It's Worse When You Asked For It

[serinde]

I feel like the little kid agitating to try Mom and Dad's (coffee/wine/bitter chocolate). I want to have what the grownups are having, and then I learn that it actually kinda sucks.

Well, that may be unfair. The conference hasn't actually started yet. But so far, things are off to a roaring start.

Checked into hotel, where I learned I had to schlep my shit up hill and down dale to get to the room. Well, that's okay, one of the things I liked about this place is that it's got three pools and fitness room and lord knows what. So I slog to my room (which faces a parking lot, not the gorgeously landscaped interior).

Which has stained carpet, a rusty rickety ironing board, an iron that was actually coming apart (but still turned on! Fire hazard much?), a lamp sans bulb, and a noticeably musty odor. AND THE FREE INTERNET DOES NOT WORK. (I get signal but no DHCP. Calling guest services was, of course, useless and made my eyeballs bleed with rage.)

After serially discovering these things, and not having eaten in too-long, I phoned sweh with minor meltdown, which he fielded with his usual capability. I got a new iron delivered, and ironed my clothes what needed them. I carried my laptop to the lobby (where it works fine), and then had a rather late dinner (mediocre at best; and a mandatory 18% gratuity? excuse me?) and a glass of wine (IT FITS IN MY PER DIEM. SHUT UP), then sat outdoors on a bench in the lovely lagoon area using internets, and then carried my laptop still connected back to my room so it did not have to faff with whatever brokenness is happening on the ghetto side of the complex. And lo! I am in bed and having internets, and I care less about the musty smell.

I need to be at the conference center by 8:30 tomorrow (8 probably better). I am not sure where to get breakfast. I was going to splurge on room service for once in my life, but I will be damned and in hell before I consent to paying $11 PLUS 21% gratuity PLUS $3 "delivery charge" (isn't that what the gratuity is for?!) for a glass of juice, a bowl of Special K, and a bran muffin. Even if Uncle Patterson is picking up the check. (And I bet the coffee would suck.) This would be a good use for a Starbucks, actually: then there would be strong coffee AND virtuous proteinful breakfast sammich. But I haven't seen one. (Also I do not have a car.)

Edit: Also, it would seem that outside-my-window is the favored motorcycle drag strip. Oh, Florida, you so wacky.

Comments

[querldox.livejournal.com]

The thing to do in this situation is to go back to the front desk and say "The room you gave me is unacceptable. Please put me in another room, and I'd like to look at it before I take my luggage there to be sure that it is acceptable".

I'm generally pretty tolerant of odd room placement, but significant stains, odors, lack of wifi, missing bulbs, etc. at a place that has the other amenities you mention (i.e. this ain't a Motel 6 on the Interstate) warrants getting yourself in another room, which they should be willing to do unless completely booked up.

[pir.livejournal.com]

Seconded, (firmly) request a replacement room. That's not cool.

[caelfinn.livejournal.com]

If I'm remembering right you're in Orlando and you don't have a car. Yes?

Anyway, if it is reasonably walkable you could research online for some places to eat. Both Chowhound.com and the Forums at egullet.com are good for this sort of thing. Often people will post things like "Help, I'm in the middle of nowhere at a business conference. Is there any decent food?" And locals will answer with the best options.

Oh, and I agree on trying to get a different hotel room. *You're* the customer, it's their job to make you happy. If it makes you more comfortable to have reason, you can say that the mold (that's what the musty smell is!) is causing you respiratory problems.

[nancaurelia.livejournal.com]

One more vote for what querldox said. If it would be too inconvenient for you to change rooms now, remember it for next time. I think that hotels may more often give bad rooms to women, thinking we won't complain. If you go down to the front desk in person, they will not blow you off as they might on the phone.