Fogen Bogen
Google
**Absolutely Horrible Experience – Rude and Unprofessional Staff**
I had one of the worst customer service experiences of my life at the Canopy by Hilton Washington DC Bethesda North on July 12th. I was treated terribly by the front desk associate named KAY, a heavy set Spanish lady with bad makeup, and I am still stunned at the level of rudeness and lack of basic empathy she showed.
My boyfriend and I were checking in for a birthday celebration I had planned, and I realized I had forgotten my physical ID. I completely understand that it’s a requirement for check-in, and I wasn’t trying to skirt policy—but Kay’s attitude was dismissive and completely unprofessional from the start. When I asked if I could use a photo of my ID (which has worked at other Hilton properties before), she snapped, *“I don’t know what that’s going to do for you because I need the physical card.”* No effort to be kind or understanding, just condescension.
We drove an hour round trip to retrieve my ID. When we returned—now past 10pm—she suddenly claimed we needed the exact credit card used to book the reservation, a policy I’ve **never** encountered before despite staying at many Hilton locations. Again, instead of offering a polite explanation or showing an ounce of compassion, she remained cold and unhelpful.
We expressed our frustration—understandably—and tried to explain how difficult and disappointing the situation was. Instead of listening or trying to help, Kay escalated things by accusing us of being “combative” and **cancelled our reservation on the spot.** We were not yelling, threatening, or being aggressive—we were simply frustrated customers trying to check into a room we had paid for, after jumping through every hoop we were told to.
She made no effort to apologize for the inconvenience, no attempt to find a solution—just cold indifference. It felt like she was waiting for an excuse to cancel our reservation. Thankfully, we were able to find another hotel last minute, but it nearly ruined what was supposed to be a special night.
In a high-stress situation like that, **a little understanding, basic courtesy, and professionalism go a long way.** Unfortunately, Kay demonstrated none of those qualities.
I would never recommend this location based on that experience alone. If Hilton values its reputation, they need to seriously reevaluate the staff they have representing them at the front desk.