Alexander H.
Yelp
A dirty hotel with disinterested staff
TL;DR: This is the worst customer service I have ever received at a hotel in America, it is noisy and it is dirty everywhere. They promised a refund and then changed their mind later (I had three incomplete or dirty rooms and the manager agreed this was unacceptable and offered a refund then changed her mind when she had not issued the refund weeks later). Avoid it completely.
After a 4 hour drive I was tired and looking forward to what bills itself as a four star hotel in the centre of Birmingham.
The Indigo promises luxury and a convenient location (which it is). Things didn't get off to a good start when I pulled up outside the valet and he remained stoically behind his podium, deliberately showing disinterest as he watched us unload our bags onto the sidewalk, only deigning to bless his with his presence once this was finished. "You want valet?" He mumbled after he shuffled over to me then reluctantly handed me a ticket, leaving me to open the door to the hotel and shuffle past with my bags as he watched us.
The reception staff was friendly enough, though oddly dressed in blue medical scrubs and more interested in the headphone he had plunged into his ear - he couldn't accommodate my request for a tub but that's OK. Luck of the draw sometimes.. Room 506, and I was looking forward to resting but felt surprised when I approached the door to find it ajar - blocking the entryway was a large wooden crate, presumably a replacement for the missing shower in the bathroom. We went back downstairs and asked about the room being under construction - "OK" said the clerk, as if he knew this already and couldn't understand why it may be a problem for me to have bare motor and scrap tiling strewing the shower area.
Reassigned to room 406, we entered to find it filthy - bits of what looked like kitty litter across the floor and something that looked like wood chipping. Phoning reception, it was answered by a friendly lady who understood immediately "you've, checked in and your room is dirty" - "yes!" I replied enthusiastically, delighted that someone had so quickly grasped the issue and would now take command to resolve it.
"Unfortunately the cleaners leave at five", she states before pausing.. when I ask what will be done about the dirty room and say that I've not had a good experience so far, she says she'll see what can be done and promises to call me back. I felt happy that a resolution was imminent.....
15 minutes pass and it sinks in that I've been ghosted by the lady who I thought had such promise and understood me so well. I phone the operator again and am put through to Mr Scrubs at the front desk, to whom I explain the issue of the filthy room and diesel-engine sounding air conditioner. "I can't really move you to another room man" falls out of his mouth, he clearly seems to feel I'm being unreasonable about not wanting a kitty litter and wood chip strewn floor, with mystery brown stains behind the nightstand..
When I say "I'd like a refund", a miracle occurs and another room (306, I can't help I'm progressing down the inferno) happens to become available. I trudge to the front desk and explain I understand that this isn't his fault but that it's been a terrible experience with this hotel so far. He smiles and hands me new keys. No apology, no offer of compensation. I can't help but feel he could have done more.
The new room - two floors down.. still for some reason has a diesel powered air conditioner (I packed ear plugs), the bathroom vanity doesn't drain properly and one of the walls is decorated with snot (see pictures) but this time I'm tired and need to sleep.
I complained to the manager in the morning and was promised a refund for the poor experience. This was on the 17th April and the refund has still not been processed. Expedia talked with the hotel on the 17th who confirmed that the refund would be forthcoming. It has not been and when enquiring on the status of it today (6th May) I've been told that the hotel now has no record of me being moved and that there will be no refund.
Out of politeness and an initial feeling that my concerns had been addressed, I held off posting this review. I had a terrible experience at this hotel and now that they are calling me dishonest I am deeply disappointed. I do not recommend that anyone stays in this dishonest establishment.