Banu S.
Yelp
So it started off pretty amazing. I booked through my Business AMEX Platinum Card with Fine Hotels and Resorts, because of the perks you get. Free credit for breakfast daily, usually a spa credit (this place DID NOT have that, which is unusual), Check in 12:00, Check out 4:00, upgrade etc etc. I pay enough to have my own business that these are the few perks!
Waited more than 30 minutes to check in on a Thursday at 2:00pm. Chystine Wesson checked me in. Polite, sweet, and turns out she's the Front Desk Manager. Perk!.....?.... NOPE! But i'll get to that by the end.
Usually when you book FHR, you get concierge service, with someone reaching out to you to ask you about your needs, and will sometimes precheck you in for an upgraded room (since you pay for it!)
No one got a hold of me, so when I received a check in text from Marriot Bonvoy, I took advantage of PAYING $500 MORE FOR A CLUB LEVEL ROOM, on top of WHAT I ALREADY PAID AND BOOKED THROUGH FHR.
But...when i checked in, Crystine says "well, you didn't book your club level with FHR", and I said "I booked my $3000 reservation with FHR and upgraded and PAID MORE for a club room. That my folks is where she has serious issues with providing great service at a hotel that has ALOT OF COMPETITION.
By the end of my check-in, she asked me to forward me the FHR reservation to actually give me my FHR perks, and I thought "all great, what amazing service for what I pay for anyway, right?!"....again, i'll get to that by the end.
I'd like to say that I had a pretty wonderful time. My niece just moved here to attend LMU, and I came up to wine and dine her, and hang out by the pool, and have her stay with me, and enjoy the club level, and boy did we have fun.
We bought a day bed for the day, had wonderful service. Blanca in housekeeping was quite sweet, attentive, and I enjoyed communicating in Spanish with her.
Adam at the club lounge was an amazing bartender, as well as the breakfast girls! I did order morning room service to impress my niece, so racked up a nice bill, with service charge AND gratuity already tacked on, as you may guess.
So....................................i check out. The nice man at the front desk says "Crystine wrote to not give you FHR rate, and so you just got a $100 credit.". CONTRARY TO WHAT SHE SAID TO ME IN ALL HONESTY.
I told him that i'd like to talk to her, and he said 'she's off', but 'i'll make sure she takes care of this BEFORE YOUR AMEX IS CHARGED SO YOU CAN SETTLE IT"
Of course I get to San Diego, and it's already charged. No FHR benefits of daily breakfast credit.
I sent her an email three times to follow up and she GHOSTED ME. STOPPED COMMUNICATING. SHE GOT HER MONEY, AND ALL GOOD.
Of course I called AMEX being the loyal physician I am, and ended up contesting the bill, and got my money back! yes! And by the way, AMEX platinum cards said that this specific location has problems with fine hotels and resorts...THEY EVEN CALLED THE RESORT AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. Avoid this place please/
Shame on you, Crystine. You ignored me, ghosted me, and refused to answer the question of 'why are you not honoring FHR rate?" Your company NEVER comped me club level, and you didn't even upgrade my room. So SHAME ON YOU. You do not understand customer service, and probably really do not deserve to be in the position you are in.
I will NEVER RETURN TO YOUR PROPERTY, which is unfortunate as my niece is there for at least 4 years, probably longer.
See ya!