Disappointing Experience During What Should Have Been a Special Weekend
My husband and I recently stayed at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta to celebrate his birthday. This was an especially meaningful getaway because my mother-in-law is currently battling stage IV cancer, and my husband is her full-time caregiver. My sister-in-law graciously stepped in for the weekend so we could have a much-needed opportunity to relax and celebrate.
Unfortunately, our experience at the pool on Friday, August 28 put a significant damper on the entire stay.
We went to the pool expecting a relaxing afternoon. The DJ was great and the atmosphere initially seemed wonderful. However, the food and beverage service was extremely disappointing.
We sat for approximately 30 minutes without being acknowledged, while watching the server repeatedly provide attentive service to other guests. She took orders from a large family, brought them champagne, returned later to pour their champagne, took orders from guests actually sitting in the pool, delivered their drinks, and assisted other guests -- all while we continued sitting there without service.
When she finally approached us, she offered water. I asked for a menu, and instead of simply providing one, she told me she would "take orders over there." I had to clarify that I was asking specifically for a menu. Even getting the menu became another lengthy wait.
Eventually, I contacted the hotel through the text messaging service they had initiated after check-in and asked to speak with a manager. I explained what was happening, and they offered to take our drink order over the phone and have it brought to the pool. I appreciated the attempt to help, but I had to ask: Am I supposed to call the hotel every time we want another drink while sitting at the pool?
To make matters worse, after we raised the concern, the server returned and became confrontational with my husband, which resulted in him going to the front desk to speak directly with management.
This was not simply a matter of slow service. Had everyone been waiting because they were understaffed, I would have understood. The problem was watching other guests being proactively approached, served, and repeatedly checked on while my husband and I were essentially ignored.
When you choose a luxury hotel like the InterContinental, you expect a certain level of hospitality and service for the price you are paying. We certainly did not expect to have to contact management just to receive basic poolside service.
The property itself is beautiful, and I wish I could leave a review focused on that. Unfortunately, a beautiful hotel cannot make up for an experience that leaves guests feeling unwelcome and overlooked.
I was also surprised that I never received the normal post-stay survey that I typically receive after hotel stays. Since we had already raised a concern while on property, I wanted to make sure our experience was documented somewhere, which is why I am sharing it publicly.
This weekend meant a great deal to us. My husband spends his days caring for his mother while she battles stage IV cancer, and this was supposed to be a brief opportunity for him to relax and enjoy his birthday. Instead, an afternoon we were genuinely looking forward to became the most disappointing part of our stay.
Unfortunately, based on our experience, I cannot recommend the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta. At this level of hotel, every guest should feel welcomed, acknowledged, and valued. We did not. read more