Worst Hotel Experience - Misleading Photos & Unprofessional Management…read more
We recently stayed at TRYP by Wyndham in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and it was without a doubt the worst hotel experience we've ever had. We had booked this stay to celebrate a special occasion--our anniversary--and were extremely disappointed from the moment we arrived.
To be clear, this review is not a reflection of the front desk reception staff, who were courteous and doing their job. However, the property itself was nothing like the photos advertised on Expedia. The exterior of the hotel was run down and immediately gave off an unwelcoming, neglected impression. Despite our initial concerns, we tried to keep an open mind and proceeded to park our rental car and check in.
The experience quickly went downhill from there.
As soon as we stepped into the elevator, it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority. The floors were dirty, the walls had visible smudges, and it was obvious the area had not been properly cleaned or maintained. We hoped things would improve once we got to our room--but it only got worse.
The hallway leading to our room had a strong, unpleasant odor--like mildew or damp laundry left out for too long. When we entered our room, we were absolutely appalled. The shower was filthy, with so much buildup on the glass door that you could barely see through it. The tiles were broken, the caulking was cracked and discolored, and there was an accumulation of grime in the corners that made it clear the bathroom hadn't been properly cleaned in years.
We were in the room for less than two minutes before deciding we could not stay there. We immediately returned to the front desk to ask for a refund, completely disgusted by the conditions.
That's when things took an even worse turn. We were told a manager named Juan would assist us. Unfortunately, Juan was completely unhelpful and unprofessional. He brought us to see an "upgraded" room with an ocean view, which was just as bad--scratched-up mini fridge, dirty nightstand with old drink residue, and no real improvement in cleanliness or quality.
When we told him we still weren't comfortable and offered to pay for one night if they released the rest of the reservation, Juan became difficult and dismissive. He refused to let us speak to a manager named Griselda, despite multiple requests. He insisted he was the only one in charge and claimed the reservation couldn't be refunded because of Expedia's policies--even though Expedia told us it was refundable.
We were only able to resolve the issue after offering Juan $100 in cash--at which point he finally agreed to release the reservation and process the refund. Ironically, we witnessed him smoking cigarettes while on duty, which tells you everything you need to know about the level of professionalism at this property.
We left and walked one minute down the street to Royal Sonesta, which was a true 5-star experience and exactly the kind of place that matched our expectations for a special celebration.
TRYP by Wyndham San Juan is a complete misrepresentation of what is advertised online. It is dirty, outdated, and poorly managed. Juan, in particular, has no business working in hospitality--his behavior was sketchy at best, and I will be disputing the charge with my bank, as I have video proof of him confirming the refund.
Avoid this place at all costs. Spend your money somewhere you'll be treated with respect and provided with a clean, safe place to stay.
