On the morning of my stay at 8:57 AM, I called the front desk to request that the body wash be refilled and fresh towels be delivered to my room. I left the hotel for the day, as I am in the middle of a home renovation and had a very busy schedule. I returned around 10:00 PM with my 4-year-old and two grandchildren, one of whom was asleep. I simply wanted to shower and rest after a long day.
To my disappointment, the body wash had not been refilled. While I could reuse the towels, the missing body wash was inconvenient. I attempted to call the front desk from the room phone, but neither phone was working, so I used my cell phone and called at 10:05 PM.
The person who answered (later identified as Julian Williams, who claimed to be the supervisor) immediately came across as disinterested and unhelpful. When I explained that I had requested these items in the morning and no one brought them, he curtly replied: "There isn't anything I can do. If you want them, you can come get them." This was a very strange and unprofessional response.
When I questioned his tone and asked to speak with a supervisor, he said he was the supervisor. I asked for his name and that of his manager, but he mumbled and evaded the question. Eventually, the conversation escalated because of his dismissive attitude, and I told him I found his behavior highly unprofessional. At that point, he said "bye, bitch" and hung up on me.
I called back multiple times. Each time, he hung up on me or responded with more vulgarities, even saying "you are a bitch" on my third call.
I immediately contacted Sonesta's customer service line, and the representative transferred me back to the hotel--only to have Julian answer again. I told him I was calling to file a complaint about how he conducted himself. He sarcastically replied, "Good luck with that," and added, "You're not going to get me fired. I'm going to get you thrown out of here."
Shortly afterward, security arrived at my door and told me I had to leave the property. I went to the office and asked for a refund due to the way I was treated. Julian refused. A woman named Shawna (or Sandra?), who identified herself as the General Manager, was on speakerphone via Julian's cellphone. I never had the chance to speak to her directly. She sided with Julian without hearing my side and instructed him to evict us without a refund.
I want to emphasize: The issue was not about towels or body wash. It was the blatant disrespect, lack of professionalism, vulgar language, and refusal to de-escalate the situation that made this entire experience unacceptable. I was humiliated in front of my young children and forced to leave a hotel at nearly midnight after being verbally harassed by a staff member claiming to be a supervisor.
I have stayed at your properties before and previously had a good impression--particularly due to the professionalism of the woman who checked me in. However, this incident has seriously damaged my trust in your brand. Julian Williams should not be representing your company in any leadership or guest-facing role. read more