Guest User
September 20, 2024
I had an incredibly frustrating experience with this Clarion location. After booking through Priceline, I realized the hotel was not pet-friendly, which was a huge issue since I had just traveled almost 40 hours with my dogs from the East Coast. Even though I was apologetic and admitted that it was an honest mistake on my part, management stood firm, citing Priceline’s clear policy that the hotel wasn’t pet-friendly, and refused to offer a refund or cancellation. This situation became a much bigger ordeal than it needed to be, and I spent nearly three hours on the phone, going back and forth between Choice Hotels corporate and Priceline senior representatives. Both Priceline and Choice Hotels corporate were trying to find a solution, but ultimately, the decision was in the hands of the management team at the hotel. As someone with experience in the hospitality industry, I understand how difficult it can be to deal with unsatisfied customers—it’s something I personally hate doing. However, my concerns weren’t taken seriously until I had to escalate the situation and get more forceful. Only after contacting Choice Hotels corporate and filing an official case did management finally agree to cancel my reservation. I even had to inform them that I would dispute the transaction and involve my lawyer, especially with an official report already filed through Choice Hotels. Despite this, it wasn’t the management team who reached out to resolve the issue or offer an apology—it was the Front Desk Receptionist who called to tell me they would make an exception and issue a refund. Even though the management team was apparently in a meeting that day, not a single person contacted me directly to apologize or offer assistance. For a brand that claims to set the standard for hospitality, their complete lack of engagement was not only unprofessional but incredibly disappointing. If it weren’t for the kind and understanding Front Desk Receptionist, this review would be far more negative. She was the only person who showed any sympathy and actively worked to provide a solution. Honestly, she deserves a promotion for her efforts and professionalism—the management team could learn a lot from her. If you’re traveling without pets and want minimal interaction with staff, this place might work for you. But if you expect pleasant and professional service—especially from management—I’d strongly recommend looking elsewhere.