D H.
Yelp
I experienced a horrific incident that transpired the general manager, Kristopher Salloway-McLaughlin at The Santa Ynez Inn. I cannot express the absolute shock that I am still reeling from today.
My husband and I checked in to the hotel Monday, January 23, 2023. We've have stayed at this hotel approximately five to six times over the past couple of years. We love the area and it's not too far from Danville where we live, so it makes for a nice little getaway.
While I was getting ready to go out for the day I found some Velcro rollers that I use in my hair were missing. I found it so strange as I'm a creature of habit, very methodical and organized. I used them on the prior morning in our hotel room and as usual I put them back in the travel pouch where I always keep them. It seemed extremely odd to me that I was missing 5-6 of these rollers. I thought maybe I miss placed them without thinking and searched everywhere in the room. I knew at that point they were taken, and my thoughts were, why in the world would someone take used rollers that were put on someone else's head. How disgusting?! And, how disturbing that someone would go in to a zipped pouch and take them. I discussed this with my husband as it felt I was violated, and in all our travels throughout the United States, and abroad this had never happened. My husband advised we needed to bring this up at the front desk as it was our duty to inform your hotel that there was an untrustworthy employee working in your hotel rooms.
I went to the front desk at 1:15 PM met with Magee. I told her I had something to discuss with her that may seem insignificant, but it was a matter of doing the right thing. After I explained what happened, she told me she was so sorry, that she completely understood, and she would look into it right away. Magee asked what color they were, looked up on the internet for some similar so I could identify the look. I have no interest in getting them back, I just believe it is my duty to advise The Santa Ynez Inn that something is going on in your staff that you should be aware of. I then told Magee I didn't want anyone entering our room, and that I just needed towels for the evening, which she immediately got for me. Magee was very kind, compassionate and understanding.
I returned to my room and within five minutes Kristopher Salloway-McLaughlin, the general manager called me in our room. He informed me Magee told him what happened and he could assure me that he knew for a fact that none of his staff would do such a thing. He went on to say how this kind of behavior has not happened in the past, and that this would not happen as he has the confidence and knowledge the staff was not capable of doing this. My jaw dropped as I could not believe what he just said, and the manner in which he spoke to me!
I explained that it was the principal of the event, I don't want anything but to inform him that someone took something out of my room, and that it was very unnerving. He repeatedly went on a rant raising his voice, telling me he knows each and every employee and that, that couldn't possibly happen. I asked him if he thought I would fabricate that someone would take something so insignificant out of by zippered pouch? He then went on to tell me that you have guests that have Louis Vuitton luggage, and that they have never had anything taken, and that he knew nothing could have been taken from my room. (and he knows this after working as your manager after eleven months...how naïve!) I was and am in complete shock in how someone the hotel business had the audacity to talk to a guest this way! I don't know what he is personally going through, but this attitude is unacceptable, particularly in a management position. I have never been spoken to in such a vile way.
He told me he needed a photo of the pouch, which I promptly took and headed to the front desk to provide. Magee was there and as soon as I started to talk to her, Kristopher Salloway-McLaughlin came out of the back and continued his tirade attempting to belittle me at which point I advised him I would be contacting the owner as well as a review on YELP. I have never encountered such an appalling, despicable, unprofessional human being.
I did what was the right, moral thing to do. There was absolutely no gain for me.
On a side note...I had packed in my bags several Gucci & Ferragamo scarves & belts, RL cashmere sweaters, Stuart Weizmann shoes, AG Jeans, etc., so tell me why I would this establishment of some rollers worth maybe 8-10 dollars?
After feeling assaulted by Kristopher Salloway-McLaughlin, my husband and I felt we couldn't stay at your establishment another day and checked out a day early.
********I have contacted the owner, and have received absolutely no response. It appears they have no interest in keeping long time clients, and treating them in a respectful manner either