I went out of my way to stay at this Marriott after attending the Giants opener in San Francisco, specifically to get out of the city and into what I've always considered a great area like Walnut Creek. I also chose this property because I consistently prioritize Marriott hotels. After this experience, that will absolutely change.
For context, I am a Platinum Elite member, which requires over 50 nights per year. I've spent tens of thousands of dollars with Marriott in just the past year alone. I'm not mentioning this for special treatment. 'm pointing it out because if this is how loyal, high-frequency customers are treated, I can only imagine how others are treated.
We arrived around 9:30 PM after a long day. Before arrival, the hotel even called to confirm we were coming, and I told them we were about five minutes away. When we pulled in, there was no clear direction initially, so we proceeded toward the parking garage. That's when a valet worker stopped us and told us it was valet-only parking and that he needed us to pull slightly to the right to unload. He explicitly told us it was "safe" to do so.
Trusting his instructions, while tired, in the dark, and in an unfamiliar place, I followed them. Unfortunately, that guidance was completely wrong. When I opened the trunk of my Tesla Model Y, it hit the overhead structure and caused significant damage.
When I questioned the valet about why he directed me there if it wasn't safe, I got a blank stare.
I immediately asked for a manager and spoke with the Manager on Duty, who told me the Director of Operations, Monalisa Tili, would be in the next morning. He also casually mentioned that a very similar incident had happened less than two weeks prior. That alone raises a serious question: why are guests still being directed to unload in a known hazardous area?
The next morning, I left early but requested a call from Monalisa Tili. I never received one. Instead, I got a call later from the valet company manager, who explained they are a separate entity and would conduct their own "independent investigation." He even indicated he felt it would likely go in my favor.
That raised immediate concerns. The same company responsible for the damage investigating itself is not a fair or credible process. It's like letting a player call their own fouls in a game.
To address this, I contacted the hotel again and spoke with the General Manager, Louis Hazlet. I also confirmed that this property is owned/operated under Windsor Hospitality, a hotel ownership group. I explained my concerns about the lack of impartiality in the investigation. Louis Hazlet acknowledged my concerns, said he wanted to "do right," and told me he would personally investigate, review the situation, and follow up within a couple of days.
That was over two weeks ago.
I never received a callback. No follow-up. No accountability.
At the end of the day, I was directed by hotel staff into a valet-only area, told it was safe to unload, and suffered damage as a direct result of that instruction. Despite the hotel apparently already being aware of the exact hazard.
What's most disappointing isn't just the incident itself. It's the complete lack of ownership afterward. No urgency, no communication, and no effort to make things right.
I travel frequently and have often considered deepening my relationship with the Marriott brand. After this experience, that conversation is over.
If this is how loyal customers are treated, I have no confidence in continuing to spend my time or money here.
This property is a poor representation of the Marriott brand.
This review is not the end of this. Even though, at this point, the time I've spent plus the damages would likely still leave me at a loss, even with compensation. I fully plan to escalate this matter with Marriott Corporate! read more