Topic: Hotel Rip-off
started by: ALAngst
Posted by ALAngst on Jul. 13 2011,11:36 pm
I was going to stay in Albert Lea tonight so I was checking out hotels. I used to stay at the old Holiday Inn Express. Now its Best Western. $139 for tonight. Next door at America Inn it was I think $120. I can't believe it. So I checked around. Comfort Inn and Country Inn were less than $100. And America Best Value was $65. When I checked the other hotels I did it through Orbitz. It gave me the other towns. Albert Lea is really high. So I drove out to McDonald's to get something to eat. Both hotels had about twenty cars in their lots each. Whoever runs those hotels shouldn't be working tomorrow evening. I remember when I used to get turned away at those hotels because they were full. Its such a rip off that these two hotels are the only ones on the north end and try and gouge people and they really are not nice hotels anymore. I suppose that is why they were less than half full.
Posted by pantalonesverdes on Jul. 13 2011,11:45 pm
Knights Inn had a billboard showing around $50 a night.
Posted by twingroves on Jul. 14 2011,6:33 am
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM A BUNCH OF INDIANS
Posted by MADDOG on Jul. 14 2011,6:38 am
(twingroves @ Jul. 14 2011,6:33 am)
QUOTE
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM A BUNCH OF INDIANS
Where are the injuns?
Posted by MADDOG on Jul. 14 2011,6:43 am
Or do you mean dots, not feathers?
Posted by twingroves on Jul. 14 2011,7:13 am
LOOK AROUND MOST OF THE MOTELS ARE RUN BY INDIANS
Posted by MADDOG on Jul. 14 2011,12:24 pm
Where? I don't see any smoke signals coming from the AmericInn or Express. Nor is Mowgli at the front desk of Country Inn or Countryside.
I know what you mean though. Even since I was a boy, I've always been on the look out for indians.
Posted by twingroves on Jul. 14 2011,2:49 pm
I AM TALKING ABOUT THE RAG HEADS FROM INDIA
Posted by Butcher on Jul. 14 2011,3:35 pm
(pantalonesverdes @ Jul. 13 2011,11:45 pm)
QUOTE
Knights Inn had a billboard showing around $50 a night.
The color they painted the outside building is just crazy. It sticks out like a sore thumb as you drive into town.
Posted by This is my real name on Jul. 14 2011,3:52 pm
(Butcher @ Jul. 14 2011,3:35 pm)
QUOTE
(pantalonesverdes @ Jul. 13 2011,11:45 pm)
QUOTE
Knights Inn had a billboard showing around $50 a night.
The color they painted the outside building is just crazy. It sticks out like a sore thumb as you drive into town.
Right. It looks kind of like a villa-style Mexican restaurant, except much larger. I am guessing it's deliberate, to draw attention to their low rates - which is actually a pretty good strategy. They're not pretending to be anything ritzy, just a place to crash for the night.
Posted by MADDOG on Jul. 14 2011,7:16 pm
(twingroves @ Jul. 14 2011,2:49 pm)
QUOTE
I AM TALKING ABOUT THE RAG HEADS FROM INDIA
Oh, right.
Are you sure they are from India?
I met a guy once in town from Pakistan and know a guy who teaches English in Kyrgyzstan, but plans on spending some time in Nepal this fall.
I heard though, India is a bad place.
Posted by Wolfie on Jul. 15 2011,2:03 pm
Can you explain to me how, if you can't afford their services, they are a "ripoff"?
Posted by ALAngst on Jul. 16 2011,11:02 pm
(Wolfie @ Jul. 15 2011,2:03 pm)
QUOTE
Can you explain to me how, if you can't afford their services, they are a "ripoff"?
I never said I can't afford it, I said they were priced so crazy, and you can go to a store, or a hotel, see their price and say that's a rip-off without paying for something.
To prove my point the parking lots were not even half full. And after I saw your comlaint I checked rates for tonight? Guess what? Best Western dropped their rates $30 a room, but their still $110. Comfort Inn and Country Inn are sold out and it looks like they have alot of rooms to sell.
I used to stay out there. Holiday Inn was tough to get into last minute. America Inn not as tough. But I figured when they went to Best Western they would become more affordable. And I suppose you'll say they can price it the way they want and they can but their running themselves out of business.
Posted by Santorini on Jul. 17 2011,12:44 pm
Hotels and Motels typically have different seasonal rates. From Memorial Day through Labor Day they can get the higher rates without offering discounts because of the high volume travel season. Same applies for winter months during hockey tournament time; they can get the higher rate without discounts and they typically sell out.Most times if you see an almost empty parking lot it means nothing. Simply that most of the reservations have not arrived yet! Cannot sell the rooms if they are reserved for someone else.
Also, it is wiser to call the hotel directly instead of through their 800# because you can generally get a better rate!
Posted by hot84svo on Jul. 17 2011,2:19 pm
Just because the lot is not full does not mean it's not sold out. I got the last rooms at the comfort inn reserved for clients a week ahead of the arrival on the date you needed it. You must not plan ahead.
Posted by hymiebravo on Jul. 17 2011,10:15 pm
QUOTE
Just because the lot is not full does not mean it's not sold out.
Ha ha - Generally speaking the parking lot will give you a pretty good idea of what is going on though.
I happen to agree that $150 a night to stay at that style hotel in Albert Lea is outrageous
For a few bucks more you could go down to Northwood, IA and stay at Country Inn and get 18 holes of golf and a cart for 2 people.
QUOTE
Rates for: Mon Jul 18, 2011 to Tue Jul 19, 2011
Mon
$164.00
USD
Book Now
Tee up Fore a Great Stay-STD2
PRICE:
164.00 US Dollar (USD) Per night Tax excluded For 1 nights per room
ROOM DESCRIPTION:
Guest Room Features:
-Two Queen beds
-Complimentary High Speed Wireless Internet access
-Microwaves -Refrigerators
-Coffee/Tea maker -Hairdryer
-Iron with iron boards
FEATURES:
Overnight accommodations for two in a standard room or suite
Golf voucher for 18 Holes of Golf
Green fees and cart
Country Inn & Suites backpack filled with sunscreen, 2 bottles of water, and 2 snack packs
Complimentary deluxe hot breakfast buffet
Tee times are based on availability
Based on 2 adults per room per night
Rates subject to availability
Rate includes one round of golf and cart for two people
Mon
$164.00
USD
Book Now
Tee up Fore a Great Stay-STD2
PRICE:
164.00 US Dollar (USD) Per night Tax excluded For 1 nights per room
ROOM DESCRIPTION:
Guest Room Features:
-Two Queen beds
-Complimentary High Speed Wireless Internet access
-Microwaves -Refrigerators
-Coffee/Tea maker -Hairdryer
-Iron with iron boards
FEATURES:
Overnight accommodations for two in a standard room or suite
Golf voucher for 18 Holes of Golf
Green fees and cart
Country Inn & Suites backpack filled with sunscreen, 2 bottles of water, and 2 snack packs
Complimentary deluxe hot breakfast buffet
Tee times are based on availability
Based on 2 adults per room per night
Rates subject to availability
Rate includes one round of golf and cart for two people
< http://www.countryinns.com/reservation/rateSearch.do >
Posted by hymiebravo on Jul. 17 2011,10:17 pm
What the heck it's only money right? Put it on your Albert Lea city issued credit card.
Posted by ALAngst on Jul. 19 2011,9:14 pm
(hot84svo @ Jul. 17 2011,2:19 pm)
QUOTE
You must not plan ahead.
Its not an issue of planning ahead. Its usually my schedule, and how late my day is and when it starts the next day. (I graduated from Albert Lea). The best city is Owatonna for rates. And the nights in question they weren't even half full. I agree with the other poster its usually better to call the hotel but I prefer to stop at the hotel.
The opinions on this forum would be different if I was talking about Super 8 or Knights Inn or Americas Best Value being $100 or more.