Today, The Radisson Austin-Town Lake screwed over tons of guests that are traveling in for SxSW 2009. If you were one of us, you probably received an email that looked like this:
From: Steve Huey <shuey@radissonaustin.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 20, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Subject: FW: SXSW Guest Room ChangeThe hotel has encountered a change in schedule for a guest room renovation that has been underway.
Due to this change the hotel will relocate your (1) reservation to the Doubletree North Hotel.We have arranged for a special rate and the hotel has prepared for your arrival, understanding the unfortunate circumstance involved.
Please accept our apology and allow us to make this transition as comfortable as possible for you and your guests.
We will forward your reservation information to the Doubletree on your behalf.The hotel information:
DoubleTree Hotel Austin North
6505 IH-35 North
Austin, TX 78752
512-454-3737
Wow, thanks for forwarding the reservations on our behalf, Radisson! Too bad The DoubleTree is 10 miles away from downtown during a week when it’s IMPOSSIBLE to catch or even call a cab.‚ I had to stay outside of the city in ’07 and ended up bribing hotel staff coming off the night shift to take me downtown in the morning. Four dudes in the back of a pickup truck on the interstate just ain’t that cool when you’re approaching 30 years of age.
I’m not sure what dumbass franchise owner decided to renovate rooms during Austin’s busiest week of the year, but he should be smacked. He should be kicked in the crotch for finally telling guests with less than 30 days until the festival begins. The rooms at the DoubleTree were offered at a “discounted rate,” but after taxi expenses it would end up being more expensive that the Radisson rates. Not to mention that after getting downtown, we’d be stuck all day and night with no opportunity to shower, change clothes or drop a number 2.
I tried calling and corresponding by email with Steve Huey to find some other reasonable option – a different hotel, a free stay at the DoubleTree…anything. After all, 12 of us stayed at the Radisson last year and I had my bachelor party in their hotel a couple years back and we had a block of rooms for about 20. Outside of walking away with some little shampoo bottles, I feel like I’ve been a pretty good customer. I didn’t get a call back, but I got half-assed responses like “We do not have any rooms avail other than those we can offer at the Doubletree.”
At least extend me the courtesy of spelling out the word “available.” I’ll extend you the courtesy of never staying at your hotel again.
{ 12 comments }
