Terrible experience during the 2021 cold snap. During my one-night stay there were frequent periods…read morewithout water or electricity at this hotel.
At check-in the hotel itself was a tomb with no heat in the lobby or hallways. The staff behind the desk was wearing heavy jackets, and the room was ice cold when I arrived, under 40 degrees. I spent many hours under blankets trying to get warm and trying to move the thermostat.
That evening I called the front desk to get bottles of water because there was nothing coming out of the sink and was told I would be CHARGED for it, before they said they "would send up one bottle." This was baffling when not having water in the bathroom wasn't anything I had done but apparently was expected to pay for. I was also told at check-in that there was water, just not hot water YET ("coming in one hour, don't worry"), but that was not true.
During the 6 or so electricity outages after dark I didn't hear from anyone asking if I was okay or providing an update and it became so cold I thought I could freeze to death if I fell asleep. During these times the phone didn't work and my room was on the top floor so it would have been risky and was too cold to leave.
I suggest the staff be trained in service protocol when things go wrong. I felt unsafe while I was there and normal, small things could have been done to ensure I was okay. I selected this hotel for better standards and care for guests but was let way down.
Here are the steps I took, a "hack," to stay warm in an apocalyptic hotel sans water or electricity:
1. To prevent drafts and conserve heat, close door to bathroom. Put towel in gap under entry door and bathroom door. Firmly close drapes.
2. Use remaining bath towels and extra pillows and blankets from second bed to create a "heat nest."
Arrange them in your bed in the following order: blankets, towels laid lengthwise over the sleeping position, pillows on top.
3. If feet are still cold, heat bottled water in the room coffee maker, soak in a hand towel and wrap feet tightly for 3 minutes. This can be repeated using the same water if needing to conserve.
4. If there is additional water, make tea or coffee to sip while you contemplate your life choices and pray for the morning to come.