Complaint Review: Howard Johnson Inn - Arcata California

i checked out of the Motel 6 across the street because they misled me a about internet access. so, i checked into the Arcata Howard Johnson Inn. the motel itself is kept very tidy and clean. i was pleased with that.

the manager/owner is the problem. i have never been treated so rudely by any hotel/motel employee. but an owner being rude? i was very suprised. from the moment i checked in this lady has came across like she's doing ME a favor by admitting me into her motel. constant distburance. very untrusting. suspicious. i have been a fine guest and all i have received is rudeness.

then this morning i was informed that i can't stay another day. and the lady refuses to give a reason (since there is none to give). i never like to pull the race card, but i actually believe that this rude treatment may stem from some discrimination. i can't think of any other reasons why i'd be treated like a total criminal. this very rude lady needs to realize that the guest are why she's in business. we don't need to be greatful that she's allowing us to pay her money to stay at Howard Johnson.

this has been a horrible experience. i do not recommend anyone stay at this location. even the front desk employee informed me that this rudeness is a regular occurence. and she further told me not to be rude back to the owner because she's seen the owner keep guest $100 deposit just because she didn't like their attitude. i know this practice is very unethical, if not downright illegal. someone at corporate for Howard Johnson needs to pull this owner aside and explain to her to chill out.

**this part written after checkout***

sure enough, when i got down to the hotel clerk to check out, the manager lady come up to the desk and instructed the clerk to charge me $100 deposit for supposedly smoking in the room. this is luducris considering i don't even smoke. my mother died of lung cancer in 1989 when i was young so i am very opposed to the idea of smoking at all. i begin yelling at the lady until her husband came out and attempted to calm the situation. he walked up to the room with me. we fully inspected it. concluded that i did not smoke and returned my deposit. the lady yelled at him for this. and i explained to the husband about the clerk reporting to me in hushed tones about the lady taking guest deposit if she didn't like their attitude. when i confronted the hotel clerk of this with the husband and wife there, she denied ever saying it and looked at me harshly. it is so amazing that this kind of business practice is allowed to exist at a corporate chain. when i called customer service i was told that all Howard Johnson's are independently owned and can create their own rules and run the location any way they want. what this tells me is that the owners of the particular location can do whatever they want, including being rude and/or downright stealing guest deposit money... and do all this under the name of Howard Johnson Inns... and there's nothing that can be done? if this is the case... do yourself a favor and do not stay in ANY Howard Johnson Inns.

Varian

Seattle, Washington
U.S.A.