Gary “Neil” Jansson
Google
Railroad Pass Hotel Ramada by Wyndham
Headline: WARNING: Hidden Fees and False \text{\$250} Smoking Charge! Do NOT Stay Here!
Overall Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 Stars)
The Good (Room & Value):
I booked this hotel because it was one of the cheapest options available (around \text{\$100} for the night). I must be fair: the room was extremely clean, and housekeeping deserves a \text{5-star} rating in that department.
The Major Issues (Transparency and Service):
My stay was ruined by the non-transparent policies and punitive actions by the management.
Undisclosed \text{\$100} Deposit: Upon check-in, I was blind-sided by a mandatory \text{\$100} deposit that was NOT disclosed or mentioned anywhere on the booking website. Since I had already paid for the room, I had no choice but to pay, which was highly upsetting.
False \text{\$250} Smoking Fee: After my departure, the hotel charged an unauthorized \text{\$250} smoking penalty to my card. They claimed cleaning staff found debris and assumed I had been smoking in the room. I was NOT smoking in the room. While I acknowledge marijuana is legal in this state, I was strictly rolling cigarettes for off-site use, and the staff wrongfully assumed smoking occurred and levied this enormous, unfair fine.
Severe Financial Impact: This unjust \text{\$250} charge put my account in the hole and, as a direct result, I was unable to secure necessary lodging for the next night. When I attempted to discuss this with management, they refused to speak about a refund, stating they were not responsible.
Conclusion:
While the room itself was clean, the combination of undisclosed charges and an immediate, non-negotiable \text{\$250} fine based on a false assumption makes this hotel a major risk. I strongly advise travelers to avoid this property unless you are prepared for unexpected fees and poor customer service that could cause serious financial hardship.