I recently stayed at the Wyndham Springfield City Center from 11/27/24 - 11/30/24. I've stayed…read morethere previously at Thanksgiving.
Upon check-in at around 430pm, I inquired if we might stay in the same room type as I had stayed previously (which was a complimentary upgrade as a rewards member). My request was accommodated by the manager. He said I would be charged $10/day for parking. I advised that last year there was no mention of parking charges, and asked why was I being charged this year (the hotel and parking garage were nearly empty). He waived the charge, which was appreciated. As it turned out, there was no parking attendant anyway.
I also requested extra pillows, blankets, and a microwave. We unpacked in the room and went to visit family. Upon our return at around 1030pm, we discovered the room temperature was about 65 degrees. The pillows were delivered, but 2 mattress pads were delivered instead of blankets.
I went back to the desk and the same manager was still on duty. I explained the situation and he said he could have maintenance look at it, but it would take some time. We were tired after a long day of travel and visiting, and did NOT want to wait for maintenance. I asked if there might be another room available on the same floor we could sleep in (without moving everything), and hopefully move back to the room in the morning. He only had a room on another floor. I asked if they could check to be sure it had heat. He had maintenance check, who said it was functioning.
I went back to the room and spoke with the maintenance guy in the hallway who said the heat in the room would not be fixed overnight. I went down and told the manager we were changing rooms, and that it was a hassle to repack and move everything in the middle of the night, especially since my traveling companion had mobility challenges. The manager did not offer any assistance in the move whatsoever. I asked if I could get some credit for the inconvenience (I prepaid), and he said he had given me a room upgrade and parking already and instead, offered 2 coupons for COFFEE. I went up and moved everything (including the microwave) myself. By the time we got in bed it was well after midnight.
The next day (Thanksgiving Day) we left around 11am and returned around 10pm. The room was cool (although not as cold as the other room) when we returned. I was not going to go through this all over again. We covered up with the mattress pads and turned the heat all the way up. I decided to let the desk know in the morning. When we left Friday I and asked if the heat in the new room could be fixed while we were gone. They said it would be taken care of. When we returned mid-evening, the room was minimally warmer, but by morning (check out date) it was 67 degrees.
Upon check out, I explained all that had happened, and the desk attendant on duty was very apologetic. I asked if I could get some credit for the multiple inconveniences, and she said because it was prepaid, I could not. I asked if it was possible to get some Wyndham Rewards points instead. She said she would speak with the rewards manager on Monday and call me and let me know.
I asked if we could get coupons for food instead of just coffee and she accommodated me ( she was very helpful and sympathetic). Mind you, there was no restaurant open in the hotel at all (which was an inconvenience in itself); only a Starbucks.
We left with a very bad feeling from the whole experience, ruining what was supposed to be an enjoyable holiday visit, and vowed we would NEVER stay there again.
There was no call on Monday. By Thursday, I decided to call and check the status of receiving Wyndham Rewards points. The same desk attendant answered and when I asked why she had not called, she said she spoken to her manager (the person we dealt with the 1st night) and he told her NOT to do anything for me (not even a courtesy call back?), and the he was not doing anything else for me. I asked if she spoke with the rewards manager, and she said she did not per his instruction. I felt bad for her, because she wanted to do the right thing but could not.
I submitted a complaint on Wyndham's website, especially noting the lack of customer service by the manager, hoping corporate would step in. It turns out the complaints are sent directly to the hotel, and the same manager responded to the complaint. There appears to be no corporate oversight when submitting feedback about specific hotel stays. I even called the corporate office and they said only the property could respond.
Being a seasoned traveler (business and leisure) and formerly in both customer service and service management in travel and other service industries, this low level of customer service at a hotel management level is surprising to me! The upgrade was PRIOR to any of the breakdowns; and is standard practice (upon availability) for all levels of loyalty at the other hotel brands I frequent. Even a goodwill gesture of a night's