Although my overall stay at the hotel was enjoyable, the check-in experience left a poor first impression and started my vacation on the wrong note.
I booked two suites through Expedia. The suite photos clearly showed balconies, so I naturally expected the rooms I booked to include one. Instead, I was assigned a suite without a balcony. When I raised this with the front desk, I was told it was my responsibility to verify whether the room description explicitly mentioned a balcony, and that this is a common complaint they receive.
The problem is that none of the listings clearly state whether a balcony is included or excluded. Some mention a mountain view, but a mountain view is not the same as having a balcony. If the room photos prominently feature a balcony, it is reasonable for guests to assume it is part of the room. The fact that staff admitted this is a common issue suggests the hotel is aware the listings are misleading, yet nothing has been done to fix them.
To make matters worse, my second room was not ready until 7:00 PM, three hours after the published check-in time. When I asked whether a late checkout could be offered as a gesture of goodwill, my request was declined and I was given only a Starbucks voucher. The hotel itself was good, but the misleading listing and poor customer service left a lasting negative impression.