Friday, August 12, 2011

A cot is a cot, except when it's not




Dear Mr. d*,

Thank you for your courteous, although negative response to my request. I'd like to take the opportunity of your reply to offer several observations.

Contrary to your argument, a cot is only sometimes a crib. (Forgive my cheek, but I'm finding this entire thing a little silly today). Here's an easy to find definition of cot:

cot n.
1. A narrow bed, especially one made of canvas on a collapsible frame.
2. Chiefly British A crib.

Here are the search results for the keyword "Cot." Not a crib in sight.


And here are those same search results for keyword "Cot" on Google.co.uk. Nothing but cribs as far as the eye can see.


So forgive me if I differ with your assessment that:

In any hotel operation , it is commonly understood that a cot that you had requested is a baby crib and it is meant for infants only. Your children were aged 9 and 12 years.

With regard to your assessment that Ms. A*'s actions were in accordance with your policy, I encourage you to revisit a policy which included the a variety of ill considered behavior including the following:

  • Questioning my veracity that I'd booked a room for 4
  • Promising me that the staff had previously fit a fold-up bed in the room, even though it had not been done and could not be done on July 8th
  • Telling me she was unauthorized to make a decision herself about comping a room, but was also not able to reach someone who could, even though it was 8pm and she was staring at a tired family with two children looking for a place to rest their heads.
  • Of yes, then she made the decision herself an hour later

Finally, I have no interest in pursuing legal action and I apologize if my words in my prior email suggested that. I should have been more explicit, which I will be now. I intend to share my story on Facebook, on TripAdvisor, on Booking.com and Consumerist.com. With luck, the story will spread and your hotel will earn the reputation it deserves.

Sincerely,


1 comment:

  1. Regardless of your other, many disputes with this hotel (it sounds like you had a horrible time and I'm not trying to detract from that), in the UK a cot is exactly what you picture at the top of the post, on the left. The thing on the right, which in the US is called a cot, we would call a camp bed or foldaway bed.

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