Paula P.
Yelp
Verbally Abusive Reception, No Management To Be Found.
I spend 100+ business nights per year in hotels around the world. My stay on 12/21/14 at New Haven Hotel encountered the most verbally abusive reception ever experienced, seemingly with no oversight of management.
Online reservations were smooth, and I requested my usual late checkout (1pm). Upon check in with "Melissa" I verbalized my late check out request, and she rudely said "You cannot make that request until I finish checking you in." She then proceeded with her check in, handed me my key, and assured me I'd have no problem parking because the hotel was half empty.
The next morning I called down to reception at 10am to confirm I had a late check out. Again Melissa was on duty and she confirmed the request. At 12:15pm housekeeping knocked and I reiterated that I had a late check out, that I was showering and would be out by 1pm. The phone began ringing - and ringing - and ringing. I stepped from the shower to answer, and Melissa informed me that I had to be out by 12pm. I told her that no time had been specified, but I would be out by 1pm, had informed housekeeping, and that I was dripping water so needed to hang up the phone. She proceeded to berate me on the phone, saying I had to leave NOW. I reiterated that I was IN THE SHOWER and leaving would be impossible until she let me hang up the phone. She said I would be charged for a half-day stay, as per their "policy".
Just before 1pm I went to the lobby where I met my colleague and proceeded to the front desk to check out. I informed Melissa that no time had been specified, and she said "I told you 12pm." I said "No, you told me you had to complete my check in before you could request the late check out in the system, but you did not stipulate a time. The hotel is half empty, and I understand there may have been a miscommunication but I will not pay an extra half day." I was polite and calm.
And then it all went to heck. Melissa raised her voice, starting talking fast "ghetto talk" (excuse the expression, but that's what it was) and head bobbing indignantly, saying "I TOLD you you had ta be out by 12pm when you checked in and now you gettin' all mad cuz you late."
I calmly said "I'm not mad, it's just a check out, but I'm not paying an extra half day. I'd like to speak to a manager." My colleague approached the desk when he heard her yelling. He asked "What's the problem?" and she said "Your friend is mad." I said "I'm not mad, I asked for a manager." She said "You ARE mad and I AM the manager." I said "so nobody else is here to resolve this?" ...she said no, and I said ok I'll take your name, and she said "Go Ahead" (with more indignant head bobbing).
My colleague informed Melissa that he had done business with the hotel owners and didn't believe that she was withholding their standard of service. She said "I don't care".
In the end, she turned to HIM, my colleague, as we walked out the door and said "I'm not gonna charge her the extra fee."
After all that verbal abuse, no management to report it to, and ruining my pre-Christmas weekend, it was all just a power play. How petty and immature, which is what happens when you leave a 20-something year old to run an entire hotel on her own.
I see others have had similar issues at this establishment. I expect the abuse of power and improper conduct will continue.... And so the hotel will stay at 50% occupancy until the owners figure out what's going on and hire new staff.