Stunning View Marred by Hidden Fees and Hostile Management
I stayed at the Tower Hotel (Room 2704) from March 28-29. While the view was incredible and the room was clean (aside from some leftover decorations from previous guests), the checkout experience was the most unprofessional I have ever encountered in the hospitality industry.
As an Ontario resident, I requested the removal of the Tourism Improvement Fees (TIF) totaling over $19.00 (charged on both the room and parking). The staff at the front desk met me with immediate hostility. I was told these were "mandatory taxes" and that they "couldn't do anything about it."
Fact Check: The $6.00 Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) is a city by-law, but the TIF is a discretionary business fee. Misrepresenting a business fee as a government-mandated tax is a violation of the Ontario Consumer Protection Act.
When I asked for a breakdown of the charges and requested to speak with a manager, the desk agent refused, claiming she "didn't like my tone." I was firm but respectful; she was dismissive and unhelpful.
It got worse:
• We were told our shuttle was outside. When we got there, it was gone. The valet then insisted it was there when he sent us out, implying we were lying. It felt like a deliberate attempt to spite us for questioning the bill.
• When I called back to get the General Manager's name/schedule, the staff was extremely rude, refused to give a time he would be in, and eventually hung up on me.
• Upon my final call to ide