A very satisfied customer.
That’s me, and because I am, I’d like to give a shout-out to 1800hotels.com and recommend them to one and all.
I reserved a room in center city Philadelphia later this month to attend Tom’s Sixteenth Annual Holiday Dinner, the Monk’s Christmas event, an evening I try never to miss. I reserved and pre-paid well in advance to get the best possible rate and sat back to await the hoped-for invitation from Kindly Mr. Tom Peters (who’s going off to Belgium next week to prepare to be the perfect host). When it arrived yesterday, I discovered that the dinner has been moved back a week to December 15 so that they can accommodate all the folks who look forward to it as much as do I.*
That meant a scramble to move the hotel reservation back a week. On a pre-paid reservation, that usually means a big hassle, especially at holiday time, and considerable expense. I gulped and called 1800Hotels.
A rep name Adam was courteous, helpful and jumped on the case immediately. He took all the information and emailed the hotel while I was still online to see if he could get into the system and find out what he could do right away. When he couldn’t, he assured me he would get back to me within 48 hours or less with a new confirmation or call me immediately if there was a problem.
At about 5:30 last evening, less than three hours after I’d called, I got a email from Adam with a new reservation, same price and waiver of the $40 fee making a change to the original reservation.
These are kind of people I like and want to do business with and I figured you might too.
Oh, and why the hotel room for a dinner in Philly? Given my continuing problems with and nervousness about driving at night and the amount of beer that will be pouring, that’s good common sense. I realize such behavior on my part will leave some of you aghast, but there it is.
* The Monk’s website indicates that the date change has opened up a few bar seats for the night since they will be using the entire restaurant, so you might still have a chance to be there if so inclined.
Jack, and I think I speak for Casey as well, you are always welcome at our apartment when you come to town…we’ll give you a set of keys and I think Casey might even give up his bed for you
Casey goes to bed?
I got to say that I am a fan of Hotels.com as well. They took pretty good care of me this year on my travels. I have not tried this 1800hotels.com though and will do so in the future to compare with my previous experience. That’s pretty darned good service though and I commend you for putting it out there that you got above and beyond treatment from them.
Glad to hear things worked out for you. I’ve never used a 3rd party reservation service. We did, however, also make a reservation for the Doubletree around the corner for the same purpose. We have always made the trek back to SNJ after Tom’s Holiday Dinner which wasn’t really fair to the Mrs….having to drive. It also gives us the chance to do an Olde City pub crawl the next day before we go home. You’re welcome to come with us for that. See you then!