Dolphin Hotel & Management not fair! We're cancelling! I need to vent!!

[SGF]

Minnie's Mate:

I spoke to the hotel directly this morning and they are the ones who I feel had the "attitude" about the whole thing after I explained the situation. I don't have any wish to call them back.

The room was available at the teacher rate both times I spoke to them this morning. First time I called, second they called me back. That wasn't the issue. It was the price quoted for the room. I know the D/S isn't perfect but I didn't care for how this was handled. In my opinion, they knew they were wrong and had no interest to try and smooth things over. It was a take it or leave it attitude. I'm sure we have all had things happen when booking reservations but it's how a company handles problems, mistakes, etc... in my opinion that determines whether I choose to give them a good reference or whether I want to stay there initially or return.

I appreciate you taking the time to share your suggestions.


csmommy:

Thanks for the numbers.

 

[marymrg]

Are there Junior Suites at the Swan? If not, and you really want to stay at the Dolphin, then I would also see if DU can handle it for you. They may have quoted you an AP rate instead of the teacher rate. When I was inquiring, the AP rates were less for the suites than the teacher's/RN rate but more for regular rooms. I hope you can work it all out and end up with a great trip.......no matter where you end up staying.

 

[SGF]

marymrg:

I don't think the original person quoted me an AP rate as he knew we were discussing the teacher rate. The Swan doesn't have the same layout as the Dolphin in this type of room. I was told it's only one room at the Swan. I know the Swan wasn't the one who caused this problem but I'm still having a problem justifying staying there as they are operated by the same company I think.

Do you have the number for DU? I can't seem to find it now that I'm looking. Can't hurt to call but I most probably will sit tight and see what codes come out from Disney. Thanks.

 

[jiminyfan]

after being treated in such a manner as you were, I'd take my business elsewhere no matter the cost.

Try the AKL, it is a lot nice of a resort than either the S or D.

Just an opinion from the outside.

 

[SGF]

Dave:

Last time we were at Disney we went to eat at the AKL (Boma's)and it is a really beautiful resort. We never saw a room but the lobby was certainly nice.

We wanted to stay at the Dolphin so we could be on the boardwalk since we'd be at Epcot and MGM more. At this point we're throwing around the idea to maybe switch to Universal and stay at the HRH. We've always had fabulous service there.

 

[Mitla96]

SGF-

Mackinaw Island is a beautiful little island on Lake Huron between the Lower and Upper Peninsula of Michigan, with a great view of the famous Mackinaw Bridge. No cars are allowed there, only horses and bikes. It is a very easy bike ride AROUND the island-completely flat- and a VERY difficult (for me~!) ride over the middle of the island-uphill about halfway, then a very fun downhill ride. Mackinaw is notorious for being overpriced (more than Disney!) -it is the site of the Grand Hotel, where the movie "Somewhere in Time" with Jane Seymour was filmed.

I'm sad you are giving up on the S/D. It still would be the best location for Epcot/MGM, I think. We leave for FL on Friday. We are having a whiteout blizzard right now as I type, and I am raring to go. I'm staying at the Swan

Janet in Michigan

 

[Michelle]

Dreams Unlimited books the Swan/Dolphin through its DreamsRES service found here:

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/dreamsres/index.htm

Good luck.

 

[T+C]

Mitla 96

What part of snowy MI are you in? I'm "loving" it in Boyne City

 

[Mitla96]

We are here in frigid East Lansing. My husband teaches at MSU. We are leaving for the Swan on Friday-Yeah!

Janet

 

[SGF]

Mitla96:

That's the same place I'm talking about. I remember reading "no cars allowed on the island" when I was doing my research about that area. We ended up switching vacations at that time so we never did get to visit but it looked real nice from the brochures. Hopefully one day we will.

Have you stayed at the Swan before or is this your first time?
Thanks for the posts and have a super Disney trip!


Michelle:

Thanks for posting the website for DU. Is there a phone number also? I didn't see it while surfing their site. Would rather call if possible.

 

[Mitla96]

Michelle-

This will be our first time at the Swan. My kids and I stayed at the POR in 2000-we are doing Epcot (for the first time) this time so we thought the Swan sounded ideal, esp. with the nurse's discount. I will be sure to post a trip report on our return.

Raring to go,

Janet

 

[CathyCanada]

SGF,
Sorry to hear about your experience. On the one hand, I understand that they can't book from the front desk, just as Disney can't (usually), but you should have been told up front that was the case, especially when different rates were quoted.

The DreamsRES part of Dreams Unlimited Travel is an online booking system so that you can check the prices and availability yourself. You can then book it and lock it in. If after doing so, you still have questions regarding the reservation, I can direct you to the person who handles these. If you have any other questions, you can email them directly at dreamsres@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

Hope that helps and don't let this spoil your vacation. If you can get that great rate at a deluxe hotel, go for it and enjoy it!!

Cathy

 

[SGF]

Mitla96:

Have a super trip.


Cathy:

You're right, the part I'm angry about is that they kept me on the phone discussing the details and prices and then when I was ready to book said they can't. They should have been upfront and said that in the beginning plus I feel a hotel shouldn't quote rates if they can't honor them at that time. Just heard some of their staff is on strike so maybe they don't treat them fairly either. Appreciate you taking the time to post the information about DU. Thanks.

 

[jgates]

SGF - is there ANY chance that the rate you were quoted the first time on the phone was w/o tax and resort fee, while the 2nd time was an entire total?

If you are talking a starting rate of $199 per nite - seems like tax rate was close to 10% or in that vicinity when we were there - then add $10 resort fee- you would be really close to the extra $29 per nite.

I have spent days trying to find a room in Wisconsin Dells and the way I am quoted is about 50/50 as to whether it is base rate or total rate including taxes.

 

[SGF]

jgates:

No, I know it didn't include the tax or the resort fee with the original price because the person mentioned those charges separate. The amnt. quoted was for the hotel room itself. When I called back the second day (as requested by them) the higher price quoted was for the hotel room only and not the extras. The difference was strictly in the hotel price itself.

If what you said held true which unfortunately it didn't I wouldn't be upset as the room would have been the same price. Thanks for trying to clarify things anyways.

I wish the management there was as nice and understanding as all of you.

 

[SGF]

Had a good laugh today after reading the letter the hotel sent. Apparently they can't even get their complaints correct as according to their letter they think that I got the price from a website!!!. All they kept saying was how I must have gone to a "non offical website as they don't have a Jr. Suite at that price." I told each person I spoke to in regards to this matter that I was quoted that price from a person at their hotel. No where did they even mention anything in regards to I'm sorry for the inconvenience or the misunderstanding, etc..... Then they go on to say how they'll let me book two more rooms if needed at the teacher rate. BIG DEAL!!! I could get that before this mix up on my own as anyone who qualifies for this discount can book up to three rooms at that rate.

Hate to think how they would handle a problem if it should arise while you were there if this is how they deal with things prior.

Still think they handled this whole situation in VERY POOR TASTE!!!!!!!!!

 

[gepetto]

I guess I'm not seeing a big deal here or what exactly you expect to happen with all of your complaints. Is your main issue that a front desk clerk made a mistake and quoted you an incorrect price?

 

[Pumbaa_]

I certainly understand your frustration! GRRRR! I would have felt the smae way. I too spend much time planning my trips and expect the information I receive to be accurate.

If you are still looking to stay in the EPCOT area, another thought is to rent DVC points. We did this in Spetember for a family trip. It cost us about $2000 for a 2 bedroom and a studio at BWV, Sunday to Friday. It worked out well for our family. (And we now own at BCV )

Good Luck!

 

[Capt Jazbo]

People, people, people...

While I'll agree that $29 per night can mean alot to some people (indeed, in some third world countries it represents a year's pay), it is hardly worth ruining your trip to one of the nicest destinations we have to offer. And since more time has been spent on this thread then could have possibly been spent on the original, and hopefully subsequent, phone call(s), my heartfelt advice is just to let it go.

Believe me, you are the only one going to bed angry about this. The hotel staff isn't losing any sleep over this one, so you are only compounding your losses.

There now - don't you feel better?

 

[SGF]

gepetto:

First, stand corrected in the fact that it's ONE main complaint and not as you put it "with all of your complaints."

If you feel it's no big deal for a hotel to quote prices and then NOT let a customer book then so be it. You're entitled to your views but I don't agree with this policy and from what I've gathered from reading the responses neither do most of the other posters.

As for what I expect to happen.......NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you had read the post you'd see that I mostly replied to the nice people who tried to help or answered their questions. I didn't expect anything from the hotel (as the title said, I needed to vent) but it would have been good business if the hotel had just said something like sorry for the inconvenience or misunderstanding instead of the rude indifferent attitude they took.

I never wrote to the hotel complaining. Getting a letter from them with not one fact of truth in it as to what actually happened after it was explained to two different managers (who called me)was funny. It showed how disorganized they are so I posted an update to give everyone a laugh. Sorry if you don't think it's funny but I do.

Hope you don't have any problems with your reservations now or in the future. Would hate for you to find out first hand that it can be upsetting and frustrating. Thanks for taking the time to post.


Jody:

Hi, thanks for understanding. It seems most people did. That 2 bedroom sounds nice but right now we decided to just leave everything as is and wait to see if the Disney codes come out. You're right, planning a nice trip for your family takes time and being informed certainly helps. Have a great trip when you visit Disney again.