I didn't want to write this review, I was trying to resolve it at the property and I haven't been able to get a resolution.
This is my 2nd time staying at this property.
The first time was in late October. I thought that the price is good, the food is delicious & flavorful and the rooms has character so the hotel doesn't feel sterile and boring.
So I booked a stay for a business trip in December but then I had to switch the trip to November because of a schedule change.
So, I checked in on Sunday afternoon around 1:30pm, I just flew in from Denver.
Derrick checked me into the hotel. He was very helpful in choosing the room because I felt like my room in October (512) was kinda depressing. So Derrick put me in a different wing. It was more sunny.
Around 2pm, I went downstairs to the restaurant so I can get a yummy dish that I got a few other times. A vegan Thai curry squash meal with rice. Delicious.
The restaurant tables were taken or there were velvet "reserved" signed on the tables.
So I went to the bar since I was by myself.
I sat in the middle of the bar. There weren't many people there.
There was a friendly bartender who was new. He was there for 4 days. He said that he was going to check to see if there are newspapers but he never found any or got back to me.
The next shift bartender came in. She seemed very annoyed and overwhelmed. The bar started to fill up with mostly cis men.
Around 3pm, I got the check.
I asked for a receipt version that I could charge the room on.
The bartender walked back to the register. And yelled back at me (about 3 feet away), "What's your room number? "
I said, "I don't feel safe or comfortable giving my room number"
And then she said "it's the policy."
And I said "I've stayed here before. I have ordered the same meal. And another night I have entertained people here in the lobby. I've never had this experience."
She got more annoyed and insisted
I said, "this bar is full of men, I have never shared my room number like this. It's not safe."
She was getting more irritated.
Finally, I got so upset that I just blurted my room #.
And then the bartender said "WHATS YOUR LAST NAME?"
And then I was so exasperated. I was like, "seriously?"
I gave her a $10 tip on $28.
I marched right up to the front desk. I started speaking with Derrick. Derrick was so graceful and he was handling it well. I think that he was probably going to change my room.
And then a tall white guy interjected. He was wearing like a green German army coat, his name is Sam. He said that he is the manager and he's in charge. I was so upset. He said that he could bring me to the restaurant manager. I didn't want to continue to deal with it. I just wanted a resolution so I could move on.He continued to try to explain the policy. Finally I said, "PLEASE STOP MANSPLAINING..." and "you should get some unconscious bias training," and "you're escalating the situation rather then diffusing." "I'm a person of color. I'm 42. I travel frequently for work. I've never had this experience." I finally said, "I am just going to check out. I don't feel comfortable.
And Sam said, "FINE CHECK OUT"
And then, I said, "I'm going to have to check with the third party booking place because I used my work credit card. I need to make sure that I get it refunded, from the 3rd party."
Sam was getting more aggressive and he was like, "CHECK OUT. And get your stuff out of the room otherwise, we will have to continue to charge you."
And he was getting more agitated.
I went back to the room.
I called the St Regis and booked a room to check into instead.
As I was checking out, a woman manager Sanja met with me. She was very kind, empathetic and diffusing. She assured me that the property would reimburse the 3rd party. She tried to encourage me to stay, but I get like such a fool and a chump. I needed to leave.
Anyway, I checked into St Regis.
Sam and that bartender should go to St Regis and learn how to deal with guests. For discreetness, safety, empathy, diffusing, professionalism and kindness. read more