I did not complete my check-in at this hotel due to unethical and potentially illegal credit card handling practices, as well as poor overall property conditions.
While it’s standard for hotels to verify ID and place a credit card on file for incidentals, this property’s process was alarming. The front desk agent took my ID and credit card into a back office without informing me, then returned having photocopied both without my consent. When I questioned this, I was told that was how they “take a deposit.”
After expressing concern about the security of my financial and personal information, I was told I could leave a $100 cash deposit—but only if I wanted the photocopies of my documents returned. This felt coercive and highly inappropriate. There was no visible credit card terminal or any indication that credit card data was being securely processed.
As if that wasn’t enough, the lobby smelled of cigarette smoke, the parking lot was obstructed by multiple shipping containers, making navigation difficult, and the lobby itself appeared dirty and poorly maintained. Combined with the dismissive attitude of the staff, I had no confidence in the safety or professionalism of the establishment.
Fearing misuse of my information, I asked to cancel my reservation. I was told that because I had booked through a third-party site, I could not cancel or receive a refund, even though I had not checked in. I had to file a fraud report with my credit card company, cancel my card, and wait