Just left this hotel (thank god) and felt compelled to write a review to hopefully help anyone thinking of staying here. The usual rate for this place is anywhere from $30-$50 per night on average. Guess what the rate is on a Cowboy's game night? $175!! After taxes this rate jumps to $202. Thinking, "well we wouldn't have to pay for parking at the stadium and could walk everywhere", we "splurged" on this place at such a high rate. We used the mobile reservation site which had no mention of any additional rates, fees or taxes. This room was prepaid in full a month in advance of the event.
Fast forward to yesterday, the day of the game and our stay here. We show up and arrive at the check in desk. We are told that in addition to our payment of the room, we must pay a $65 parking fee!! Um excuse me, what? Apparently (they state), their site states that parking fees need to paid for event nights and that these are at a discounted rate than official stadium parking. My issues with this: #1. $65 is not a discounted rate. Cowboys official parking lot prices start at $55! #2: NO where on the mobile reservation site did it state that a parking fee would need to be paid. #3 Surely charging about 4x the normal rate would entitle me to park for free right?
I could not argue with management as we had no other place to go at such a last minute. We also could not cancel due to a "no refund" policy. I bit my tongue and paid the $65 for parking bringing my grand total to $267.50 for a run down hotel stay.
We were not the only people who were surprised by this trick. Two people also checking in had not heard of or seen anything on this website about a parking fee. Additionally, one couple's reservation was not even correct even though they had booked months in advance as well.
After handing over my hard budgeted money for parking bs, we headed to the room. I thought to myself "surely for $200 a night they can afford some decent furniture right?" Wrong. Take a look at the pictures for what we found in our room. Dirty carpets (could not photograph due to lighting/camera phone), dirty chairs, dirty mattresses/box springs, work out looking locks on doors, dirty curtains, dirty walls, the list goes on. There were also no outlets easily accessible for plugging in chargers. This was my tipping point.
I warn you, please do not consider staying here, even for one night. Other hotels closer to the ballpark are much nicer and will no charge you for parking! I have filed a complaint with the Days Inn customer service line and will be speaking with my bank to get these charges back. I will complain to BBB and anywhere else I can let my voice be heard. These people are scammers and need to be reported for price gouging.
Two last comments:
The mobile site stated that our room was to include a mini fridge at no cost. Upon check in there is a sign stating that mini fridges are available for $10!
Getting in late from the game, we used the vending machine downstairs as a last resort. Snacks/chips in here were stale as if they had been there for months!
STAY AWAY!
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
3 October 2011
We thank this guest for her business and for taking time to write her review of our Hotel. Her feedback is important to us so that we can continually improve our services and products. We apologize for how this guest feels.
Management has communicated with her by emails. Guest contacted Management after her stay and stated that her only complaint was not being informed of the parking fee. She demanded a refund on the parking fee, and that unless she gets her way she will write a negative review.
We responded that we will do our best to address her issue to build goodwill but we will not bribe her for a better review. Guest made a reservation through the internet and on our website, under Hotel Amenities, it states the following: "FREE PARKING EXCEPT DURING COWBOYS GAMES OR SPECIAL EVENTS HELD AT COWBOYS STADIUM WHEN PARKING FEES WILL BE CHARGED. CALL HOTELS FOR DETAILS."
We also explained to her that there is a parking package where the parking fee will be included for guests staying two or more consecutive nights around dates of Cowboys games or Special events.
We have reviewed guest records and did not find that guest had reported any other issues. Had the guest reported any issues to the front desk and front desk was not able to resolve the issues to guest's satisfaction, hotel staff would have helped guest find another hotel.
We also have reviewed the room where guest stayed at and we do not have any furniture of beds that look like the one taken.
This guest stayed in one of our regular rooms which were remodeled with newer furniture about six years ago. Our newest rooms with new queen size pillow top beds, new furniture, new carpeting, and new drape, softgoods, and decorations and our newest suite with two queen size pillow top beds, King size pillow top beds and a queen size sleeper sofa with mini-kitchen with granite top, marble bathroom with granite tops and new furniture, new carpeting, new Saltillo tiles, new drapery with sheers and blackout linings and boxed in valences, softgoods and decorations were refreshed recently. We have always recommended our newest rooms for guests that expect more.
Our Hotel tries very hard to price our rooms during Cowboys Games and Special Events competitively with hotels with similar proximity to Cowboys Stadium. Guest should expect to pay more at all hotels in Arlington during those high demand periods. Our hotel also does charge extra for the use of fridge or microwave. Our Hotel's facilities including vending machines are serviced weekly by large nationwide vendors. We have shared this guest comments with the vending company and with our staff and we thank her for her time.
Hotel Management
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC