Well dear viewers, it is with sad regret that I have to write to you about my experience with Best Western at Newark airport in March 2012.
The kids & I had a 15 hour lay over in Newark before we embarked on our journey to Cabo, San Lucas Mexico. I researched which hotels were the closest to the airport so we wouldn't have a traffic problem getting back to the airport to catch our flight to Mexico. Best Western Plus Newark West was the one I choose. I had excellent experiences with Best Western during my local travels and felt I was in good hands. I WAS WRONG! I asked for two wake up calls to ensure we would get up in time, get some breakfast then taxi back to the airport for our Mexico flight. I even set the alarm as the third security. I always get over cautious when it comes to getting up in time to catch flights. I travel a lot, so I know the importance of giving yourself sufficient time to get up, get ready and get going.
I happen to get up a lot during the night due to medical issues, diabetes, so it was during one of my bathroom calls, that I noticed the time and realized we were going to be late for the airport and if we missed our flight, we would be in a real delima. I called down to the desk to ensure the time was correct and it was, then I asked what happened to my two wake up calls!!! They didn't know because it was the night guy who would make the calls to us. He was off at 7 am. Oh my gosh, we had to scramble. The kids and I rushed so much and I tried to keep calm because it affects all of us negatively.
We rushed down the elevator and went to the front desk. I told the kids to get some food while I secured a way for us to get to the airport. There were no hotel shuttles at that time of morning. The hotel clerk apologized again and again but it was the night man who neglected to call us. She forgave our dinner from the night before, but that wasn't going to help us if we missed our flight. She called the driver of the hotel van and he was now rushing to get to the Best Western to get us. I kept shaking my head that this was unacceptable. I said this is why I picked this hotel because it was the closet and now we couldn't get to the airport until the van could get here. It was about 1/2 hour or more until the van pulled in and we all got in the van and drove to the Newark Airport. We had some traffic to fight, but finally we made it. What we were not able to do, was to check in the Lost and Found to see if they found Teddy. He was Rialey's little teddy that we lost when we returned from Barcelona Dec 2010. He might have been there but there was no time to check in. We rushed to get to the gate in time to board the flight.
We couldn't relax until we actually got on the flight. The flight attendants were not the friendliest and I was glad to get off this United flight. I think those women need to learn how to help people instead of making us feel like we were a burden.
The morning clerk at the Best Western gave me the hotel's card so I can write a complaint and I will but I feel informing you of the possibility that your stay at this hotel could result in a missed flight. So take care and be careful of your wake up call, to be sure you get woken!! Don't be stuck in a city you didn't expect to get stuck in. One lesson for my travels.
The kids & I had a 15 hour lay over in Newark before we embarked on our journey to Cabo, San Lucas Mexico. I researched which hotels were the closest to the airport so we wouldn't have a traffic problem getting back to the airport to catch our flight to Mexico. Best Western Plus Newark West was the one I choose. I had excellent experiences with Best Western during my local travels and felt I was in good hands. I WAS WRONG! I asked for two wake up calls to ensure we would get up in time, get some breakfast then taxi back to the airport for our Mexico flight. I even set the alarm as the third security. I always get over cautious when it comes to getting up in time to catch flights. I travel a lot, so I know the importance of giving yourself sufficient time to get up, get ready and get going.
I happen to get up a lot during the night due to medical issues, diabetes, so it was during one of my bathroom calls, that I noticed the time and realized we were going to be late for the airport and if we missed our flight, we would be in a real delima. I called down to the desk to ensure the time was correct and it was, then I asked what happened to my two wake up calls!!! They didn't know because it was the night guy who would make the calls to us. He was off at 7 am. Oh my gosh, we had to scramble. The kids and I rushed so much and I tried to keep calm because it affects all of us negatively.
We rushed down the elevator and went to the front desk. I told the kids to get some food while I secured a way for us to get to the airport. There were no hotel shuttles at that time of morning. The hotel clerk apologized again and again but it was the night man who neglected to call us. She forgave our dinner from the night before, but that wasn't going to help us if we missed our flight. She called the driver of the hotel van and he was now rushing to get to the Best Western to get us. I kept shaking my head that this was unacceptable. I said this is why I picked this hotel because it was the closet and now we couldn't get to the airport until the van could get here. It was about 1/2 hour or more until the van pulled in and we all got in the van and drove to the Newark Airport. We had some traffic to fight, but finally we made it. What we were not able to do, was to check in the Lost and Found to see if they found Teddy. He was Rialey's little teddy that we lost when we returned from Barcelona Dec 2010. He might have been there but there was no time to check in. We rushed to get to the gate in time to board the flight.
We couldn't relax until we actually got on the flight. The flight attendants were not the friendliest and I was glad to get off this United flight. I think those women need to learn how to help people instead of making us feel like we were a burden.
The morning clerk at the Best Western gave me the hotel's card so I can write a complaint and I will but I feel informing you of the possibility that your stay at this hotel could result in a missed flight. So take care and be careful of your wake up call, to be sure you get woken!! Don't be stuck in a city you didn't expect to get stuck in. One lesson for my travels.
I've read several of your posts and it sure sounds to me that a vacation was needed. Unfortunately a harried start really adds to the stress. I hate that feeling you described!! Thank heavens you needed a bathroom break.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do wish you much better health over the coming months. It seems that you've had more than your fair share of issues. Getting older is tough when the body doesn't do what you want it to.
Thank you so much for your comments. It was harried and with two kids in tow, I had to make it work to get to Cabo. So much has gone wrong with my body since breast cancer, but I have to thank God I'm still here and that's why life and travel mean so much. If I wait, I'll never get there.
ReplyDeleteI like to hear comments, so please keep it up. It helps me to do better on my posts.
Thanks
Debbie
People who read and write reviews - please be responsible! You do not realize the distress you can cause. That night porter may well have been fired. The AIM of negative reviews is to warn people if the place you stayed really was bad, not little irritations like the one you describe here. We all have experiences like this, one way or another. We have to cope. After all, they sorted it as quickly as they could and (if I understand correctly) they waived the cost of the dinner. They therefore did all they could to set things right, and who can ask for more ?
ReplyDeleteSomewhere in the love affair we are having with our own voices over the internet, the AIM of reviews has got lost. I for one am mighty tired of hearing about little niggles and want to read realistic reports that warn me if the place was really BAD (eg rats running around, a dangerous dog in the grounds, very rude staff)or encourage me if the place was really good. I am not interested, and nor should you be,in personal irritations like this.
I wanted to reply that while the person may have been fired (I doubt it very much), the stress this caused me was critical. I am a survivor of breast cancer and I have all the various fall out from Chemo. My health is not good and I had two kids with me, one with severe ADHD & ODD and you just can't take him out with out his meds in him for about an hour. That's why I planned the time to wake up. I also set the alarm which didn't go off.
ReplyDeleteI felt this blog was necessary because it should warn people who check into hotels to make the necessary arrangements to ensure they are woken up in time. IF we had missed that plane to Mexico, I had no idea what we would have done. The didn't offer to give me a no charge for the meal until the van was still so late, that we almost called a cab. I was under extreme stress including crying and worrying what will happen. We also lost the opportunity to go to the Lost and Found to see if they found little Teddy, the teddy little Rialey left on the plane. We never got that chance, so yes I complained. I would want to know if people didn't receive their wake up calls. I don't write about little niggles, I write about fact. This is the facts. Best Western is used by me on many of my travels and I enjoy their hotels, but this was a horrible experience for us and I will never go back there and chance it again. Thanks for your comment, I do appreciate hearing from you. It is good to hear another side of what I post.