As I sit on the eve of another Family Vacation to Hawaii, my nightmares have turned again to the dreadful experience my family and I once suffered – at a place called Terrell Castel. It was June of 2004, and I had just returned from Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom 1); we had two toddlers and we really needed to stay in a place with people who gave a hoot. The owners, Vic and Diane Smilgin, were some of the most shockingly self-focused, mean spirited, twisted people I have ever encountered. Thus, our ordeal at Terrell Castel (in my 42 years of life), was the worst experience I have ever had, anytime, anywhere, at any level in the hospitality industry. The first night when I went down to the owner to request a baby bottle be microwaved for warm milk, he snarled at me in a SHOCKINGLY DEMENTED MANNER. I’ll never forget it if I live to be 110. This bizarre and unpredictable behavior continued throughout our 5 day stay. WHY DID WE PUT UP WITH IT? Well, IMMEDIATELY upon arrival, they asked for our Credit Card and CHARGED IT IN FULL. I was exhausted from War and travel, and finding another place to stay in San Antonio in June would have been difficult. To add insult to injury, some of my wife and children’s belongings were stolen by the Mexican maid who did it behind our backs under a ruse of kindness. All I can say is that I honestly hope others will be spared the horrors of an experience like this. Of the many things that stood out to me as BIZZARE, was a bumper sticker on Diane’s 700 series BMW. It read, “If you are not outraged, then you are not paying attention.” This was, evidently, her philosophy of life, because she and her volatile husband reeked of rage, contempt, and craven selfishness. Remember folks, when you stay in a place like a B & B, the OWNERS run the show, up close and personal. And if the owners are sick people, you are in for a hellish time. To this day, words still escape me to fully describe the extremely tense and volatile atmosphere of Terrell Castel. DO NOT STAY AT THIS HOTEL/ B & B.
