On the morning of May 23rd, 2016 - I booked a reservation with Candlewood Suites / South / Spfd MO as I'd just gotten into town, driving (as usual) with my pup as Candlewood Suites and (some IHG properties) are pet friendly. For the record, this property IS pet friendly. I arrived at the door and was not permitted in - I was told there was 'no vacancy' knowing I was already booked and the parking lot was desolate for a multi-hundred room hotel. After a call back to IHG customer service, I was let in.
The night staff (2, younger females: a blonde and a brunette) were immediately dismissive; I took that in stride and was still patient. As I finally got my room key, one of the two; the brunette as I recall, made a demeaning statement about me calling customer service 'behind her back.' My retort was simple: "I am a paying customer, I deserve respect how any patron should, and in fact; my family owned the land (at one point) this hotel sits on today." I never, ONCE, raised my voice or furthered the conflict.
The police knocked on my hotel room door 10 minutes later just as I had unwound and unpacked a bevy of my belongings. None other than the manager, 'Ms.' [redacted] - I had to pack up and go. I was profiled and treated like trash albeit sustaining a professional, reasonable demeanor and tone throughout.
She then uttered something about my 'appearance' (sure, I have a few more tattoos certainly) to the police officers after looking at me in complete disgustshe was far more unkempt than me, period. I absolutely contend; after all of this; even getting kicked out - there was ABSOLUTELY no negative/escalating/loud/mean/combative ANYTHING from my end...even after the hotel had me removed. Also, I was even given a sobriety check (!!!) from the officers which of course, I passed.
Beforehand, in the haste and pressure from 'Ms. [redacted] I was pressured to expedite my 'departure' from Candlewood Suites. In turn, some belongings were left behind - things more important than cash (a substantial amount of cash, my wallet, and etc): jewelry that has been in my family for over 100 years.
I returned the next day with my mother hoping this would help diffuse the situation - I let her enter first and once again; I was calm, polite, and even apologetic although I most certainly had nothing to apologize for. Who was working the desk in the same outfit 6 hours prior? [redacted] - she called the police again even after I immediately left - of course my 'belongings' 'weren't found' as well.
My credit card was charged and never refunded; I don't care about that. There was enough cash 'lost' to pay for a week, also; I'm not worried. I was refused the opportunity to look for some priceless (to me) century-plus-old family heirlooms and that does indeed sadden me to no end, and that is terribly humiliating as my mother was the one that passed [redacted] onto me.
My experience at Candlewood Suites South in Springfield, MO. was humiliating as well; and reminding...
I am reminded why I left this town permanently; because of the biases, piety, and regressive ways of people like [redacted] and the staff that morning.
On the morning of May 23rd, 2016 - I booked a reservation with Candlewood Suites / South / Spfd MO as I'd just gotten into town, driving (as usual) with my pup as Candlewood Suites and (some IHG properties) are pet friendly. For the record, this property IS pet friendly. I arrived at the door and was not permitted in - I was told there was 'no vacancy' knowing I was already booked and the parking lot was desolate for a multi-hundred room hotel. After a call back to IHG customer service, I was let in.
The night staff (2, younger females: a blonde and a brunette) were immediately dismissive; I took that in stride and was still patient. As I finally got my room key, one of the two; the brunette as I recall, made a demeaning statement about me calling customer service 'behind her back.' My retort was simple: "I am a paying customer, I deserve respect how any patron should, and in fact; my family owned the land (at one point) this hotel sits on today." I never, ONCE, raised my voice or furthered the conflict.
The police knocked on my hotel room door 10 minutes later just as I had unwound and unpacked a bevy of my belongings. None other than the manager, 'Ms.' [redacted] - I had to pack up and go. I was profiled and treated like trash albeit sustaining a professional, reasonable demeanor and tone throughout.
She then uttered something about my 'appearance' (sure, I have a few more tattoos certainly) to the police officers after looking at me in complete disgustshe was far more unkempt than me, period. I absolutely contend; after all of this; even getting kicked out - there was ABSOLUTELY no negative/escalating/loud/mean/combative ANYTHING from my end...even after the hotel had me removed. Also, I was even given a sobriety check (!!!) from the officers which of course, I passed.
Beforehand, in the haste and pressure from 'Ms. [redacted] I was pressured to expedite my 'departure' from Candlewood Suites. In turn, some belongings were left behind - things more important than cash (a substantial amount of cash, my wallet, and etc): jewelry that has been in my family for over 100 years.
I returned the next day with my mother hoping this would help diffuse the situation - I let her enter first and once again; I was calm, polite, and even apologetic although I most certainly had nothing to apologize for. Who was working the desk in the same outfit 6 hours prior? [redacted] - she called the police again even after I immediately left - of course my 'belongings' 'weren't found' as well.
My credit card was charged and never refunded; I don't care about that. There was enough cash 'lost' to pay for a week, also; I'm not worried. I was refused the opportunity to look for some priceless (to me) century-plus-old family heirlooms and that does indeed sadden me to no end, and that is terribly humiliating as my mother was the one that passed [redacted] onto me.
My experience at Candlewood Suites South in Springfield, MO. was humiliating as well; and reminding...
I am reminded why I left this town permanently; because of the biases, piety, and regressive ways of people like [redacted] and the staff that morning.