According to recent reports, the Hotel business is down thirty percent in San Francisco.
For good reason, rates have therefore been slashed, to lure economically-minded travelers and keep the cash flow healthy.
Unfortunately, a handful of Hotel owners are offering perks, which later turn out to be all smoke and mirror maneuvers to entice innocent victims in the door.
One such establishment is the Balmoral Hotel on Clay Street in the business district in downtown San Francisco.
In an advertisement in the daily newspaper the management boasts free WiFi service.
For businessmen on the go, or tourists who use laptops to map their way on their holiday route, that perk is a big draw.
Who wants to pay through the nose daily for sporadic access at Hotels where they charge an arm and a leg?
Dashing around an unfamiliar neighbourhood to locate WiFi service at more reasonable cost is also somewhat frustrating when the focus should be on seeing the sights and relaxing into a vacation without such worries.
Subsequently, guests at the Balmoral Hotel were slightly shocked when they attempted to log on to the “free” WiFi and were denied access.
A trip down to the manager’s office turned out be a rude awakening.
“Oh, you’ve used up your quota,” the desk clerk mumbled without reservation (no pun intended).
“Go to Starbucks. They’ll give you a couple of hour," he shrugged.
In that scenario, laptop users are required to make a purchase, be mindful of the need for a potential battery charge, and be forced to handle personal affairs in a café in front of a posse of strangers jostling at their elbows.
It should be noted that when the guests check in at the Balmoral, they are not informed that there is a quota, either.
So, essentially, the false information in the newspaper ad - and failure to disclose - amount to fraud and false advertising.
But, the dishonesty does not end there.
After - checking in, paying for the lodging, and collecting their room keys - guests are then informed that maid service (once included in the Hotel fees) is no longer provided!
Talk about dishonest business practices.
Hotel management should disclose that vital information before the Hotel guest checks in, so that they have the option to book at another Hotel in the event they prefer fluffed pillows, light cleaning, and fresh sheets daily.
More grievous perhaps, is a potential hazard that exists at the Hotel, which warrants investigation.
On a few occasions, guests were taken aback when their mini-fridges, microwaves, and TV sets shut-down without warning.
It appears that the older Hotel has a problem with circuit-breakers and electric wiring!
The Balmoral may be a potential fire hazard - just maybe a deathtrap - waiting to happen.
Therefore, I'm posting this article on the Consumer Alert page at the Tattler blog site.
It may be wise to avoid this establishment (and bug infestations which spring up now & then without warning ) like the plague.
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