as little as possible while still keeping your business. All I can say is behave professionally when asking questions about something you don't understand or agree with. Now, if the manager ignores you or is unprofessional then go over their heads. I always went by \"I can get more with sugar than salt\" and it works most of the time. Some managers ARE jerks but be sure THEY are the nasty one, not you.
I suspect this gentleman was rude from the moment he found out he was charged.

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rolla

January 12, 2009 3:08 PM

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well, they lost me as a customer..i'll choose from the many other ones available in the area when i go visit DC in March.

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January 12, 2009 3:37 PM

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Never had major issues at the Hilton brand Inn's at Laredo. Just one bitch would be the goddamm trains tooting their horns at 3 AfriggingM in the morning!

Stayed at the Hampton which was 4 blocks from the railroads and two concurrent stays, I was looking for another spot, so I took up refuge in the Homewood Suites, which are very nice. As a Gold Member, I will say that they do bend over backwards to accommodate their clients and they do pay attention to detail. 4 stars to them!

They DO need to post instructions for the waffle iron tho. 6AM wakeups from the motel's fire alarm is a great substitute for coffee. After combing my hair (that stood on end) down and head to the dining area, I find a staffer scraping the remains of a charred waffle out of the iron, with smoke still in the air. This happened twice during my stays, and they finally pulled the plug on them. I miss my waffles!

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January 12, 2009 3:48 PM

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She wrote him a parking slip after he checked with her. Why are people missing this point and blaming the OP?

1 replies

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Mary

January 13, 2009 1:01 AM

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@DeafChick: As I've said several times, she should have taken that opportunity to reinforce the parking regulations.

But the OP hardly seems blameless in this. I think he shoulders his part of the responsibility for the results, especially because he seems like the type who escalated the conflict quickly when cooler heads might have solved it all in a better fashion.

As in most situations no one can claim to be wholly right or wholly wrong.

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Tmoney02

January 12, 2009 3:57 PM

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So let me get this straight - this guy comes to a big city and expects to be able to park for free, Parks his own car without seeing anything indicating a pay lot, and some how miss all the website and check-in information noting the charge for parking along with the HUGE SIGN outside the entrance saying VALET PARKING ONLY.

[maps.google.com]

While I agree it is over the top to be banned from the hotel (though I think there is more to this story - like an argument) he should expect the parking fee and having to use valet service.

A lot of hotels in DC dont actually own their own garages but lease space from a garage owner. That is also one reason while valet is mandatory - for liability reasons.

1 replies

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Tmoney02

January 12, 2009 4:06 PM

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@Tmoney02: Okay, before to many read this I am going to correct myself and do a 180 on my position.

Looking at the sign I posted above it is blurry on the bottom but the sign actually reads:

Valet Parking Only
Lot Full.

That would say to me that if the lot wasn't full you could park yourself. This would be especially true considering the garage truly belongs to the hotel and their is no signs - at least on the outside

Here is a picture of the garage via google street view.

[maps.google.com]

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consumer-warrior

January 12, 2009 4:02 PM

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If the sign says 100% satisfaction or your stay is free he did exactly the right thing. It's not customer service if you're not satisfying the customer. Wonder how long before this hotel takes that sign down. They'd be better off to remove the employee who didn't clarify there would be a charge for the parking.

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AustinTXProgrammer

January 12, 2009 4:10 PM

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I think the submitter may have shuffled the order of events, and probably immediately threatened to use the 100% satisfaction guarantee to avoid the parking charges instead of being reasonable.

I can't see any other reason why the Hotel would ban him. A customer wishing to abuse the 100% satisfaction guarantee would be an unprofitable problem customer and should be banned.

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January 12, 2009 4:21 PM

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Hey just think if he stayed at the Marriot at the Richmond VA convention center:

He would have had his tires urine cleaned by the 'guests' drinking in the hotel lobby and then he would have to walk AROUND the hotel outside at night to get back to his car because they roped off the hallway to the parking lot for a wedding.

We moved a major area convention from Richmond VA's substandard performing Marriot attached Convention center to the Virginia Beach convention center. I have never seen management as unprofessional as the marriot or the convention center. They actually will not let you get a room at the front desk. You have to call on a phone. They woke me up at 3am to ask who else was in my room. They met a door as I slammed it and went back to sleep.

To this day I cannot believe people were drinking open beer and liquor drinks right on Broad Street (main road in the capitol of Virginia). I saw cowboys doing their business on cars in the parking deck and drinking up there too. Nobody did a thing.

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RurouniX

January 12, 2009 4:30 PM

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OP shouldn't ever assume parking is \"free\" whether it's explicitly or implicit stated.

Whatever the case...that manager is a complete idiot. I'm fairly sure somewhere in the multitude of things you're shown and some you sign when you check in that clearly states parking fees.

Best threat ever - \"I'm going to start a file on you!\"

And from all the posts I've seen in this threat...seriously guys? You're staying at motels and inns...what you were expecting them to be like the Four Seasons?

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mike047

January 12, 2009 4:38 PM

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I'd like to hear the hotel's side of the story. I suspect there might be something more to the story than we've been told. In my experience, people just don't act as erratically as the manager in this story is said to have acted.

I could see it if it were a lower-level manager trying to save face in the presence of the boss, but we're allegedly dealing with the general manager of the hotel here.

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January 12, 2009 4:43 PM

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Did he also complain about the additional fee for the USA Today dropped infront of his hotel room door?

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Anonymous

January 12, 2009 5:44 PM

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not wanting to play devil's advocate because what the manager did here was totally wrong... but somehow i can't believe that if there is a charge for parking it wouldn't be marked at least somewhere. i work for the hilton parent company and at my property it is clearly marked. i also checked the website for the hampton inn in dc and it is stated on their website that parking is $28 plus tax. she did totally go about it wrong and should NEVER have told you that you weren't welcome to stay there anymore (that is pretty much insane and unheard of for me) but she should have at least pointed out where charges were defined and where they were not.

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January 12, 2009 7:36 PM

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Wow, some of you have really sharpened your Blame the OP game.

The parking in front of the hotel was full, so OP could not have seen the valet sign near the front door (as shown in above posted google map images) because it would have been blocked by cars. There is NO sign next to the garage entrance (as evidenced by above posted google map images). If this place is valet parking only they should have had a sign next to the garage stating so - like pretty much every other hotel I've ever stayed at or worked in and every other building I've had to park at in a major city. The hotel is at fault here for not clearly posting signs.

Next the hotel is at fault for clearing him to park there, knowing he parked on his own, without informing him of any self-parking fees. The drink at a restaurant analogy DOES NOT WORK. Two very different scenarios.

Lastly, the manager was way out of line. I don't understand how people are refusing to believe a manager acted in this way because they never would. Just because you wouldn't do something or a manager shouldn't have done something doesn't mean the manager didn't actually do it. \"Not likely to\" does not equal \"never will.\" And if a manager overreacted and told me I was not welcome because of something so idiotic I would have been offended and reacted right back.

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Mary

January 13, 2009 1:07 AM

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@Cattivella: While I agree with your points, the fact is that I've worked too long on the other side of this fence to believe this story.

I have told people to their face what our parking rules and regulations are, only to have them come in a week later and swear to me that \"nobody told them\" that they couldn't park where they were. Either they've forgotten me or they think I can't remember them, but I know for a fact that they're either mistaken or lying.

So while I completely agree that even if half of what is said about this manager is right, she behaved badly and should be taken to task for it, I hardly think we should as a whole always assume the OP is free of responsibility and avoid questioning them because it's \"blaming the OP.\" Sometimes, the OP shares responsibility. That's the nature of the world, and I think it's a good thing not to just take things at their face value.

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Anonymous

January 17, 2009 3:51 PM

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@Meiran: What was not mentioned was that this was on new years eve and the guy was drunk as hell. Might want to check the BAC before you drive let alone park your car.

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Joseph W Smith Jr

January 12, 2009 9:37 PM

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I haven't had any problems with Hampton Inn at all. I have stayed at a few and have nothing but great things to say about them.

I honestly am not familiar with parking rates in \"bigger cities\", and probably would be in shock to find out that it is valet parking only. When I expect to be at a guest at a establishment I expect to also have a available parking space onsite.

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April 12, 2010 2:52 PM

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I almost chose that exact hotel on 6th St. once - so glad I didn't. Now I never will.

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