Choice Hotels Reviews
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About Choice Hotels
- Good breakfast options
- Valuable rewards program
- Poor customer service experiences
- Inconsistent cleanliness standards
Choice Hotels Reviews
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Reviewed March 25, 2019
Horrible customer services, then they tell you to speak with the customer relation department. They couldn't help me either! My reservation is for April 18 to April 19 but needs to be changed from April 19 to April 20 dut to Good Friday. My job is not letting me off they refuse to change the day the date. I was told they can't make changes.
Hey there, Toy. It's upsetting to hear you feel this way. Customer Service is our priority, and this is something we want to review. Please reply to our private message with your reservation details, and we will look into this further. We hope to hear more from you soon! - Kayla
Reviewed March 24, 2019
I travel on business frequently and Choice brand was one of my alternative hotels. In December, I made redemption with my reward points for a few donation cards for the Red Cross. The cards never arrived. I sent three emails in last two months to the member service department, other than receiving emails acknowledging receipt of my inquiries, nobody from Choice has told me what happened to my redemption. With this sort of "member service", I have to put Choice to the end of the list of hotels I'll choose in the future.
We appreciate you sharing the feedback with us, Qun. We're disappointed that your interactions with Member Services have not been more enjoyable. We'd like to look into this for you to determine the status of your redemption. Please reply to our private message with your Choice Privileges account number, and the mailing address, email, and phone number associated with your account. If you'd prefer, your more than welcome to send this information to us via email. - Kayla
Reviewed March 23, 2019
I have stayed, over the years, at any number of Choice Hotels. However, no more. I find their ad, "Just say badda book, badda boom" (sic) to be incredibly annoying, just plain stupid and nonsensical. The actor has a smirky, self satisfied look which only serves to underline his pointless message. I fail to understand what the advertising company that came up with this "Slogan" expected the public response to it to be. I realize it seems like a bit of overkill, but I find that when I discuss this with my friends, they agree with me.
Hi Michael. We appreciate the time you've taken to share this feedback with us. "Badda Book. Badda Boom." is a playful take on a known expression from everyday vernacular which communicates easy, all set, done, taken care of. The phrase is intended to be a lighthearted and memorable way to express the ease of booking hotel rooms on choicehotels.com. We hope you will give it a chance! Please don't hesitate to reach out for any other comments or questions. Thanks, aging, for your time. *Julio
Reviewed March 21, 2019
I used to use Choice Hotels frequently due to their pricing and promotions. I have started using them again and have strong concerns about both this time. I am staying frequently at Choice Hotels and accruing points. The issue is that when I try to book a hotel using points the price for the exact same room is greatly inflated. As an example I have been staying in a Suburban Hotel that is very dated and basic, but the price reflects that so that is fine. It is always about $70 a night and has been for 3 weeks now. If I select a room using best price, around $70. If I choose reward points the price jumps to well over $100, sometimes as much as $142 a night or 25,000 points.
There are no rooms at that hotel that are priced at those prices when cash is selected. The same thing happens if a Clarion Inn is selected. I have screen shots of exactly the same room being offered for $119 a night with payment, yet $142 a NIGHT+6000 points if a reward stay is selected. The second issue is a promotion that they are currently offering of 'stay two separate nights, get one night free'. I have been hotel hopping to try to take advantage of this. The issue is that you do not get a free night stay after 2 nights, you get 5000 points.
The lowest award, using wide search parameters and several attempts and dates, shows the lowest award stay as 20,000 points. This would take 8 separate paid stays to achieve, not two. I have reported this and am awaiting a satisfactorily explanation before taking the matter further. I shall post an update. I wondered if other consumers have experienced this issue? If I do not get a satisfactory explanation I shall file a report to the Federal Trade Commission as a starting point.
Hey there, Brian! We appreciate your feedback, and are happy to have you as a guest again. We want to make sure your concerns are addressed so I replied to you via private message with additional details. Please let us know if there is anything else that we can assist you with, and we'll be happy to help! Have a wondereful rest of your week. - Kayla P. (Ref# 9379937)
Reviewed March 18, 2019
I have been a Choice Hotels Elite member for many years. I travel a good deal each year and I stay in Choice Hotels 99% of the time. I basically stay in the same Hotel over and over unless they are booked and then I still try to find another Choice Hotel in the area. I like to leave reviews for the places I stay and the ones I have left have almost always been positive. If there were issues I mentioned them. If I have a problem at one of the places I take it up with management.
Well I recently stayed at the Quality Inn in Aiken SC and wanted to leave a review because I really liked the hotel and the staff etc. They recently renovated and it looks great. Well it seems now that Choice Hotels does not allow random reviews. You have to be sent an email from them and asked to review the hotel. That is a joke. So Choice Hotels does not want input from their Elite members in a random manner? I know they verify the stays and that is fine. I find this change to be a bad move.
The other issue I have is redeeming points. I remember one year redeeming points enough for my family to take a vacation to see the Biltmore House in Asheville NC. I mean I used points for the room, gas, and food cards. I redeemed them with no issue in one visit. Well this year I wanted to get some Food Gift Cards to give out as presents and guess what. You are now limited on how many you can redeem at one time?? What is up with that. I earned the points by staying with you and you now want to limit my ability to redeem the points?
I contacted Choice Hotels Customer Service and brought up these issue via email. I let them know I was not happy with these changes. Now of course I got the canned response to that email. I know if I never stay again it will not really be of a concern to them but you can rest assured I will not be recommending Choice Hotels as much as I once did.
Due to my workload I have some years where I stay over 100 nights a year and last year it was 76 stays. I am already at 19 nights this year and with the workload projected will be at least 50 this year. I like Choice for their value. These cost for these rooms are on my company expense and I try to save as much as I can. As long as the hotel is clean, has a good breakfast, the people are friendly I will come back over and over.
Hey there, John! I appreciate you leaving this detailed review for us. It's discouraging to know that until recently you've been dissatisfied with these program offerings. Feedback like this is essential to us, so we are aware of these opportunities to improve. Further, with your intentions for our surveys, I can see how this occurrence has left more to be desired. Kindly send a private message with your membership info so that we may get this to the appropriate teams. Thank you! -Julio
Reviewed March 15, 2019
As someone who has been in the travel and tourism industry for more than 25 years, I can tell you that it does not matter if you are a first time customer or a Choice Privileges member longstanding. They care not. They will treat you the way they treat everyone...poorly. We steer all of our groups (100 or more a year) away from Choice properties now. Our clients are happier and we have a much better chance of resolution with other hotel chains when there is an issue.
Mark, these remarks do concern us. Thank you kindly for reaching out. As one of our valued guests, you should expect the utmost quality in service and accommodations from Choice Hotels and our trusted partners. It's disheartening to hear how we've let you down. We want to take a second look into this if you allow us. Please send a private message with your contact information and more details surrounding this experience. Looking forward to hearing from you! -Julio
Reviewed March 3, 2019
I booked four hotel stays for my husband for a total of 40 days. Halfway through, I discovered that the hotel was not finding his reservation and rebooking him and I was being charged for no-shows. I did not know Choice Hotels was considered a third party booker. Spoke with a Choice Hotels customer service person today for whom English was not her first language and got nowhere. I asked to speak to her manager and was told to call back in 2.5 hours. I called the hotel and the teenager there also did not have a clue. It also appears that the new rate charged directly by the hotel is less than that charged by Choice Hotels. I presently see no advantage in using Choice Hotels.
Reviewed March 3, 2019
I’ve always had problems with this group and usually bypass them completely and just deal with the hotel directly. They are slow, confused, English is definitely their second or third language, and they use poor headsets which result in frequent mistakes. Thank goodness I checked the reservation I made this morning. The agent had me booked in March, not May like I requested. In total, it took 30 minutes for the agent to figure this one out and rebook and of course I ended up paying more. At least I was not a no show the day after tomorrow when they had booked me.
Reviewed March 2, 2019
My wife and I stayed at two different Choice Hotels back in Nov of 2018. The first hotel in Clinton Ms had a filthy pool and hot tub and a nonworking TV in our room. We also forgot our 2 extra pillows we brought from home and the hotel promised to send them to us. After repeated calls to the hotel we still never received our pillows. We then went Went to Avondale LA and stayed at another Choice hotel where our debit card was compromised and my checking account drained and sent into overdraft. I called Choice corporate to complain and report what happened and he received a case number. We never got a callback or offered any type of compensation. Chase Bank took care of the money thru fraud protection but Choice has been completely silent about this serious crime. We will never ever use Choice hotel again...
Reviewed Feb. 27, 2019
Choice Hotels keeps sending me emails saying that I have points I can use for a free stay. The email has an Account link, a number of some sort at the top (account number I assume) and says how many nights I have already stayed with them. Only problem is that none of the combinations of email address, account number(?) or passwords allow me to log in, register, or recover my password on website, even after clicking the link THAT THEY SENT ME! Geez, my bank doesn't require this much info to log in. So thanks Choice Hotels for reminding me I've earned a free night I can't use and wasting 20 minutes of my time (30 if you count this review).
Oh no! I am so sorry to hear that you cannot access your account online to use your points. We know this important and truly appreciate your time and valued feedback. If you would please send us a private response with your account details, we would be happy to check on this.
Kevin
Reviewed Feb. 20, 2019
I have been a loyal choice customer for decades (with multiple youth sports teams and business travel). Recently I booked a room at Comfort Suites, College Station TX. It is for parent's weekend coming up in April and since that is a high volume weekend the rates are double the normal rate (another complaint for another day). I booked online and somehow booked two rooms by accident (not sure how - the website was acting very glitchy). I had booked using the combo of points and cash to bring the rate back down to a normal rate, but booked so that I could cancel if needed (hotel has free cancellation up to 48 hours prior the stay).
As soon as I realized the mistake I called Choice directly and was told that it was "no problem" they can just cancel one room and sent me a new confirmation with the corrected number of rooms. All good right? Wrong...a week later I find out that my credit card was charged $420 for canceled room. I have called multiple times asked to speak to supervisors been on the phone for hours on end trying to straighten this out. They have given me the run around and have told me that because the room was booked as a "cash plus points" room, that the policy is when I cancel to essentially charge me for all the points that I would have used to book the room!
I came across one supervisor named Benedict that seemed to understand my complaint. I was not informed when I made the call to choice initially that I would be charged $420 to cancel the room. I was just told "no problem- easy to fix". He filed a formal request for a refund from the billing department and told me to wait 3-5 business days. Well I did, no response from choice and no refund. I just called again and was pretty much told "nope you are out of luck that is the policy and your claim was denied". I was also informed that they are sorry I am unhappy but there is no one else I can talk to and it is my option to not use them again.
I promise you I will not (of course I have to stay this last time coming up since I paid $420 for a two night stay in a three star hotel). I am assuming my only option at this time is to see about disputing the charge with my credit card company. It really is too bad because I have always been very happy with my experiences with Comfort Suites. Great hotels...terrible customer service!
Thank you for your candid comments on your recent reservation experience and your longtime loyalty to Choice Hotels.
We would be happy to review your reservation to see if there is anything we can do. Would you be so kind as to send us a private response with your reservation details? We appreciate your time!
Kevin
Reviewed Feb. 14, 2019
I have qualified for the top tiers for frequent stay programs at all major programs, and have used the match program with lesser hotels. I find gaining elite tier status helpful, in obtaining late checkouts, free breakfast, lunch, parking etc.
Choice Hotels, aka COMFORT INN, RODEWAY, CLARION, etc. was a match program. Main problems: 1. Did not match my highest elite status. Consequently only get points, no upgrades. 2. According to customer service representative Paula **. Specialist II, Executive Guest Services. Match is only good for 1 year, and can not be matched after that. In her words, you need to spend to obtain elite tier status with "CHOICE BRANDS". THEN WHAT GOOD IS A TIER MATCH? Especially if you are "LIFETIME MEMBER" with other programs. 3. I made several comments and reviews of "franchise" hotels for Choice, but they were never posted on their website. I guess they do not like "honest true evaluations"!!
Cleanliness - Found used condoms underneath bed. Sheets were dirty and seemed unchanged from last guest. Unruly guests - Drunk, loud, illegal activities in parking lot. Homeless people congregating in parking lot, and sleeping in cars. Management in these hotels didn't care about complaint. I had to call local police or sheriff's department. It seems for "HOSPITALITY GROUP" Choice hotels don't really care.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention! We appreciate your honest feedback on the elite status match offer. I will be certain to pass on your suggestions so they can be considered the next time the program is revised.
I regret to hear that some of your stays left something to be desired. We certainly do take these reports seriously. If you experience anything like you mentioned in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Guest Experience Team. We appreciate your time!Kevin
Reviewed Feb. 13, 2019
Warning to guests of Econo Lodge in Manchester, Vermont. This hotel is not to be trusted. I stayed at this hotel from 1/23 to 1/27 in January 2019 and the hotel charged my credit card for the entire stay two times in the same exact amounts on two separate days. They refuse to credit my charge card for the 2nd duplicate charge. Choice Hotels also told me they could not do anything because the hotel was not owned by them. Be forewarned that this was clearly not by accident and now requires wasted time and energy submitting claims to my credit card company, Vermont Attorney General, Vermont Better Business Bureau, and Vermont Small Claims Court. THIS HOTEL SHOULD NOT BE TRUSTED WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD.
Oh my, Tim! I understand how valuable your time is, and having to take extra steps for this to be handled is not part of the experience Choice Hotels strives to provide our valued guests. It is possible this could be related to the hold for incidentals. I'd like to know more. Please private message your personal contact information and reservation details and we'll get started. Thank you! -Julio
Reviewed Feb. 3, 2019
The only thing that bothers me is that once I make and reserved my room, I get charges added to my bill after I check out. A minimal charge for occupancy from 2.35 to 3.00 dollars. Don't know why the charge when I check out.
Reviewed Feb. 2, 2019
I'm currently at the Sleep Inn in Springfield, Mo at 233 El Camino Alto St. The front desk clerk had no interest in checking my ID or confirmation at check in. He wasn't very personable or customer service oriented. The room is cute but dingy...thick dust all over wall pictures and various areas of room. Bathroom door is gross and needs to be wiped down. Not sure what's on it. Hair inside beds when pulled back comforter. Gap in door is ridiculous and looks like the door's been kicked in or never fit correctly. Pretty rowdy crowd in the other two rooms so I don't know how interesting the night will become, but I'm not happy. Feels like I'm at a Motel 8.
I'm a former Quality Inn manager with plenty of experience in the hospitality industry and a current manager of a top rated Planet Fitness in NW Arkansas. This place here needs a refresher on customer service and cleanliness and staff needs to control guests and parking lot activity. Oh and cigarette burns in the carpet in a no smoking room. I took pictures. will deal with it in the morning. My mom's at Mercy with burns all up and down the left side of her body and she's also been undergoing chemo for a lung tumor and multiple brain tumors. I'm definitely not paying $100 for no rest, on top of what I'm dealing with. This is a Choice hotel, act like it! ??? And btw...the reviews for this place are mostly bad on several sites. Choice, you should really get on this place. Sleep Inns are usually nice and clean. This one is horrible.
Reviewed Feb. 1, 2019
I spent about an hour trying to reserve a room in preparation of my son coming home from deployment. However, booking a room with bonus points plus cash is impossible... DO NOT BELIEVE the message that pops up saying there was an error with the card and the information on file. I tried several times with two different cards. Same message. I now have 10 withdraws from my account. TEN!!! HOW is this when there was an error and the website would not allow me to use the points plus cash... This is a scam people. BEWARE... NOW I am out 8,000 points and $150. which was suppose to cost me 6,00 points + $15. I am reporting this company as soon a day breaks. I need contact information to someone from the top of this company. NOW!!!
Hello Vanessa
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to improve. I am going to send you a private response as we would love to look into this with you!
Paula
Reviewed Jan. 31, 2019
I called now 2 times today trying to get my account straightened out. I am a Diamond member and never have had a lot of problems with Choice privileges until today. I called again after the previous 2 phone calls in regards to charges for Choice points that I made a little bit ago. My bank account has been off so I printed my bank statements to come to find out that I had several charges for points totaling $49.50. When I called they told me no one there handles that and I would have to deal with some website that takes 24 hours.
I have not 1 charge but 9 charges for $49.50!!! I stay at the same hotel and use Choice everyday and this is how I am treated. My account is missing $445.50!! That is not a small amount. It is a huge amount that has thrown my bank account off for a little bit now. I called my banking institution. They said call the merchant. I want something done immediately because I will not continue to have these charges on my account. I hope someone helps me because I am calling again.
Hello Brittany,
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to improve. I would love to look into this more for you. If you could send us a private response with your Choice Number and the last 4 digits of the card and verify your contact information on the account, we can get started.
Paula
Reviewed Jan. 31, 2019
Never heard of being declined for staying at hotel that’s too close to my home!! REALLY!! Just wanted a quiet weekend getaway from the kids with the hubby just to receive a call saying we stay too close!! What if there was condition where I needed to just be in a safe place close to my job? Pipes burst, furnace went out, even an abusive relationship. I mean come on. This is just ludicrous!! Rules or not sounds like discrimination!! I will be filing a formal complaint!! Must do better!! Why do I have to live 14 miles from hotel to stay at your faculty? That sound really dumb!!!
Thank you for sharing your recent experience, Ann.
We know your time is valuable and truly appreciate your forthright comments to help us improve. To address this matter fully, would you be so kind as to send a private response with your reservation details, so we can check on the hotel’s specific policy?
Thanks, again, for reaching out to Choice Hotels. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Kevin
Reviewed Jan. 30, 2019
Even though I had stayed in Choice Hotels for over the past 15 years, I have been a Choice Hotel member for almost 5 years. For the past 2+ years I have been ill and haven't been able to travel. Because I didn't use my earned points or stay in a hotel, they cancelled my points. I've been told that there is nothing that they can do. I understand that there are rules. However, we are human beings with life circumstances and exceptions can be made. They advertise about making memories. Well, this is one memory that I will never forget with Choice Hotels. I will also let others know of this heartless experience I have had with them.
Thank you for your Choice Privileges membership and honest feedback, Jill.
We value your time and certainly appreciate your comments to help us improve. To thoroughly address this matter, would you be so kind as to send a private response with your membership number, mailing address, email, and phone number? Thanks again, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,Kevin.
Reviewed Jan. 29, 2019
I have been dealing with Choice hotel chain for 6 months with this problem and after today talking with them I will never stay at one of their hotel brands again. It started in summer of 2018 and I purposely stayed at a Choice for several night so I could take advantage of their gift card deals where you could get them for less points. I have sent so many emails to them and then started calling them to find out why I wasn’t getting my card.
I have dealt with them for the last time today as when I called they have told me there is nothing they can do to help me. So not only do I not have my $50.00 Starbucks gift card but I’m out 16,000 points as well. They told me today, "Sorry nothing we can do." To think I went out of my way to stay at their hotel chain so I could take advantage of this deal and now it was all a waste makes me so upset. I have read reviews on Facebook where people have complained about similar things happening to them. Do yourself a favour and stay somewhere else. I will recommend Hilton or Marriott or any number of others. I do a lot of driving holidays all through the States and will now go out of my way to not support this hotel chain. They have lost a good customer and I will be sure to let my family and friends know how I have been treated.
Original Review: Jan. 27, 2019
I am an Elite member and livid! Last night I went on MyChoice app to purchase the deal of 6000 points for $46.20 to book a room for today (Sunday). I entered all of my information correctly but got an error message stating that there was something with my card info so I tried again and again and again and again. Finally I stopped trying. This morning I checked my bank account and I have 6 pending charges of $46.20 on my Wells Fargo Account! I called Choice Customer Service and they said they cant see anything on their side showing that I tried to purchase points and that they couldn't help me! So now, I have a total of $270.00 pending out of my account for points I did not receive! I only wanted one order of points and now I have none, and no money until these charged are reversed!
Dear Allenia,
Thank you for your feedback regarding your Choice Privileges rewards account. The Choice Hotels Executive Customer Relations Team would like to assist you.
At your earliest convenience, please check your private responses for an additional reply from our team.
Sincerely,
Jose A.Specialist II, Executive Guest Services
6811 E Mayo BoulevardPhoenix, AZ 85054
ChoiceHotels.com
Reviewed Jan. 23, 2019
Went online to make reservations at the Quality Inn Downtown Portland, OR. Great non-refundable rate of $88.00. I put the dates in and my wife confirmed them. When it was all said and done, paid for, it was for March instead of February. So I called Choice Hotels and they said since it was a nonrefundable reservation and there was nothing they could do unless I want to upcharge to $130 the first night and $170 the 2nd night. WT-Fudge??? They even sent me to their so-called customer care and they called the hotel in Portland itself asking if they could flip the dates. The assistant manager said NO!
So I told my wife, "Let's eat the $200 including taxes and etc and just make new reservations making sure we had the correct dates." We did that and this time it kept the system kept changing our dates from 2019 to 2020. This time I called customer service and without hesitation this foreign lady took care of our original reservations then and there. No questions! What a waste of my time and theirs. Long time customer, not no more!!! Will stay with IHG Rewards with Holiday Inn. Beware!!!
Reviewed Jan. 21, 2019
We had a horrible night stay at the Oakville Ontario location. Freezing cold room. We actually woke up to snow inside the window ledge! No wifi! Dirty pool. In the morning I was going to make coffee but the inside of the coffee maker was covered in filth!!! It was so gross. I have pictures but don’t see how I can post them here. One of their 2 elevators were broken with the good one getting stuck on the 8th floor. There are so many hotels in this area. I recommend picking a different one!
Reviewed Jan. 16, 2019
This is the second time I have ran into issue with the Choice rewards point website and it has caused me and my fiancé so much grief that I am honestly fed up with how their points system is ran and continues to have technical issues. I tried to buy points on your system with it saying it didn’t go thru, I tried multiple times thinking it might have been human error with card numbers and such and then come to find 4 pending transactions on my account totaling $250 when no transaction actually went thru and now I am suppose to wait days until my funds for something that never went thru because of their website issues is unfair.
This is not ok, it has made my whole experience miserable and now I have holds on my card which there shouldn’t be anything pending if it never went thru. I am truly upset over this and when I called about all the charges was assured by a manager that it would be taken care of and still to no avail. I have the charges still pending.
Reviewed Jan. 3, 2019
I have been a loyal Choice Hotels member since 2006. Today this has been the worst experience I have ever dealt with. I booked a room online 2 months in advance. My bill for the room was $157. When I got to the hotel at Rodeway Inn they charged me $300. When I showed Rodeway Inn my reservation and how much I should be charged they told me it was not my problem it was Choice Hotels' problem. Call Choice Hotels. They figured out there was a problem. They even called Rodeway Inn and they said they are not going to give me my money back. It was Choice’s problem. We had no other place to go at that time so we had to stay and check in and when we got to our room it was nasty. Sheets not cleaned. We called the front desk. They sent in a maid and all they did is try to scrape it off with their hands. We had to ask the maid, “Can we please just get new sheets” and it was like a problem to give us new sheets.
Call Choice Hotels that day to find out regarding about getting my refund. Their member service called Rodeway Inn and they still did not vouch set amount of money for the refund. Choice Hotels member told me that they have to have to override it and it should be taking care of on The day we check out. Today is the day we check out and Rodeway Inn will not give us a price that we were given and Choice Hotels now is stating because I updated my credit card that was on file, due to its expiring that's considered a modification so I cannot get the rate that was given to me. I was very disappointed with Choice Hotels. I'm in the military. I also have AAA and not once did the hotel allow me to get that rate at all.
Reviewed Dec. 18, 2018
I've been a loyal customer of Choice Hotels since 2008. I've probably stayed at hotels 14-20 nights per year with my family. Unfortunately, I make reservations months in advance and pay at that time. The hotel in which I made a reservation, was affected by a hurricane. Choice Hotels called leaving a message that I would have to cancel. Upon returning their phone call, I was given the runaround for almost 2 hours just for them to reassure me that by the time of my visit everything would be fine and they were unsure of who that contacted me. Well fast forward to the day of check-in. I was told that they have no record of or access to my reservation, so I would have to pay again. And I was instructed to call Choice Hotels for a refund.
I immediately called after getting to the room. On the phone over a hour, just for Choice Hotel to put blame on their hotel. They were to contact the General Manager to cancel my most recent stay and reimburse me within 3-5 business days. Which on my account, it does show the cancellation. I called a week later to confirm how much longer it would take for me to receive my money. I was then told there was no refund initiated and it would take 7-10 business days. Well it's now been almost a month since my stay at the hotel and still no refund. I'm really close to contacting an attorney and as well as they will lose my business for good. Because I refuse to pay twice for one reservation, totaling almost $800. Disappointed is an understatement at this point.
Reviewed Dec. 18, 2018
Redeem points is a hassle! Would be better if you can go to the hotel and take care of everything! I don't see why I can't use my points and pay the difference cash! Stupid system! Very upset and I don't care about points no more!
Reviewed Dec. 7, 2018
I saw a Choice brand hotel I wanted to stay in and called for a reservation. The price was 119$. Priceline had the same room and hotel for 71$. I spoke with a rep from Choice regarding this (Janet). She told me to make the Priceline reservation as they could not beat or match the price and I would be given a 50$ payment because they could not beat the price. I was transferred to Edwin in member services to facilitate the reimbursement. He said he can’t do it. Transferred me to his supervisor who just hung up after being on hold for 25 minutes. Avoid this as it is a total scam.
Reviewed Nov. 29, 2018
There was a promotion to stay two night then earn a $50 dollar gift card. Choice Hotels didn't honor their promotion. After several month calls and emails they just give you some points which is useless. The customer service is bad. They just didn't reply your email sending to them.
Reviewed Nov. 22, 2018
My husband and I live in Conway, SC and our chime was flooded by Florence. We have been living in our motorhome beside the house while the house is being put back together. Our motorhome toilet has now broken and we are living with a horrible odor, the repairman won't be able to come until Tuesday to hopefully fix the problem. We called the Comfort Inn at the University to book a room for several nights as we need to be close to home to work with the contractor for replacement paint, flooring, etc and wanted to be close by. We were informed by this hotel that they do not accept reservations from people living in Conway, SC. We were stunned. Hurt upon hurt. No home, broken toilet in motorhome, and obviously living in Conway, SC is detrimental to your hotel. This is wrong and I would strongly suggest avoiding this hotel. Who knows, your state might be next.
Reviewed Nov. 20, 2018
Upon check-in, the hotel staff was very nice and professional. Even went through a great deal of effort to be accommodating when the amenities malfunctioned and we began to smell smoke at the "smoke free" hotel brand. We were moved to another room, but then the cable didn't work, the microwave went out and so did the refrigerator. We were given a free night stay for our troubles, and extended our stay. The breakfast was good and the person in charge was kind and professional.
All seemed well until a staff illegally obtained my credit card information to place a security hold on a future reservation. This action was completely unnecessary as I booked the hotel with my card through the member services account to secure my next stay. I also found out that he charged my card for the free night I was given. I would like to think that a professional business would want to handle this matter quickly and efficiently, but both the hotel and Choice rewards member services made more efforts to cover up and justify as well as lie about the actions taken. Everyone has been avoiding to handle the matter. It appears we will be moving on from this to something better.
Reviewed Nov. 14, 2018
I made a room reservation on November 8th 2018 for my husband to go spend the night when he got back in town. He went to check in but he couldn't because he doesn't have his bank card with him. So I called the Econo Lodge (715 W North Temple Salt Lake City, Utah) to pay it & the hotel couldn't do it too. They want me to show up with the card in person or call CHOICE HOTEL to *PRE-PAID" directly the room & because I'm a hour and a half away from Salt Lake. So I called the CHOICE HOTEL to prepay the rooms. An agent put me on hold for 20 minutes while doing it. Came back & said, "It's done." When I called the hotel back, they couldn't find any "prepayment" on the reservation. It was 4 hours & 10 Service Agents total spending on the phone with Choice them but NOBODY can do something to help us.
My husband was really sick & wanted to take some rest but these people could even do anything to put into a room. So, I end up telling the last Agent to "GO AHEAD & CANCEL the reservation because WE DON'T WANT IT ANYMORE." And guess what? Today is the is Nov 14th, we check our Bank Statement, and this ECONO LODGE HOTEL CHARGED us with $40.45. I called the Econo Lodge & they said, because I didn't showed up. I told them, "My husband was there on Nov 8th to check in & you guys told him, he can check in because he doesn't have the card with him. So the hotel manager transfer me to CHOICE HOTEL AGAIN. Choice Hotel agent came & I told them what happened." After putting me on hold for a while he came up & said, "Sorry but we don't have any record of you canceling your reservation."
I told him, I told the last Agent who I had talked to, to cancel the reservation but instead, "She completely ignored what I told her & now it cost me money." Another agent came & he said he's an active floor manager. Said, "Sorry we can't do anything because your reservation wasn't cancel." Now me starting to piss off because they kept saying the same thing & none of them take this matter into consideration & realized that the agent who help me last forgot to cancel the reservation upon request & did not do her job. I ask this so called manager, "Are you aware of what your agents are doing to the clock?" He said yes. I told him, "NO, YOU'RE NOT. BECAUSE THE HOTEL JUST CHARGE ME BECAUSE CHOICE HOTEL AGENT *FAILED* TO CANCEL MY RESERVATION."
What's worst is, we're a CHOICE HOTEL Gold member & we're one of their valuable customers and we had/have been doing business with them for a long time. Now deactivating our account with them. We rather go & do business with people who really care, listen & know what their customers wants. Lucky they have a star which is they don't deserve to have a star from me.
Reviewed Nov. 13, 2018
Made a road trip to Las Vegas... Stayed exclusively at Choice brand hotels at El Paso, Phoenix, Gallup NM, Lubbock Tx. Out of all these hotels the one at Lubbock was the best. Seemed like a new property, clean and a good breakfast. The other three weren’t that good... It seems that some of the other names under the Choice Hotels are of course franchises that are not “inspected” by Choice. The hotel in Gallup for instance needs to be closed, old, stank, AC didn’t work properly, etc.
One would think that if the parent company allows a franchise to carry its name, that the parent company would occasionally inspect the property to ensure that the property is meeting Choice standards. Of course that if Choice has standards! As I said, with the exception of Lubbock the rest were disappointing. Note to Choice, please don’t try to give me “points” for this review! Actually, I would at this point not consider staying at one of your properties again... I do have “choices!”
Reviewed Nov. 1, 2018
I booked a hotel room from a Choice Hotel for December today. I was afforded an opportunity to consider an offer for a 4 day 3 night or 8 day 7 night trip in 17 different locations after I made my booking. There was a gift Mastercard offer for $150.00 as well for the amount of the trip which means I would literally only be paying $1.00 for this special offer. I needed to pay $149.0 today. After listening to the promotion I was asked to give her a credit card number. When I asked why she needed a credit card number since I had not agreed to the promotion, the Representative became irritated and rude.
I stated that I was not a "frequent flyer with Choice Hotels." She smugly corrected me by saying "frequent flyer" is a term used for airlines not for hotels. Well she literally lost me for sure with that comment. I told her I like to use the term the way I used it and I do know the meaning. This offer was too good to be true and her demeanor made it evident that something about this offer would have me regretting pursuing it. Now I never will pursue it. My research after the fact shows me that some folk have gotten burned with this too good to be true offer!
Reviewed Oct. 24, 2018
I purchased a total of 6,000 + 1500 pts yesterday to book a room. Normally, when I purchase point the points are applied INSTANTLY! This time it did not happen so I was unable to book the room I needed. I called Customer Service. They gave me the runaround, told me my points would appear within 24 hours and I STILL haven't received my points. I called them back, they said they still could not do anything, and then told me it could take up to 48 hours! 48 hours is NOWHERE in the fine print of the contract. I have contacted my lawyer, recorded all conversations, and will file a suit. Choice is scamming loyal customers out of money and offering no refund. I am a Platinum Member and this is EXTREMELY unacceptable!
Reviewed Oct. 24, 2018
Points.com who processes points and payments through ChoiceHotels.com has in limbo 400.00 of my money. No points provided, it has been 2 weeks and no refunds, charges are in limbo pending and no one can return my money nor can anyone contact Points.com. Choice Hotels does not provide a resolution just a simple you must wait and see game. I see from others that this is a constant issue. Consumers purchase points to be advised their credit cards fail only to still have the money taken and no goods provided. And you cannot get the money back BECAUSE Points.com does not have a customer line just voice and no one calls you back. I'm out of 400.00 dollars and zero points. This company is a scam and is committing theft.
Reviewed Oct. 23, 2018
Updated on 10/25/2018: Although I have not finished resolving my previous complaint with Choice, I did want to return to give a separate general review that does not focus on the issue at hand. As a member with Choice, I can say it is my 1st preferred hotel chain, but in certain markets... Choice does not have properties in the immediate downtown/lively areas of a few large cities, which leaves me at times booking through a similar chain... which I can say at times does not always live up to the expectations, so I stick with Choice more often.
I can say Choice has been a very handy company with the rewards points Biggs and savings for fuel. There’s been times I’ve saved 60 cents per gallon because I’d accumulated Choice Fuel Rewards points. And as someone who puts in a lot of miles, it’s been very helpful. I also can say their hotels, whether Quality Inn or Comfort Inn and even some Rodeway Inns have been impressive and comfy. I used to book mainly thru a 3rd party website for my hotels, and get 2.5 to 3.5 star hotels with upscale brands, but Choice has affordable rates and their hotels can be on par with the H and M’s of the hotel industry... without the expensive prices and fluff of room service, restaurants and all that jazz. I now appreciate a quiet hotel that I can get in and get out, without the production. But I still want the space, cleanliness and big screen TVs. And Choice Hotels has that.
I know not everything is Choice’s “fault” as a company, but the reason why I’m docking a star off is because I do feel some of their policy and ways of handling customers at their hotels needs to improve. The hotels are fine, the member perks are fine, but their “roadblocks” can be irritating. Just like today, I need a shuttle to the airport. But my flight is at 4 pm and the hotel shuttle stops running at 12 pm, and again at 5 pm. I normally never need a hotel shuttle anyway... but when I do, I don’t want limitations. They also only go to and from the airport. Years ago I stayed at a hotel and the shuttle took me to Walmart and anywhere within a 3 mile radius. I needed to do the same yesterday, but the front desk said it could only do airport and back.
Also, more Choice Hotels are holding deposits when checking in, even when booking with points. I had waited nearly 3 weeks for 1 hotel to refund $50 in incidental fees... after making 2 trips to the hotel after I checked out. I feel if I’m a diamond member, there shouldn’t be a requirement for me to deposit for a room. I also get tired of the ridiculous, “because if you smoke or damage the room”. Ummm... I’m asthmatic and I’m sure damage to the room will cost more than $25-50.
Purchasing points can be a great buy and has actually been beneficial on several occasions. But I feel they need to look into ways it can post faster, or have some other system of doing so. Seems like it is a 3rd party adding the points. Until then, I may stick with my accumulated and bonus points for booking rooms, versus purchasing them. Also with pets: this chain is not most welcoming for them. At one point couple years ago, I traveled with a pet and I almost needed to give up Choice in order to avoid fees and penalties for having a pet in the room.
Prices: I usually come by good rates, and considering you’re likely to get something remodeled, renovated or new... I can understand it’s not always going to be “cheap”. But in some cities, their prices can get crazy. I was in Pittsburgh once, there was a hotel in the same parking lot that was $60. Comfort Inn wanted $100+. Other cities have been that way also, $150/200 for Quality and Comfort Inns.
Check out times: They say up to 2 pm for rewards members. This is rarely ever honored. Even after 12 pm is rarely honored. They need to allow later checkout times for members with status, and just in general. Most of the hotels have 11 am checkout. I prefer 12 or 1 pm. But overall, if you don’t have pets and can appreciate a comfortable room without needing the extras that the other hotels make you pay for, Choice is a great chain to be with. I just wish they change some things to make it better.
Original Review: I have been a diamond member and member with Choice for over 5 years. I recently purchased 5,000 points to add to existing points so that I could stay at an airport hotel after missing my flight for the day (it’s a 4.5 hour drive from where my parents live to the airport, and I didn’t have much time to coordinate the distance). In the past, I’ve purchased points with Choice before and it would credit immediately to my account. However, I did that today and nothing arrived to my account. I waited an hour, then 2 and longer. Nothing. I spent 1.5 hour talking with customer service and membership benefits trying to sort out why my points had not posted to my account. EACH TIME I WAS ON HOLD ANYWHERE FROM 30 MINUTES TO 45 MINUTES.
In the end, I got nothing accomplished. I had begged them to add the points to my account and reverse the “pending” ones later. They couldn’t do that. I told them I was stranded because I missed my flight and had no transportation. Nothing. I also told them it wasn’t fair. I had spent $55 on points with the expectation of having a place to sleep for the night, only to get told they are in limbo pending somewhere in outer space.
Meanwhile it’s cold, I’m having asthma problems because I’m outside, sleepy, late on returning my U-Haul truck (the plan was to stop at the hotel, return my U-Haul nearby, and catch the airport shuttle out the next afternoon). Yet I have NOWHERE TO GO TONIGHT and Choice Hotels DOESN’T GIVE A DAMN and does nothing to accommodate diamond members. I am highly appalled at how they’ve handled this, and I do intend to be seeking damages from this company as not being denied a room with the money I paid is causing me to have health issues and loss of sleep that I’ve already been deprived of for several days.
Reviewed Oct. 22, 2018
I called Choice Hotels customer service to modify our stay. We decided to travel further down the road that evening and was within time to cancel without penalty. Rebooking our stay at another hotel increased the price of our room to $172... Had I canceled and re-booked through the app, I would have been able to book the room for $127. They would not honor the price difference. I was then transferred to a sales rep for a special that was being promoted for Choice Ascend Hotels. After politely listening to the offer, I declined. I was harassed by the sales rep who put great pressure on me. I had to finally hang up on her.
The hotel we stayed that evening was Comfort Suites in Smyrna, TN. The room was very dirty. The tub bottom was black with dirt. The carpeting was dirty and there was debris all over. There was a lot of hair from previous guests in the bathroom. I also woke up with bug bites. I called Choice Hotels and was told they could do nothing. I spoke with the manager on-site and emailed the general manager and I was only offered a 1000 point compensation towards my next stay by the on-site manager. I was never contacted by the general manager of the hotel. I will never use Choice Hotels for my stays again. There are too many other nice hotels to choose from. I'm so disappointed!
Updated review: Nov. 29, 2018
I did contact Executive Guest Services and was very pleased with their response. They listened, objectively reviewed the evidence, acknowledged the error and refunded the associated reservation that was wasted. I'm still a Choice customer, although Comfort Suites Golden West on Evergreen Parkway is definitely no longer on my list of options.
Original Review: Oct. 20, 2018
I've just returned home from my son's wedding after a very unpleasant experience with Choice/Comfort Suites Golden West on Evergreen Parkway. In short, part of the reservations we made were not in the hotel's system when we arrived. We showed the desk clerk our printed confirmation and eventually ended up with the General Manager, Kathy **. Kathy's mindset was essentially, "when we have a problem like this, we always find that it is the guest's fault, and I'm doing you a big favor trying to help you out with this."
But, after prolonged discussion, showing her the printed confirmation and additionally pulling up the reservations online, her Assistant General Manager, Jackie **, volunteered to step in and did work to do her best to accommodate us. That effort, although unsatisfactory re result, was appreciated. The unpleasant stress of not having a promised room for friends coming to the wedding was bad enough. I think the problem lay somewhere in the interface between Choice and the hotel and don't blame the hotel much for that.
However, it was particularly annoying that Ms. ** was absolutely obsessed with trying to prove that we guests messed up the reservation. Even after we showed her: 1) our printed reservation confirmation, 2) the online reservation under Choice's "manage reservations," she refused to admit that the error was in their system. She said we should have looked at the email confirmation of the reservation because that was the only thing that mattered. I told her that we did, we saved it and I would send it to her when we got home, which I did. Her response was, "You, as the guest, may interpret the situation as our fault, or as Choice's fault. Our team has put in too many hours, I'm sorry. We are unable to work with you anymore." I was flabbergasted with her "may interpret" after what I had shown her. Could it be interpreted any other way?
When we returned home from the wedding I also sent a complaint to Choice via their online customer service. The response I got from them was, "If you would like to contact Customer Relations directly, you may do so by calling (800) 300-8800." I haven't done so yet because I haven't built up the resolve to deal with what I expect to be further frustration. Needless to say we will never stay in a Choice hotel again.
Reviewed Oct. 16, 2018
My wife and I booked a five night stay. On the second day, I reported a man that was drunk and in the hot tub. He had lined up his beer cans around the rim of the tub. He almost fell twice trying to get out. After I reported it, I was called rude by the front-desk clerk. After this, one of the drunken man's buddies taunted me to come see him in an aggressive manner. I spoke with three members of the management. The first two did NOTHING. The last one, watched the video recording, confirmed everything that I had said. He apologized for my inconvenience.
Because the people who were disorderly had a two-year reservation, they were allowed to stay and we were allowed to leave. No refund was give to us for the remaining three nights. I have made more than 12 calls to the 800-300-8800 number. For some reason, regardless of what phone I use, they cannot hear me or cannot help me. I have also sent out a dozen or more e-mails and have posted several times on your Facebook page.
I am now on hold with a woman name ANGELA. Angela has returned and has informed me that she will call me back either tomorrow or the next day. I asked her what time she would call me back so that I can be prepared for the call. She said, "I will call you back in 15 minutes to tell you when I can call you back." (I am not making this up.) Now, since no person from CHOICE has contacted me, I am assuming they will not. Unfortunately, this will involve criminal and negligent charges being filed. I was willing to let it go if someone would contact me. Now, in addition to the insult and injury, I have been billed for 5 nights instead of two.
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2018
So I used Choice Hotels for first time. Cheapest rates. The day of the reservation, I get a call from the hotel and they wanted to confirm that I was coming and then asked the 3 digits on my credit card. I knew they couldn't do anything with that without the card number so I gave it. Same day... Bank calls me. Over 13 fraudulent charges. Over $1400 worth. Had to cancel card and will now have to dispute charges. Got to hotel and told the clerk what had happened and she said, "You used Choice Hotels" didn't you? ". Another customer had the same thing happen that very same day. Bottom line. Run.
Reviewed Oct. 14, 2018
I made a reservation for my family for the wrong date. Being a Choice Privileges member I called the customer support number and told them what was happening and the young lady told me she would cancel the reservation and find a hotel with dates needed and cancel original with no penalty. No problem cancelling both but now it is 3 weeks later and I was still charged for original reservation.
Reviewed Oct. 12, 2018
Their manager cussed me out. They promised they would compensate w/points. The agent said she could offer "1000" points. I asked her, what can I use it for? She said: "It is worth about $100." I said: "Oh so I can apply it for $100 towards a hotel?" & she said: "Yes." Come to find out 1000 points is NOTHING. Tried to escalate to a manager, "Dora", she said: "the agent was right, it is worth $100, you spend about $100 to get to 1000 pts." Told her, "This is not how the info was presented." She said because I accepted, the case was closed. DO NOT ACCEPT ANYTHING UNTIL YOU VERIFY. The agents will lie, verify everything before you accept anything. THEY ARE CROOKS!!! Asked to speak to manager's manager and she refused.
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2018
They claim to price match lower cost websites but did not. I found lower price on Expedia and submitted a claim for the $50 they offer if a lower price is found but they said they could not find the lower price on Expedia. I paid $56.99 plus tax and Expedia is $54 plus tax. I know it is not much difference but they are the ones making the price match claim (if at least a dollar difference they will honor and provide a gift card). I sent their form in and supplied screenshots of the $54 rooms on Expedia. They said they could not find those rooms but they are available at that price and match the room I booked with them.
Reviewed Oct. 9, 2018
I reserved a room using Points Plus Cash and cancelled after noting that the cancellation was "FREE". Instead of refunding the $75 I paid, Choice refunded my account with points. I ended up re-booking at a more expensive Choice hotel ($150/night) and did not use points because it did not provide any benefit. I have come to notice that the points do not get you very far, so I do not want more points. All I want is my $75 refunded. My husband and I travel frequently, and I will not stay at Choice Hotels anymore nor will I recommend their hotels.
Reviewed Oct. 7, 2018
Well... I've been in contact with the customer service at Choice Hotels, for about 2 weeks. One thing that haven't changed is "Every time I CALL" I get a different response. So on September 23, 2018, I called choice hotel's customer service, and filed an internal investigation on one of their agents, because I signed up with their fall promo "Stay 2 Nights, Earn a Free Night", and I received false info from their agent, and of course all of their phone calls are recorded.
So after speaking with a supervisor, I was told that the investigation would take 7-10 days, and I would receive a phone call/email, with the results of the investigation, and be compensated correctly if it's found that the agent provided false information. Well day seven arrived, and I called for an update, now this supervisor told me that the investigation would take 7-10 business days. Hmm you would think that the first supervisor would have known that. So now the 10th business day arrives, and it's around 3pm, and I've received no phone calls/emails, so I call their customer service, and was on hold for about 30mins, when an agent finally picked up the phone, then he tried to convince me that I didn't need to speak with a supervisor, and he could help.
Me knowing that's not the case, insisted on speaking to one anyways. So that was another 25-30mins of waiting on the phone when a supervisor picks up the phone, then puts me on hold saying that he needs to "dig a little more" into this. So that's another 15-20mins. Then he finally picks saying that "they need more time" on the investigation. We then go back and forth, him trying to tell me that they have until 11:59 pm (they are not even open at that time), to resolve the investigation, and me trying to explain that I was told I would have an answer on 10/05/2018. So about another 30mins goes by, and he says that he needs another supervisor on the phone, to make the resolve the case, and that he will call me back the following day 10/06/2018, at 4:00 pm Texas time.
He even says that if he doesn't have a result by the end of the day (10/05/2018) that he will make one the following day (10/06/2018). Well... At this point I knew that they had either found the recording, proving that I was told false info, and they were trying to bide time, or this company was truly living up the reviews on "ConsumerAffairs.com". Turns out it was both. Saturday comes, and it's 4:35pm, and I do not get any calls/emails about the result of this case. So I call, and that takes 30mins for an agent to pick up, then another 15mins to talk to a supervisor. When the supervisor picks up, she admits that they have closed the case, and did find that their agent provided false info. So at this point I'm thinking, final. All calls/waiting will pay off, and we can move on.
"LOL" nope, she then tells me that as a "favor" to me, she will add 5,000 point on my account. Now keep in mind that most hotels require at least 8,000 points to redeem a "free night", and those are the bad properties, btw, either way 5,000 points doesn't provide enough points for a free night. So I then break down, the number of stays on my account I qualify for (4 stays btw), then she tells me that even though Choice Hotel, lied to me, because 10 days has past, the system pulled my other stays together making me 1 stay short in order to earn a free night.
Now keep in mind I know that she is lying. So I explain that my 4 stays should 100% count on the promo, even though two of the stays was put into an investigation, so she finally sees my point and says, I have to "contact the backends" to see if I can resolve this, and I will give you a call back today (which was another lie, btw). She asks for my number, and clearly all of my info is right in front of her. I tell her my number then she hangs up. Well it's 8:22pm. And I've received no calls /emails. This is truly gutter trash behavior, and it's insane for a company to behavior as such. All of the reviews on this site seems spot on about this company.

Reviewed Oct. 4, 2018
I seriously believe that The BUTTA BOOK BUTTA BOOM commercials might be one of the best advertising campaigns I have ever seen but the associated reward program is beyond bad. It is misleading and deceptive to the point I would use the term fraudulent. I could go on for pages about the difficulties I have had with this program and with the staff at the Customer Relations Office both in their understanding and their ability to resolve issues. Other reviews on this site detail the exact problems I have also had with this program but I will try and keep my complaints succinct and straightforward.
First you should know that on THREE occasions I have met the qualifying requirements of staying two separate nights to earn a free night but those additional bonus points have not been added to my account until AFTER I phoned to see why they were not in my account. Each time it was "they were not automatically applied but I will now manually apply them." I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO MONITOR MY ACCOUNT AND PHONE TO HAVE THEM CORRECT THEIR MISTAKES.
But here is my major complaint. In the Spring Promotions season I choose to stay in what I expected to be a rather low class hotel in Kelso, WA. It was the Econo lodge and was only about $50 per night so I didn't expect much. I was not disappointed....It was a dump! However when combined with my other night's stay I supposedly qualified for the bonus points to bring me up to 8000 points so I can get a free night somewhere. Now I don't expect to pay for two nights in a dump and then stay a third "free" night in a real nice place but here's the rub: That dump of a hotel in Kelso is 12,000 points per night! So, if I stayed two separate nights in that dump in Kelso WA the "Bonus" points in the butta book butta boom promotion would not be enough to let me stay in the same dump that I earned them! If that is not misleading I don't know what is.
For at least the third time I called to vent at someone and without raising my voice or swearing or blaming the employee I told them that I will be using up the bonus points and moving on. The wife says she has already signed me up for Best Western rewards so wish me luck.
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2018
Stayed there for a week. Staff was great EXCEPT housekeeping! Poorly maintained rooms and stole items from luggage. I was there with a church group for 5 days. A few of us were missing items. My suggestion is to keep an Inventory of everything you packed and check your luggage on a daily basis. Management only says they will look into the matter. Doubt if they ever do. Take it upon yourself to make sure you are not violated as I was.
Reviewed Sept. 29, 2018
I’ve booked through Choice Privileges for 20 nights due to home renovations. I’ve purchased points through the website, the 1st 2 times I’ve purchased went through with no problem. Points automatically appeared on my account. The 2nd 2 times I never received my points which came to a total of $129.70. My funds have not been refunded. I purchased a total of 12000 points. They only gave me 1900 points as a 1 time courtesy which hasn’t helped me at all. Then also I tried using my points they awarded me along with the points I purchased was a total of 6000 plus $15. They have told me 2 different lies.
I have my bank statement stating that Choice Privileges charged me. I have 1 recent and they are telling the transaction failed. If that were so the funds should still be in my account. They don’t value their customers. They sent me an email regarding the transactions saying my account wasn’t charged but I have my receipt and bank statements. Do not purchase points through them. They don’t have a direct number you can call to see about your points purchased. It’s an automated system. The company is a complete scam.
Reviewed Sept. 25, 2018
I had booked and paid for two rooms with Choice Hotels three months before my planned travel. The area I had planned on traveling to was struck by Hurricane Florence, and a few days later I received an email from Choice Hotels informing me that the hotel would not be operational by my expected visit date. They did not refund my payment. I contacted them on the phone and got the runaround from them as to how they could not answer about the refund as of yet, to give it a few days. It's a week later and I still have not been refunded and continue to get the runaround from this company. Their operations license should be revoked, they are nothing but crooks!
Reviewed Sept. 22, 2018
0 rating if we could. We book hotel rooms 4 days a week. My husband and I have spent 2 days on the phone with Choice Hotels customer relations. We booked a hotel last month for a trip we are leaving for in 9 days. The hotel manager called us to cancel our reservation due to an overbooking glitch. I believe we have spoken to 7 employees, 4 hours reiterating the situation (even with a case #), still no resolution. Honestly, we should be getting paid for all the English lessons we've provided! Does anyone speak AMERICAN PLEASE! So disappointing.
Don't waste your time with this company. They don't have any qualms about not honoring their rewards program. They told us to go to the hotel because they have to honor our reservation. What a fiasco! We would spend the day driving around Boston trying to find a place to stay. There goes the tours we booked for that day. Does "sorry for the inconvenience" really cover that? They don't care if you actually have a room when you get to your destination. In fact, they just don't care. They also don't allow you to review them directly on their website. All reviews have to be submitted for review by them for approval before posting. It's more than apparent that this company leaves little to be desired. We have started a new hotel program and will not be looking back. Happy trails to you all. :)
Updated review: Oct. 14, 2018
Our matter was resolved. Company got back to me quickly. We were given credit in choice points to use on our next booking with any choice hotel stay. We resolved our complaint also against Hotel Rates.com with whom we used online to book our room. Very satisfied.
Original Review: Sept. 18, 2018
This was one of the worst experiences that I have ever had in a motel. Price gouging regarding paying up front on Hotelrates.com - knowing people were stressed about evacuating for hurricane Florence. We were overcharged and had to pay in full online in order to guarantee a room to stay in. Waited in lobby until check-in time. Coffee maker did not work. No DVD player in room. The telephone in room was not connected to service. Boasted about having HBO which was a lie. On the last night the remote was stuck on one channel...could not change channels on the TV itself. The freezer was frozen over. There was prostitution going on in the back of the motel...looked like regulars lived there on a permanent basis.
The pool was closed from the day we got there until the evening before we left. This was due to chemical problems. I realize that the office did all that they could regarding our bill. Our neighbors who also evacuated because of the hurricane were charged $ at 310.00 for 3 nights. Our bill for 4 nights was closer to $620. Now corporate offices will be getting a letter regarding this horrific experience. The BBB will be contacted and a complaint made to SC regarding price gouging. Bottom line, even though it is right off I-95 in Hardeeville, SC, you have better luck sleeping in your own car. This was from Sept. 12 thru Sept. 16, 2018...due also to a mandatory evacuation. Regarding the next hurricane, they will have to carry me out bodily.
Dear Diane,
My name is Kari and I work with Kevin and Paula in the Executive Office for Choice Hotels.
I am sorry to hear of the experience you endured. Please allow me to apologize on behalf of Choice Hotels that we did not exceed your expectations.
I show Paula has sent you an email today regarding this matter. Please refer to that email for any further assistance on this case.
Best Regards,
Kari S.Specialist II, Executive Guest Services
CC: 9220696
Reviewed Sept. 14, 2018
I am having work done in my house, so I planned to stay at Quality Inn in East Haven Ct for 4 nights, I obtained a rate of $360 plus change for four nights. The people working on my house then said I might be able to go back to my house, so I only booked 2 nights. I am sitting in my Quality Inn room as I type this, I called the front desk to extend my stay, because as of now I can go back home Sunday AM, they want a higher rate now, so I called the 800 number and they also wanted a higher rate for the room I'm already in. I can't believe they would rather have me check out than give me the rate I already had. They said, "Sorry have a good night." I'm sorry too. I will never stay in a Choice Hotel again!!! I too was a long time user of Choice Hotels, not anymore! And that free night using points, never happened, what a farce.
Reviewed Sept. 10, 2018
1st of all it started off on the wrong foot by being charged $4 more than my email confirmation stated. That should have been enough warning. Then within the 2 hours I was in the room I found someone else shorts behind the bathroom door and long hairs all on the shower walls. Which tells me the room wasn't cleaned properly, even if at all.
My 1st instinct was to ask for another room, but when in the lobby after hearing another guest asking for a room change due to unclean conditions I decided to check out since it appears that was common of their rooms. I was told I couldn't get a refund because now they couldn't rent the room to anyone else. The way I see it the room wasn't fit to be rented to me.
When telling this to the hotel GM he kept interrupting me without hearing my whole story, I said, "Dammit please just hear me out." (Yes I shouldn't have said that, but he wasn't listening, Then he said ** you and hung up. That was totally appalling.) When calling customer support franchise they weren't any help. So I would suggest staying away from Choice Hotels. Especially the one in Clinton SC... but with no remorse or help from corporate, I would suggest away from the whole brand.
Reviewed Sept. 7, 2018
I specifically stayed with Choice Hotels during business in the past year to take advantage of a rewards promotion that promised enough points for a $50 gift card with just a few nights. I accrued the points without problem, but never received a gift card. Initially I was told to wait 4-6 weeks. Then I was told it wasn't their problem. There's no tracking number, and I haven't received any mail from them. It's unclear if they actually dispatch rewards, and considering they doubled the point requirements for gift cards recently it seems likely they weren't happy with how many people sought redemptions and fudged the whole thing, knowing that they were technically not liable for things "lost in the mail". They won't restore the points or cancel the gift card and aren't particularly gracious about any of this. Stick with another hotel chain.
Reviewed Sept. 7, 2018
An absolutely atrocious hotel, avoid at all costs. My wife and I were traveling from Chicago to NE Tennessee with our infant. We checked into the hotel room, started emptying luggage and went for dinner. Came back, wife went to use the bathroom. The toilet still had a previous poop, I felt like we were in a 3rd world country and it was smeared all over the toilet bowl. Plus there was dog or cat food on the floor which we noticed when we were packing up the first room.
They gave us a new room, but blamed their cleaning staff for this problem. I never did receive a survey which their corporate office says is randomly sent to people. I have never received one in 9 stays this year at various Choice Hotels. Do not believe any of the reviews as they will be cherry picked. Also, in the first room, my wife accidentally left her night splint gloves, which the hotel said they mailed back to us, 14 days later, nothing, no tracking number. When I called customer service, they offered me 3,000 points which I respectfully declined. I have a case number opened for follow up, but please avoid this particular hotel at all costs.
Reviewed Sept. 7, 2018
Choice Hotels- Guaranteed lowest price -I don't think so! I made a reservation in April for 2 rooms for 5 nights at the Carmel Oaks a Clarion Hotel which is part of Choice Hotels. I received a reservation confirmation that stated I could cancel any time prior to 9/8/18. On Sept 4th I cancelled one of the rooms and received an updated confirmation. The new confirmation was for the remaining room with an increase of over $400.00 for the 5 days.
I then called the Choice Hotels reservations to find out why they changed the price and was told they would start an investigation that would take 7-10 days. After several more calls I was told that they could do nothing about it and the General Manager at the hotel would have to agree to make the change. I called the hotel and left a message for the GM and he did not return my call. In my opinion they have no ethics and could care less about the customer. My Recommendation: Do not book a room with Choice Hotels and NEVER stay at the Carmel Oaks in Carmel, CA. PS. I cancelled my remaining room and made a reservation at a Best Western with a better price and location.
Reviewed Aug. 25, 2018
I cannot give a 0, or else I would. They give offers of stay nights get one free. When it's off points system. You get 6,000 points to use on a stay which you cannot book free a free stay anywhere with those little of points. Lowest points to book is 25,000. Of course this was not told to me when I booked stays for this promotion. I spent from 10 am to 3 pm on phone to them today. Talked to over 24 different people with them finally tired of me and told me to just to call actual hotels and complain. Do not support any Choice Hotels.
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2018
I made a reservation at their Quality Inn in Champaign, IL with 6,000 points & $15 dollars. Next day I canceled it & made another one for the next day instead, same thing, 6,000 points $15 dollars. Ended up canceling it too. When I checked my bank account I noticed they had not refunded any of the money. So I called them to ask why. They said, "We give it back in points instead." I said, "But you haven't. I don't have any more points now than I did before." I first made either one of the reservations. They argued with me about it. I told them, "I know how many points I had, & they are still the same I'm telling you."
Finally I said, put this in your report, you will never rip me off for another dime, as I will never step foot on another one of your properties again. Money hungry bunch of thieves. The last one of their hotels I stay in, in MT. Vernon IL, the maid purposely hung a filthy rag back up for clean because she was angry with the owner for not giving her a promotion. & I without realizing it in time, used it to sponge bath & contacted a bladder infection. Nice huh?!! There are better, way more honest, not so greedy and cooked hotels around. Stay away from this horrible company!
Reviewed Aug. 16, 2018
I was lied to on the phone and when I called back and emailed got hung up on once and ignored by email. Extremely unhelpful. After waiting 30 min hold again. Never deal with them. They are useless and a major waste of your time.
Reviewed Aug. 15, 2018
While booking a room online I was charged 3 times for the same room. After calling customer service I was told not to worry I won't be charged. Well lo and behold I was charged, some days after no refund I call customer service again and after having being transferred from agent to agent back to the same department I had to ask for a manager whom finds my extra charges AT LAST!!! So after 30 minutes the first call and 2 hours the second time I still gotta wait 3-5 days for my money to be returned (almost 2 weeks total). So I'm booking elsewhere now on out. Oh they got their points back ASAP. Wish I had my money ASAP. Nice job Choice.
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2018
We have been customers for over 10 years. We book rooms all over the Southeast and have at least 3-4 rooms a week. We have spent way over 6 figures with this company. Someone hacked into our account online and booked 5 rooms at the Clarion Inn in Atlanta. They never showed up. we lost 240,000 points because of this. We never book online - always call to make reservations. Choice will not give our points back to us, even though we did not book this. We spoke to probably 5 different people (after holding on the phone for over an hour) and they would not budge. Guess what??? Choice has lost us as a customer after all these years. They are rude and do not care about their guests.
Reviewed Aug. 7, 2018
After over four years of their so-called rewards plan I have yet to get a single free night or any alleged benefits. In addition in my latest stay the hotel lied about amenities and refused to accept my points. Their room had bugs, blood stains on sheets, no Internet service as advertised and the place was shabby, yet they charged top dollar. Several written complaints to corporate HQ were responded to with lies about an alleged investigation that apparently never occurred as to this date, over a month later, I have yet to get a reply. I will never patronize one of their hotels again.
Updated review: Nov. 21, 2018
Company messaged me very promptly and made it clear that I actually agreed to non-refundable rate. Acknowledging my fault, company deserves better than 1/5. Upgraded to 4/5.
Recommended company to make minor adjustment to checkout portion of website to encourage the user to give pause to read required checkbox text. I zoom through those things and assume it's some banal legal agreement, but that's still arguably my fault. Nonetheless, it's constructive criticism to help them avoid future idiots like myself.
Original Review: Aug. 5, 2018
I consider myself tech savvy, and your website, combined with your business practices really screwed me over tonight. I used Google Maps to search for a hotel earlier in the day, and booked it thru your website. OF COURSE I wanted it for the same day, but your website pulled a cute, little stunt and set the reservation date to a MONTH in advance, and the best part? You snuck in another little trick - "*no refunds, teehee! ". I'm now stuck in a small town, Starbucks parking lot, 800+ miles from home at 1:40 in the morning, and I'm going to share my discomfort with you. I need only to point out your "no refunds" policy for something made within 24 hours and a month in advance to highlight your parasitic lack of character in business.
Reviewed July 28, 2018
I travel quite a bit on business and a Choice reward privilege member. I have read some of the bad reviews but my experience has been quite the opposite. All of the ones I have stayed in have been clean and the hotel staff has been friendly. I have had a couple of issues but were corrected quickly. The breakfast is okay, I usually just have fruit and yogurt but they offer eggs, bacon, ham, or sausage, biscuits and gravy, waffles, toast, cereal, juice, and coffee. It is free so why would anyone complain about it. The reward program is great. I receive free nights, gift cards, and extras through the rewards program. You also get room discounts through AAA, AARP, and some others. All in all a pretty sweet deal.
Reviewed July 27, 2018
I made a reservation through Choice Hotels. I then had to cancel, which I did. I received a text less than 18 hours before my check in time to remind me of my reservation. I had canceled it a month earlier. I went online which was useless. I called the customer service line and was spoken to in such a condescending manner, put on hold several times, disconnected on their end while being on hold. In the end I was on with Choice for nearly two hours. The customer service agents did not listen, interrupted me, basically told me I would have to paid the nearly 800 bucks for the several days of room that I had cancelled well before the cut off to cancel without penalty. I was lied to by one guy, given totally wrong information by a couple of others then lied to again by another women. Everyone said that there was nothing that could be done since I paid in advance.
I did not pay in advance. I specifically pick pay when you stay and no penalty cancellation options. Even if I had paid in advance, I should not have to pay if I followed the rules for cancellation. Then this woman put me on hold telling me she was going to speak with the hotel directly. After a long hold she got back to me and told me that they said they could do nothing at their end. I asked for a number so I could speak with hotel manager, she told me that the hotel manager would not be in until the next day, after my check in time. Her answers were always, "I dunno, I can't do anything about that, I am not in a position to help you with that," basically the most useless customer service person ever. I could not stand being on with them any longer and my phone was going dead so I got off the phone.
I managed to get the number to the hotel and a really nice clerk told me what had happened. I cancelled my reservation, they had a record of it, but apparently, the reservation system recreated it!!! (Without my consent or knowledge.) He talked with the hotel manager and then fixed the problem and confirmed that I would not be responsible for even one penny... Unlike the choice agents told me the only option was to waste nearly 800 dollars for a hotel room I would not be at. The clerk sounded really young yet he was efficient and polite, unlike the customer service professionals who were not efficient, honest or polite. What is the point of Choice Hotels??? They do nothing. I have never ever received any kind of benefit. Somehow my stays in the past always disappear and I am never ever eligible for a free night, or a gift card or anything. Choice Hotels is a useless, misleading, dishonest company.
Reviewed July 25, 2018
Choice Hotels sent me an email stating I would receive a $50 gift card for staying twice and the cost would be 8000 points. When I logged in I mistakenly applied for a $100 gift card and was sent a message that the transaction was invalid. I then applied for a $50 gift card. Choice then deducted 32000 points from my account. When I contacted Choice to rectify the matter the answer was basically, "Too bad." This is a company that is not friendly to even loyal customers. Beware.
Dear William,
Thank you for your feedback. We take these matters very seriously and we would be happy to assist anyone with their Choice Privileges account. If you would be so kind as to private message us at crexecutive@choicehotels.com with your Choice Privileges member number and any pertinent details, we can check into this for you. It would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Kari S.Executive Guest Services
CC: 9154865
Reviewed July 22, 2018
Bathtub faucet didnt work. Staff that checked us in was rude. He talked to me and my wife like we were idiots because he didnt know how to program a door key properly. Way overpriced. Cost us 95.28 for 1 night, found dirty panties behind nightstand.
Reviewed July 16, 2018
Rodeway Inn Beloit, Wisconsin - I made a reservation on the Choice Hotels website. The reservation was for July 13-15th. I arrived late on the evening of the 13th. It took over a half hour to check in. I was assigned to room 145. I went to that room, opened the door, and the bed had clearly been slept in. I went back to the front desk and advised that I would need a different room. I was told that they were sold out and did not have another room for me. At this point, another guest arrived at the front desk and held out his phone to show pictures of bed bugs that he found in his room. I said I wanted to be put up in another hotel and asked that they make the arrangements for me. I was told that "I'm new. I don't know how to do that and I don't have a manager's number to reach to ask them."
I call the Choice Hotel reservation line and explain that I need them to put me up in another hotel. I was told that there were not any hotels in the area. It was then suggested to me that I sleep in my car and contact their customer service line when they are open. I was also told that they would be happy to cancel my reservation, but I would have to pay a cancellation fee in order to do so. I was told they would not contact another hotel on my behalf because it was not their policy. I could pay out of pocket for another hotel and submit for reimbursement, but they would decide if it would be reimbursable after I submitted it. I'm not going to risk that.
At 1:30 in the morning, I drove 130 miles back home, slept for 2 hours, and drove 130 miles back to be at my meeting in time. I emailed the general manager and asked for a full refund as well as reimbursement for my tank of gasoline that I used driving 260 miles that I didn't have to drive. The general manager emailed me back letting me know that she was doing me a favor by refunding me because I had a reservation that was non-refundable, non-cancelable. She did not say anything about reimbursing me for my additional out of pocket expenses. I do not feel that I am being unreasonable in asking for that compensation. I will never stay at a Choice Hotel again. It has been too much of a nightmare dealing with them. To be told to sleep in my car is beyond unacceptable. There is no way they provide any customer service.
Reviewed July 15, 2018
I made a reservation in April in Lawrence, Kansas for my son's wedding in July. I was diagnosed with cancer in June. I called the hotel and asked if I could change the reservation from Thursday-Wednesday to Friday-Sunday. They said I had to call the 888 reservations number. The first time I called I was on the phone 45 minutes and put on hold several times. They hung up on me at the 48 minute mark. I tried to call back and the representative told me "sorry no changes, you already paid for it!" I will never deal or stay with a Choice hotel again. I usually go through hotels.com and I made a huge mistake trying to get a better deal. Customer Service will win over price every day for me.
Reviewed July 13, 2018
I made reservations on the Choice app, like I do almost every week. Received my confirmation number. We drive 4 hrs to the location. Which was supposed to be a birthday surprise for my daughter. Only to hear we didn't have a reservation. I gave the hotel my reservation number still couldn't find it. After 3 hours of trying to find out what happened. We had to leave and find a place to sleep for the night. I called choice the next day AGAIN to find out there was a mistake and those rooms wasn't supposed to be released. They returned my points that I used and offered my 32,000 compensation points.
I received my 32,000 points that I used. But never the compensation points. I tried to call to use those points. And was told that they couldn't give them to me because whoever took my call didn't put it in the notes. I asked if they recorded the call. She said no. So there was nothing she could do. But say sorry we drove that far and didn't have a room. I'm a diamond member at that. I give Choice hotels at least $400 every week almost and all they can say is I'm sorry. This is awful customer service and an awful way of showing their appreciation. Especially if it was their fault I didn't have a reservation.
Reviewed July 12, 2018
In May 2018 This company's web software made reservations for me at a motel in Colorado Springs, Colorado without my confirmation. On another reservation the web software reserved me three rooms for the night. I was able to correct the second error but I did not have internet services so I did not know about the fraudulent reservation in Colorado Springs, CO until a few days after the reservation date. The motel (Roadway Inn) refused to refund their ill got money.
Reviewed July 10, 2018
This is the first time I have used an online service for hotel reservations. I usually just contact the hotel directly. I called this company this morning for a reservation in Washington during The Lavender Festival. I told them where I wanted to stay and I had a pet. The hotel I mentioned is 'dog friendly'. The rather rude and diffident operator said there was no availability. I called the hotel directly and OF COURSE THEY HAD ROOMS. So I booked by myself. What a completely useless company. All the TV ads for this type of service and it is a complete scam.
Dear R. A.
I'm writing on behalf of the Executive Customer Relations Department of Choice Hotels International.
We would love to hear more about your experience, so we can ensure this is addressed appropriately. Please feel free to contact us at crexecutive@choicehotels.com or at 1-800-435-8595.
Sincerely,
Kari S.
Executive Guest ServicesCC: 9133723

Reviewed July 7, 2018
If I could give 0 stars I would. I booked using Expedia and got notified of a $60 price cut. Expedia called the Choice Hotel to allow me to cancel and re-book in real time with them on the phone. Mike, the lead clerk in front desk, refused. He said he would allow the cancellation only if I re-booked a different day. He seemed untrustworthy especially when I asked how will I know you will actually comply since I have to book again before he would cancel. He goes, "I guess you will just have to trust me. Haha." Like I am going to trust him after talking like that to me.
Anyway, I only had this one day plus why did it matter. It is supposed to rain anyway so no one will be there probably. Expedia then asked to speak to General Manager but Mike said the General Manager would say NO! Now, I am going to this hotel tomorrow knowing that I am overpaying by $60. Think I am going to enjoy myself now. NO. I WILL NEVER STAY AT ANOTHER CHOICE HOTEL AGAIN!
I called Choice Hotels' corporate office and they sided with the hotel stating the hotel can do what they want. My business goes to companies that value the customer. Since this one proved not to give a crap about the customer but only their own pockets, I have learned NEVER to do business with them again and hopefully this review will save you the heartache I feel right now.
Reviewed July 2, 2018
Shoreline Inn Muskegon, Michigan. On top of the $740.00 for 3 nights (which is WAY overpriced for that area and that hotel) I paid an additional fee for waterfront reservations, (I don't mind paying extra for nicer things). We were invited to a wedding in Muskegon on Saturday and I wanted to ensure we would have a nice relaxing weekend.
Well it turns out there was some kind of speed boat races in Muskegon that weekend and 6 or 8 or the boats were staying at the hotel and parking in boat slips directly below our room. Which I was totally cool with until they BLARED music until almost 1 AM and were right back out there revving their engines (VERY LOUD) and making all sorts racket "WAY" too early the next morning. Now I'm not one to complain but this was ridiculous, so when they sent me a survey about my stay I mentioned the Excessive noise and some of the other problems I encountered during my stay. (Outdated rooms, elevators in desperate need of maintenance Etc...)
I then received a E-mail from the assistant manager, stating that the races only come once a year and are not Common to the property. So I guess what that means is my satisfaction and capability to get some sleep means NOTHING!! I guess I was supposed to have known about the races but I live almost 3 hours from that area and had Absolutely no idea about the boat races or what's COMMON to the property and the area. Just like I'm sure she would have no idea what's Common to the lake I live on. I would think a hotel with any class at all would warn its patrons about the noise of the boats when taking "WATERFRONT RESERVATIONS" Especially if the races are Not Common to the property.
They could use a customer complaint dept. with people dedicated to customer satisfaction and making things right when patrons have a bad experience instead of taking the stance that the customer should have known better, Sweeping it under the rug and basically saying it's not COMMON so it's no big deal to them. Choice Hotels... is a Choice you'll REGRET.
Reviewed July 1, 2018
A few years ago we rented a room at a Quality Inn near Indianapolis airport. When I sat down in chair in room, the bottom slid and a used condom fell out on the floor. When I went down to the front desk to complain, I saw why. The "help", (maid), was on the computer "for the customers" and the manager DID NOT CARE or do anything about my complaint. Their new slogan just begs to be added too, and made me think of our experience, so there it is. I'll never stay at any Choice Hotel ever again. I've seen cleaner old motels and Motel 6's.
Reviewed June 26, 2018
Made a reservation through the Choice Hotels website for a Quality Inn in Brookfield, WI for King Bed, 3 weeks prior to a stay for a family reunion. Upon checking in we were given a standard room with a double bed in the pit of the hotel. The room had food on the night stand, black crud on the bathtub floor and brown stuff on the doors and dripping down a wall. Let the front desk know this was not the room we booked, they changed our room and then added 10$ per night to our stay. When I went to the front desk, again, they provided an adjustment of the 50$.
Fast forward to check out and we are charged to 50$ again. When we asked for a receipt they provided all but the last page with the total on it. Check my email which has the WHOLE receipt and see the additional 50$ charge. When this is brought to the hotels attention, they make excuse, make the adjustment, again, but also now show we have a balance of 50$ due. Call the corporate customer service line. The first person we talk to gives us the same lines the hotel has, and then we request a supervisor. After a 25 minute hold we are finally connected with a "supervisor" who again tries to give the "You only booked a standard" (nope looking at the reservation with 1 KING BED in bold at the top). Finally she does some quick adjusting to get me off of the phone.
STAY AWAY FROM CHOICE HOTELS! Their business practices appear to be scams wherever possible and blame the customer. Rooms a filthy, customer service agents are rude. CHOOSE HILTON OR MARRIOTT... THEY APPRECIATE THEIR GUEST. If you have to stay with Choice check your credit card and your bill.
Reviewed June 25, 2018
Choice hotels: What a terrible service! They cancel a motel booking and I can pay for it!! They don’t refund me, keep sending me to the hotel itself while I booked/done business with Choice hotels! They didn’t believe me when I said I didn’t get the refund! Even called my cc company to let them check. Nothing. And they kept telling me it was refunded. Also let me pay way more for the ‘new’ motel without even offer even a little bit of a compensation. They made me feel like a liar!! They steal your money and if you expect anything close to service, you can drop dead!
Reviewed June 20, 2018
The corporate Choice Hotel staff is very well versed in how not to grant you the "free" night you've earned! In my opinion their promotions are an absolute joke. There's really no need to go into ALL the details because I could go on and on and it wouldn't change a thing. Just trust me from experience. If you ever get to actually use one of their promos, go the same day and buy a lottery ticket because you are on a one in a million streak!
Reviewed June 18, 2018
I've stayed at Choice Hotels for years. Overall, the Comfort Inn hotels have been clean and the service at the hotels adequate. But the corporate service... that's another story. Good luck on ever getting a 'free' night. They are sloppy at best of keeping up with your points and stays. But you'd better hope that you don't have an issue that you can handle while you are at the hotel. I changed hotels upon arrival due to the location and the sketchy front desk people (Cheyenne, WY). I changed from Quality Inn to Comfort Inn in the same town and asked Quality Inn to cancel my reservation.
3 weeks later I get a charge on my card. It took 6 phone calls and a customer service supervisor to finally get someone to respond and credit my account even though they could see and confirmed that I stayed in another one of THEIR hotels. The customer service group is a joke. They just make promises, they don't care about your loyalty or your time. They don't try to make anything easy for the customer. The Comfort Inns are overall ok and up to now I've been satisfied but watch out if you are really wanting a frequent stay plan or there is a mistake somewhere. You have to be a pitbull and I don't have time for that and there are too many other options.
Reviewed June 12, 2018
I had probably ten loyal years that I stayed in Choice Hotels using the Choice Privileges Card. Gathering Points. Stayed a loyal customer and without warning they deleted years of points I had compiled. I called the Corporate Office and all they offered to do was give me half. And this was only 2 weeks after they deleted them. TERRIBLE COMPANY!!!
Reviewed June 11, 2018
Their website says something in contradiction to their actual policy regarding making any changes to a booking. Other motel chains I have dealt with realize that we can have unwanted disruptions in our travel plains, so they allow changes, such as arrival date. Choice Hotels does not give you any such options. Furthermore, their customer service people don't speak or understand English. I guess they don't want to hire Americans for that job? Can they honestly expect repeat business? They treat their customers like DOGGY POOP.
Reviewed May 30, 2018
Never ever book this hotels. I booked a hotel in Hersheypark (Quality Inn) and I got a confirmation for them and I was set to have fun but when I reached there they said they didn't got my confirmation and they charged me full price of the hotel saying that, "The manager will come tomorrow and look into your problem and refund whatever is charged other than your booking." Since it was 11 in the night and I was tired after going to Hersheypark I agreed to them. The next day I went to front desk and asked for refund. He said, "I can't give you refund. You need to prove me," and I can't do anything since he is just employee.
Part B the hotel stinks like **, the floors were not vacuumed, there were hair in the bathtub, the dryer was not working properly, the shower head was rusted and also I saw a mouse running in the corridor and moreover breakfast was ** old. I paid $160 for all this and I am regretting it now. I don't know what to do but I have asked my bank to dispute for this charges that what I can do since no one is helping. But that old freaking guy will pay someday to the people like him.
Reviewed May 15, 2018
On May 8, 2018, I made a reservation for May 25-27, 2018 for a room at QUALITY INN & SUITES AT DOLLYWOOD LANE (3756 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN, 37863). The confirmation number is **. I made the reservation online at Choicehotels.com. I paid $150 using my VISA credit card in addition to 12,000 points. I received confirmation of the reservation by email. The reservation clearly stated: "Cancellation Policy: You can cancel this reservation free of charge until May 23, 2018 before 4:00:00 PM local hotel time."
On May 13, 2018, I cancelled the above reservation by logging into my online account at Choicehotels.com (Cancellation Number: **). I received confirmation of the cancellation by email. However, the $150 was not refunded to my credit card. I have proof through my credit card transactions that the $150 was charged to my account on May 9, 2018 but was never refunded.
On May 15, 2018, I called Choice Hotels at 800-424-6423 at least four times and every time was transferred to the number 888-770-6800 from where I was returned back to the same people. The last person I talked to was Aldo (Employee id **) whom I requested to transfer me to a supervisor and he responded: "I cannot transfer you to my supervisor at this moment". So it seems, Choice Hotels is in the business of stealing people's money.
Reviewed May 12, 2018
Stayed in a suite in Ankeny Iowa for 1 night and the room was nasty. Called front desk as soon as we got to the room asking for a clean bed spread and then had to ask for towels, coffee, cups and things because the room was NOT stocked with anything. We will NEVER stay again.
Reviewed May 11, 2018
I received an email from Choice Hotels asking if I had recently changed my profile on their site. I couldn't remember having accessed the account for months so I called the number provided. I asked if they had been hacked and was told by the service person that the reason they had emailed me was because someone had changed information on my page. After looking at my information the only change had been the email address (changed to **). I again asked if Choice Hotels had been hacked and the service person said that they were receiving many calls from customers on this issue but refused to say they had been hacked.
My personal page had only limited information, as that is how I approach the internet, but the hacker had access to my home address and my cell phone number which was of concern enough. I asked the service person if choice hotels would send me an email stating that they had been hacked or that my information had been compromised that request was denied. I asked to speak with a supervisor who started to tell me that the access to my account may have been through my email or some such thing which made no sense and denied they had been hacked. She was less than forthcoming with information or apologies of any kind. Those of you who are Choice Hotels members may want to check on the status of your accounts but don't expect much from the service personnel. Change your password at least.
Reviewed May 5, 2018
Be very careful when booking at the Econo Lodge in Paw Paw MI. A relative booked a room - after reading on Booking.com that there was free cancellation and her card wouldn’t be charged. Well, that was wrong. They charged her card immediately and then we’re going to charge her another 400+$ to cancel. When I physically went to the hotel and confronted the desk person he stated they had nothing to do with that and it was Booking.com’s fault. They also didn’t seem to care that Booking.com’s booking site said free cancellation etc and he said there was “fine print” that stated booking was final. My relative did manage to contact Booking.com who told her that the hotel was indeed in charge of everything. Luckily her money will be reimbursed - but not for a week. This “Choice Hotel” will never be MY choice again!
Reviewed April 30, 2018
As I am writing this review, I've been on hold for 50 minutes for customer service. I recently stayed at a Comfort Suites in Manheim PA and was told by a very friendly and eager first desk personnel that I should sign up for their rewards program, that it is super easy to get a free night stay and that my two nights stay would count towards the points. She even told me about the number of points I would get, roughly 1360 points. I told her that I have a couple of trips coming up and that I would then book through the program. Well, in booking for my future trips, I had to overlook cheaper and far more convenient hotels thinking that I was building points toward a future free stay.
I came to find out that my 2 night stay in Manheim would not qualify for points since I booked through a group rate even though I paid for close to $400 for two night stay. NO ONE ever advise me of this. Choice Hotel should educate your front desk personnel and not have them falsely represent the program and entice the customers to take actions they would not otherwise have taken. I was basically lied to. When I tried to address this issue with customer service, I was placed on hold, now coming on one hour! POOR POOR customer service. I would never use these hotels again.
Reviewed April 28, 2018
I booked a hotel for Corpus Christi, checking in Saturday, and checking out Sunday. We came to town for an event at A&M for my daughter. When originally making the reservation, the online site confirmed a hotel in Lubbock Texas, not Corpus Christi. I had to immediately go in and cancel. Upon arriving at the hotel, Sleep Inn and Suites, I was told my reservation was for the prior date - checking in Friday, and out Saturday. This is impossible as I double and triple checked all the information seeing the first go around I had been confirmed for the wrong city. Not only was I charged as a no show, there are no vacancies. The customer service support center is closed and I have no one to speak to. This is awful. The absolute worst service and site for reservations. Never again.
Reviewed April 27, 2018
I have been a loyal customer of Choice Hotels for years and am a Diamond level member. We book rooms 4 nights of every week. My daughter qualified for Regionals Track Championships in Stuart, Florida. I went on Choice Hotels to locate a hotel near the track and Choice Hotels came up with Suburban Extended Stay (there were only 3 hotels in the entire area - not a big bustling place) so I booked the room.
We arrived at 10:30 at night, the check in clerk was excited to see us as she just worked a double and told us we were the last people for the night. Gave us the room key and as my daughter and I walked up to our room, we noticed a lot people hanging around in the parking lot drinking making a big ruckus and people just hanging around hallways. Well, when we opened the room door, we were blasted with mildew, pee smell and smoke smells. The beds looked like bananas. They were so warped. Mold all over the place and tons of patched holes in the walls.
Needless to say, I didn't even let my daughter sit on the bed. I immediately started calling Choice Hotels (over 7 times trying to get someone and when I finally did, they transferred me and I got a recording that they were closed for the night) and decided there was no way I was going to stay there with my daughter, we couldn't even breath because the smell was so bad. As we pulled out of the parking lot, the office light was off and closed up. I drove to a Best Western down the street and booked a room. I called Choice again and spoke with the reservations department and basically, nothing I can do, you need to call customer relations tomorrow.
I called Choice again and after a 30 minute phone call, basically, they said the hotel will give you 1/2 a refund and you can leave a review of the hotel. Spoke with a supervisor who said, "Well, how about I offer you 4000 points to offset that." I told him that doesn't even cover one night (min. night is 8000 points). I wasn't agreeing to paying 1/2 for a room I couldn't even stand in for 20 minutes and then pay for another room the same night. Well, nothing we can do. Well, looking at other reviews, Choice Hotels needs to stop the Badda book Badda room ads and work on their customer relations. The rooms are facilitated on Choice Hotels, they get a portion of every room reservation from the hotels, they are just as responsible for horrible experiences at locations they provide through their site.
Reviewed April 21, 2018
I booked rooms at two different Comfort Inns for two different stays (one after the other). Due to car problems, I had to cancel both and re-book at the second location for several days later. I cancelled well before the deadlines, and all of this was done directly through their corporate online reservations system. It turns out that while on my computer screen it said that I cancelled, neither cancellation was recorded in their system, and I was charged a no show fee by both hotels. Fortunately I printed both cancellations to PDF files.
First time I called their main number, but was told that I had to call customer service, which was closed. When I called customer service, the representative spoke poor English and didn't seem to understand my problem. His supervisor spoke English well and understood the problem, but she couldn't help. I had to send an email with my proof of cancellation, and was told it would take up to 10 business days to get an answer. I finally got an answer after 19 days (13 business days) and a second follow-up email. Their answer was that they couldn't do anything for me - despite me providing proof, and the fact that these transactions have to be available to IT even if they didn't fully process.
I contacted my credit card companies (each cancelled reservation was on a different card) and filed disputes. I was so mad that I emailed the Choice Hotels CEO, Patrick Pacious, directly. I received a reply from his executive assistant the next day. Her title is "Executive Assistant to Pat Pacious, Reputation Management". Interesting how their reputation must be so bad that they need a special person to help with that. It says a lot that his assistant's real job is managing their reputation as opposed to helping their customers.
They couldn't issue credit card refunds because the hotels are independent of corporate headquarters, but they offered to issue me a check for a full refund of the $173.01 billed in no show fees. I asked for 4 free nights as compensation for all of my trouble and aggravation, which was ignored. While I didn't necessarily expect to get what I asked for, you would think that in light of the situation they would want to make some gesture of goodwill, but they offered absolutely nothing other than refunding the money they tried to cheat me out of. I sent them my address for payment.
I didn't notice it at the time, but one line in the letter said "Please keep in mind, checks are issued from our corporate headquarters in Rockville, MD and can take 4-6 weeks for delivery." I realized this the next day upon receiving a follow up email from another representative that reiterated the 4-6 week time frame. This company appears to be incompetently managed from top to bottom, and it is no surprise that their CEO also previously ran their IT department. A reputable company would put a check in the mail within a day or two and I would get it in the mail within a week, especially when it was a total screw-up on their part.
While I notified the credit card companies of the situation, I also informed them that I want to keep my disputes open until I actually get the money. I don't trust this company one bit. I'm going to wait a week after depositing the check to make sure it clears. I'm going to further complain and demand cash payment for the value of the points I earned during my re-booked stay. The points are worthless to me because I will never stay at any of their hotels ever again, and I don't have nearly enough for a free room.
I was actually satisfied with my hotel stay. I don't want to mention the location because none of my problems are the fault of the hotel. It was further from the downtown area of the city than I was led to believe, but I got a good price for a decent room. Nothing fancy, but nothing to complain about either, and the staff were professional and courteous. Their properties are all 100% smoke-free, which was a big factor for me in choosing Choice Hotels, and I didn't smell smoke anywhere or find degenerate smokers huddled right outside the entrance door, which is common where I live in the NYC area. So I am really disappointed that Choice Hotels is no longer an option for me.
Reviewed April 19, 2018
Last year on a business trip in Vegas I needed to stay at the client designated property, Tropicanna. Being an IHG Plat Elite, I wasn't familiar with the property's website or booking direct with them, so thanks to Google I was funneled to Choice Hotels - Huge Mistake! When I arrived I learned that my room was already booked by the client, so I contacted Choice, spoke with an uninterested CSR and explained the situation. TS, they would not cancel the room and the room was $20 more than what I could have received at the front desk. $179 pissed out the window for their crappy and expensive experience.
Having been with IHG for many years, staying at their properties all over the world, I've never been treated as poorly as I was by Choice Hotels. In fact, IHG makes changes near Effortless and Simple, too bad Choice Hotels, which lives through a continuous battery of catchy false advertising is such an industry slouch, badda book badda boom! You can't beat IHG or the free breakfast at HIE. :)
Reviewed April 17, 2018
We stayed at a Choice Hotel in Frederick, MD (Sleep Inn). The hotel charged us for damages to the room without notifying us. Yet they never stepped foot in the room during the stay. And we didn't do any damage. For over a week I tried contacting the hotel (phone calls, email, and visits) each time being told they couldn't help us and there wasn't a manager there or getting a voice mailbox that was full. We got no response to emails. I finally contacted Choice Hotels themselves. I was told to wait 72 hours to allow the hotel to respond and if it wasn't resolved to call them back and they would take care of it.
I gave them 4 full days before contacting them again. I was then told that they couldn't do anything! That the hotel is independently owned! When I argued that they were still a part of their hotel chain, I was told they still couldn't do anything. So, don't think you have them backing you. They are allowing these hotels to do what they want! Worse hotel experience I've ever had!
Reviewed April 17, 2018
I have been a loyal customer of Choice Hotels for years and have even been a Diamond level member. I have stayed countless times (months and months) over the years with Choice Hotels. I recently started purchasing points at a discount (i.e. 30,000 points for 238.00 instead of 299.00). I wanted to use points on a stay this coming weekend at the Sleep Inn in Franklin, TN. When I checked the rates on the Choice Hotel site, the rate was 114.99/ night. Having over 29k in points, I went to use the points for a free nights stay. Choice wanted 30,000 points for a 114.99 room. That makes me paying 238.00 for the room in points.
I called customer service and complained. They were very nice and sympathized with me. I asked for a supervisor, and got the same polite response. Upon grilling her, she finally admitted that it was the individual inn that set the points. I will address the manager upon check in about this. Folks... you're getting screwed and not even kissed. So long Choice Hotels. I am keeping my reservation in London in July, but that's it. Screw your points.
Reviewed April 13, 2018
A big runaround on using points on account. Wait so many days and then most of all points taken away over and over again. A big joke for a rewards. All other chain hotel rewards are way better. Very disappointed.
Reviewed April 6, 2018
Worst customer service ever. The hotel went bankrupt and Choice Hotels does not answer their customer service phone, or respond accurately to emails. After 7 calls and being hung-up on instantly, I talked to a human and she hung up on me. I would give them NO STARS if possible.
Reviewed March 27, 2018
Econo-Lodge in Beckley, WV was such a fabulous hotel. They make you feel like you are staying with a friend. Safe and you can bring your beloved pets. Nice grounds to walk the dog and conveniently located near great restaurants too. Top notch!!
Reviewed March 23, 2018
Slept in room 200 bar on 3/17/18. I rented the room for five people. My son & step-daughter & my two grandkids. The bed I had was the couch bed & it was awful. Someone should check this couch bed, it is sleeping on springs. Awful. I had to use couch cushions to try to sleep. I don't mind paying for good quality but this was far from good. Wish someone would get back to me, regarding this problem. Thanks.
Reviewed March 23, 2018
I had a number of stays that involved me extending the visit beyond the date I originally booked. Each involved a weekend but since their system is apparently not set up to automatically credit me for this, I had to contact Customer Service. After multiple attempts, I finally spoke to someone in the correct "department", but they could not access my stays from their computer. I was asked to locate the confirmation numbers and call them back. Whose computer system doesn't permit access by customer service personnel to their own members' accounts? I was told when I contacted them about extending my stays and they indicated that their system would automatically credit me properly. That clearly did not happen. Customer service inadequate and not worth the time I have spent attempting to resolve this issue. Cancelled my account and will find another program to join.
Reviewed March 20, 2018
Quality Inn and Suites Eau Claire WI NOT PET FRIENDLY - We have stayed here in the past and had no problems and always walked away happy. They have changed a lot since our last stay in January. The major reason we stay here is they are pet friendly ($15 fee) and have a nice pool and hot tub. They have changed their pet policy in the last month and your pet must go with you at all times and can not be left in the room alone. So, if you are going to a hockey game... your pet is left staying in the car. If you are going sightseeing, your pet must stay somewhere else. We were going to a very important awards ceremony the day we arrived and were told this. Lucky it was just a nice day... not too cold and not too hot so we let our Yorkie stay in our truck.
When questioned about why they changed the pet policy she said "we have had too many dogs left unattended for hours at a time and they bark and scratch at the door and do damage to the carpet." I explained that our dog is 12 years old and Kennel trained. She said it didn't matter. The dog had to go with us. Another problem we encountered was that the maids that clean the rooms bring their children to work with them. They feed them breakfast off of the guest breakfast buffet. We are talking plates of bacon!! No bacon was left on the buffet but their 2 kids were eating it in the hallway on a makeshift bed they had for the kids. We will not return. For 15 dollars more a night we can stay at the Stay bridge where our pets are welcome and also have a full kitchen.
Reviewed March 15, 2018
I reserved a Suburban Hotel through Choice Hotels and canceled the reservations via website. I received a cancellation email, however, I was still charged $152 by the hotel as a no show. Everyone is giving me the runaround because there's no cancellation number in the cancellation email I forwarded everyone. I will not be using neither services again and I am filing a complaint with the BBB.
Reviewed March 7, 2018
I was an elite member of their loyalty program who had not stayed with them for a period of about one year. I had 20,000 points that I was planning to use for a free stay. I made my reservation many months ago and was told that their complicated "rewards booking windows" meant that I had to make a normal reservation but then switch it over to a rewards stay closer to my actual planned stay. I followed their instructions to the letter, but when I went to use my points I discovered that they had not told me that my points were set to expire before their suggested date to use them! I contacted their customer service, rewards program, and even the Company CEO (Patrick Pacious) and was treated indifferently. They refused to take responsibility for their mistake or offer to make amends. I will take my business elsewhere! This company obviously does not care about their clients!
Reviewed March 7, 2018
I’ve been a customer of this group since 2008 and have accumulated a good amount of points over the years. Yesterday I made a call in order to book a room, but after 10min on the phone and multiple attempts of the employee to confirm the booking, I was told that there is a system error and that I’d be called back with the confirmation number. This never happened. I called back a few hours later and re-booked the room and was told they’d send me an email confirmation. This never happened.
I downloaded their app, in order to view my booking, but had forgotten my account password so I had to call to reinstate my account and create a new password. This was handled well, but now my account states that I have 0 points and no bookings. Frustrating! Not a fan of Choice Hotel’s booking service and online system! I think that I will avoid staying at their hotels in the future, I've had fantastic experiences with Hilton & Marriott group hotels before without any such drama and frustration. I still don’t have any confirmation that the room I booked for tonight is actually confirmed.
Reviewed March 7, 2018
Room was 132 and was horrible. Everything was so disgusting. Bad customer service and poor management. Reported to BBB. And on top of all the disgusting amenities they took my driver license and never returned it. Called front desk and manager and they are saying they don't have. Had to make police report and report them to my bank... Stay far away. I took pics of room that will be posted and reported them to Choice Hotel. Front desk clerk Jhale was sneaky and very rude...
Reviewed Feb. 23, 2018
Thanksgiving weekend we stayed at Quality Inn on Palm Bay Rd, in Melbourne Florida. We paid approximately $130.00 a night, I tried to book there again for the weekend of March 2, 2018 and was told the price is with a senior discount $227.00. This is outrageous, how does a price increase $100.00 in less than 3 months. We are Choice Rewards member and we didn't have enough points to use for a free night. They told us it is now 30,000 points per night. Amazing, in November it was 10,000 points.
It amazes me that on one of the busiest weekend of the year the price was lower. When I called to make the reservation the agent who tried to help was no help. When we travel we always stay at Choice hotels, guess that won't be happening any longer, I can get better deals with hotels.com. We have several trips planned for this summer so I will stay wherever I get the best price. Your advertising is so out of context, the lowest price is a joke. Botta Bing Botta Boom, What a joke. We did book a hotel for that weekend in March for 2 nights at half the cost of yours. Thank you very much for nothing.
Reviewed Feb. 20, 2018
Recently stayed at Mainstay Suites 640 Federal Blvd. in Denver for three nights. Extremely helpful and friendly desk staff. One of most pleasant experiences at a hotel. I have been staying in hotels for over 50 years and very seldom rate or review. Francesca and Jess at front desk made stay wonderful. Very nice hotel, clean comfortable, and amenities were first rate. Would highly recommend this hotel.
Reviewed Feb. 14, 2018
I made a reservation for 3 rooms for work travel, and had to call to cancel them when our plans changed a couple hours later. I called the hotel and explained the situation, and was assured that all charges were cancelled. Later on I discovered only 1 room had been cancelled, and I was charged as a no show for the other 2 rooms. I called the hotel (Quality Inn Pleasant View, TN) multiple times over the next 4 months, and was never able to speak to the manager. I was told the manager was not in and would call me back each time, which never happened.
I also called Choice Hotels customer service multiple times, who refused to help, left numerous messages for the hotel manager as well, and would not give me an email or recorded transcript of our conversations, or any other way for me to document my numerous attempts to resolve the situation. This is completely unacceptable behavior, and my organization will never use any Choice Hotel chain again. I plan to file a claim with my credit card company and take every recourse possible to hold this company responsible for their erroneous charges.
Reviewed Feb. 6, 2018
I stayed for five nights at a Choice Hotel in December that I booked myself through their website. The points for these stays were not reported, and I submitted an online form for missing points. When I looked at my account the following month the points were still not reported. So I took great pains to find a phone number and was connected to a customer representative who not only was giving me the third degree but whose English was close to impossible to understand. It was a frustrating call that did not resolve the matter. I can only conclude that their rewards program is a bait and switch, designed to get people to stay at their substandard hotels but who promise they do not intend to deliver upon.
Reviewed Feb. 4, 2018
I travel a lot. I've stayed in at least 100 Choice Hotels a year. I've seen it all, been in all of them. I am a diamond member as well. Corporate needs to seriously look at their properties, they're terrible. Hotels falling apart. They don't fix anything. Their staff are overworked and underpaid. One lady told me that nobody in the hotel made over $9.00 an hour. The breakfast you get is unfit for a dog. They need to raise the standards of these places, nobody is held accountable. The showers I complain all the time, don't have any pressure. You don't feel clean. They recently changed their bars of soap to a new kind. Used to have the green one, was real good. Now they got a white one that makes you feel slick. Almost like you're trying to wash suntan lotion off, and without any decent pressure you can't get the crap off of you, (probably because it's cheaper), but it just sucks!!!
On top of all of that, last night the lady gave me my room, when I opened the door, somebody was already in there!!! We both had the same number on our door keys!!! That's never happened before until last night! All I can say is this place needs some love! Why doesn't anybody do anything about it! Their customer service is in crappy El Salvador for God sakes, and they'll keep you on hold forever!!!
Reviewed Jan. 12, 2018
I am appalled that I cant cancel a reservation with 24 hours notice. There is nothing on my confirmation notice that states 48 hour notice, you cant find it on the website (if it is there it isn't part of an FAQ or readily available). When I called the hotel, they won't cancel and when you call direct (which is where I placed my reservation) they won't cancel it either. It is the height of flu season and people get sick. 24 hours is more than enough notice. I will dispute the charge on my card bill.
Reviewed Jan. 7, 2018
A total let down. It was a waste of time, and bigger waste of money! The jacuzzi had big pieces of black material floating in it. I myself drained the tub and cleaned it out. I refilled it and tried again. The same thing happened. I notified the front desk, and I was told he would have to call the manager. I waited about a hour and I didn't hear anything back. So, I walked to the front desk where I found the front desk clerk asleep. I never once heard from management.
So at checkout, after NO response from hotel mgmt, I told the agent about our situation. He blamed it on Jackson (ms) water in general. He apparently didn’t realize we lived in Jackson area. It’s NOT the reason. He offered nothing to compensate for what happened. I had to ask what they were going to do. He asked what WE expected him to do. He ended up discounting our rate 15%. That was IT. He showed no concern. This was a very special anniversary evening we had planned. The jacuzzi was the highlight, or was suppose to be. Will not recommend it to anyone, and it’s a shame because it’s a nice hotel otherwise.
Reviewed Dec. 19, 2017
Absolutely no customer service. The person I had to talk to about my bill was never available. Double charging, desk staff (usually there was nobody at the desk) couldn't answer any questions. Double charged.
Reviewed Dec. 18, 2017
I went to Portland, ME on Dec. 13th or 14th should I say as it was 12:30 am. My thoughts were that I was booking for the 14th due it being after midnight. I was in trouble at the airport with a no cancel or refund booking. Both the Clarion Hotel in Portland and Priceline agreed to change the reservation for me and I was so happy and relieved. THANK YOU!
Reviewed Dec. 16, 2017
I have stayed at numerous hotels & Comfort Inn by Choice Hotels has always been a favorite. I stayed four days & checked out just to change from personal pay to my business paying. The next day I waited my reservation & was asked to leave the lobby & property because I didn't yet HAVE a room again. The next morning I parked at 8am to pickup my coworker who was staying there also, I was in my car on the phone in a parking space & the same woman came all the way down to the back & told me to leave AGAIN! I wasn't trespassing, I wasn't damaging anything, wasn't drunk or disorderly, not a thing I'd done wrong.
Then the next night I was told privately that I couldn't be on or near the property without having a room. But at this point I refused to reserve with them ever again. My coworker checked out and moved next door to best Western. It was a horrible and embarrassing experience. We called the manager who is never there, KEN, he's never called back. Choice hotels customer relations was called 7 times and nothing has or was done. Not a thing.
Reviewed Dec. 15, 2017
Yes I got a cheap rate at the hotel I booked ($35 with taxes and fees), but the room is not fit for a dog, let alone a human being. There's a huge gap at the bottom of the front door and gaps around one side. As soon as I walked into the room I smelled a disgusting cinnamon smell used to try to hide the musty odor in the room. The carpeting is disgusting and you can't walk on it without shoes on. There are tiny sugar ants around the sink. The people at the front desk also lied to me about there not being a noisy boiler in the room next to mine that woke me up early the first morning I was here. They acted like they had no idea where the noise was coming from.
Reviewed Dec. 8, 2017
Choice Hotels Jacksonville, NC - It was great. The outside patio was absolutely amazing. The rooms were just like a little apartment and I would have loved to have lived there as it was equipped with all that you would need...
Reviewed Dec. 3, 2017
Love the easy access and location in Grand Junction, Colorado. They are pet-friendly and the staff is so friendly, even laughed when our puppy escaped to the lobby by himself. Free breakfast is not the best, but it is filling.
Reviewed Dec. 1, 2017
The hotel was located in Savannah, Tennessee and like most of the Choice Hotels I use now instead of the Hilton brand - a decent bed, shower, and reasonable price (under $80.00). You never know what you are going to get and the areas are not in the best locations as far as safety and crime, but I just want a reasonable priced hotel that has a decent bed and shower because I will not usually be there but one night. I used to stay at Hampton Inn but they are just not competitive in price anymore - 30%-50% higher in cost.
Reviewed Nov. 30, 2017
This hotel in Rhode Island (I can't remember the name but it was a Choice Hotel) was great for what we needed. The room was on the smaller side but other than that they had a very nice breakfast and very nice helpful people at the front desk. We had a great time and the hotel was nice!
Reviewed Nov. 29, 2017
I was advised one thing over the phone and after checking in it changed. I was not allowed to use the handicap parking even with the credentials. I was inconvenienced because of lack of communication among the staff and management. The staff did not try to make any accommodations for their mishap. No care or concern was shown.
Reviewed Nov. 29, 2017
Clerks are very helpful, cordial, friendly, and courteous. The facility was updated in 2016 and its food service area was enlarged. There still needs to be upgrades, fixes on floors. The basic breakfast is heavy on carbs, lacks sugar-free for diabetics, and fruit is too small and overripe.
Reviewed Nov. 28, 2017
Very Friendly Management and Staff at the Kissimmee, FL location. They are very accommodating and a pleasure to work with. They go out of their way to make everyone feel comfortable, yearly reunion held here. Have honored reunion pricing, for years, great value for clean & comfortable rooms, excellent management, and attentive and dedicated staff. Always ready to be of service.
Reviewed Nov. 27, 2017
Choice Hotels are located nationwide and the check-in always is efficient and friendly. The rooms have always been, while not luxurious, certainly conducive to a good night's sleep. Sound insulation is generally good, and there's plenty of hot water for a long shower. I have stayed in many Choice Hotels properties over the past 50 years, and when I'm making reservations, they are always my First Choice.
Reviewed Nov. 26, 2017
The Choice Hotel in New York City, Wall Street, USA has good value. In general I find Crown and Choice Hotels packages and discounts can help reduce rates, and that is an advantage, especially with "family" rate... But often location not first rate, but ok.
Reviewed Nov. 23, 2017
The Quality Inn in Vernon, Indiana, PA was VERY comfortable and friendly. Will stay again at this location, else no due to Choice not fulfilling their stay benefit offers.
Reviewed Nov. 6, 2017
Wow.. Where do I start. I was blown away by my experience. I should have got my money back, but I was far from home and wasn't familiar with the area. The room was a smoker room. I requested nonsmoking. The carpet was dirty and the room had an horrible smell. The room was old and outdated. Then to top things off I saw a couple of roaches. I paid to stay two nights. I complaint to front desk. There was a shortage of rooms.
The next day I tried to shower, The room ran out of hot water, I was flabbergasted. I called front desk again, the gentleman said he had to reset hot water, which took a few hours to reset. I was very disappointed. The room didn't look like the picture posted on website. Then the so called breakfast they give you is terrible. This is the worst hotel (EconoLodge) I ever stayed in. I wouldn't recommend this hotel to my worst enemy. I was so uncomfortable. I just left the next day. I couldn't bear the site or continue to sleep in this dump. The health department needs to go and shut this place down.
Reviewed Nov. 5, 2017
I visited Denver on 11/01/2017 thru the 11/05/2017. I reserved rooms at the Quality Inn near Denver airport. I had issues with my card, but was able to receive money out of the ATM. I paid cash for the room. On November 4th I received an email that a charge was placed on my card for the stay that I didn't authorize and it was a card that was previously on file from my last stay. I realized the receptionist didn't charge me for one of the nights in which, I had employees discount rate. Therefore, it was okay.
Later that night, I checked my bank account and noticed that I was charged on another charge for a 109.54 in which I previously paid cash for the room. The receptionist I was charged that rate for November 4th because I hadn't checked out. I showed her my previous reservation which stated I booked the rooms for those dates. She said, "I believe you but the manager is not here to authorize your money back." Mind you, my flight leaves on the 5th and she said the general manager won't return until Monday. So I asked to speak to a manager, she stated the manager won't be in until 11:30 pm. I never knew an organization did not provide a manager on duty at all times. This experience has led me to not to stay in another Choice Hotel. I guess it's call Choice because they have a choice to charge any card you have ever used with them.
Reviewed Oct. 30, 2017
We have gotten to our room and to my dismay it was not even cleaned and the toilets were dirty and not done. Also, the biggest problem was to find small blonde hairs in between the sheets. We have never really had issues to this magnitude here before and my wife and I are a little upset at this point. We have always stayed for our church convention and have always had a dirty room issue. Also, there is no housekeeping in the hotel at this time. This is totally not the service that I envisioned when we booked again. I would like to be compensated for this room and the price taken off of my bill. Our room was never cleaned upon our arrival and I was told by the GM Sharonda **, that housekeeping MISSED our room totally so you all charge me off the BAT $800 for an UNCLEAN room!!! This was Day One!!!
This is Day Two - At this point, I and my wife are past irate. We have come back to the room from a long all day church trip to find our room NOT CLEAN at all! The bathrooms were not cleaned, the trash from last night is not emptied and the towels are all over the bathroom floor. Room service knocked on the door this morning and we were still here and they never came back to clean this room nor my Pastor’s room. This is past ridiculous at this point and I need for this stay to be compensated and points for my continued inconvenience as well! Your urgent response is well appreciated. This is NOT the standard at which I have known Choice Hotels to be or the standard at which service is metered. I need some immediate attention to this matter because I refuse to continue to have or even think about paying for less than subpar service!!!
Ok now I have tried to give your hotel another chance and book a room this past weekend for 2 nights, October 26 & 27, 2017. I got to your hotel at 3:30 am to go to a funeral and to be there for the family of the before mentioned funeral ceremony. I again got to a room in YOUR HOTEL, and to my utmost surprise, I pulled the covers back to find hairs and stains in my bed for the second time in a stay at YOUR HOTEL within the past 2 WEEKS. This is totally unacceptable and to this, the HOUSEKEEPING should be reassigned, realigned or just bluntly putting it DISMISSED.
I have never in my 50 years of living, have I encountered the issues of cleanliness at an establishment such as yours {Florence, SC} and the continued dismissal attitude of not really taking care of this continued issue. I have and will take my displeasure and comments and concerns to the highest levels of your organization. I will continue to sound off on this issues until I see changes, upgrades and a moral commitment to getting things done better with such a once great hotel brand and organization. I do need someone to immediately respond with some attention to this matter whether with a spoken call, email or something!!!
Reviewed Oct. 30, 2017
As an airline pilot I can quickly see why this company has hundreds of bad experiences with an overall rating of 1 star. They are terrible to work with. I booked a hunting trip and pushed button, not realizing since it was so for tomorrow and site had rolled me to next month tomorrow. Called them immediately and asked them to change it or credit me amount for new reservation. No luck... they are not willing to work with you at all. Stay away from this outfit.
Reviewed Oct. 26, 2017
My husband and I traveled to Hazard Kentucky to see our daughter, a traveling nurse living temporarily in the area. We looked at several hotels in the area and chose this one through Travelocity. We have a truck, and brought an ATV with us. There was NO outside lighting. There were large dusk to dawn lights in the parking lot but none ever came on. I asked at the front desk and was told the lights are on timers and would turn on soon, this was 930 pm. After three days there were no lights. The lamps inside the room were unplugged and we were unable to use them, since receptacle was behind the bed. The hotel lobby had no lights on. Only a small light behind the desk area. I appreciate saving energy but not at the risk of my safety. Don’t stay here.
Reviewed Oct. 25, 2017
They require a 24 hour notice, only certain website prices are valid for this program. They have long hold times and foreign agents that are hard to understand. The other program, stay 2 nights get one free, also requires a 72 hour wait after the second stay to use. Lots of small print with this company.
Reviewed Oct. 16, 2017
Well let's see here. I never check in. I called and canceled my reservation for 10/13/17. They said ok with the cancel anytime. Well we got charged for it anyway. Called them up on my wedding day and they told us we had to call customer care so we said ok. Well just so everyone knows they are not open on weekends so we said we'll just call Monday. No biggy. Well Sunday came around and they charged us for Saturday. Well I double checked my confirmation email to make sure it was a one day stay. Yes it was so called them up asking for a manager. This time got one at 45 min.
He then said it was a prepaid room. I said, "What?" I had no knowledge of this so I said well fine but it was a one day stay. He said, "No, 2 days." I said my email says one. He told me all I can do is call customer care. I told him, "you give me a refund or I will sue for fraud cause I had not consent to the second day." Well here it is the 10/16/17 called up care number they gave me and they said no refund. Ok so I did inform them I will be contacting a lawyer just so I can get my money back and then some and the expense of the lawyer cause it's not right being charged for something I never received and even cancelled it so as of right now I will never ever recommend this place to anyone.
Reviewed Oct. 16, 2017
I stayed at a Choice Hotel - Quality Inn in Deep Creek. I wanted to call Customer relations about how that hotel needs desperate help in general upkeep. The hotel was in total disrepair. If I were Corporate, I would be embarrassed by the reviews and the way the place is being run. I called Choice Relations and was on hold for over 45 minutes. What we were charged for this hotel was what we should have paid for a decent looking Choice Hotel, not what we stayed in.
Reviewed Oct. 14, 2017
I have been a member for 2 years. In the beginning it wasn't bad. Good prices and not bad stays. The more you spend and stay the more you see their hotels have mold and breakfast that has mold on it. Smoking in no Smoking rooms is at every hotel and nasty when telling them of the mold and how your kids have bad asthma and there are guest smoking in non smoking rooms that are coming into your room. The staff no matter what Choice hotel does not care. They have a Choice rewards that is a joke. The more you stay the more get screwed. The most nasty worst hotel company! How they pass an inspection is beyond me cause more than one hotel had mold.
When calling Choice to inform them of the issues they in so many words say sorry nothing they can do. Insane how in America now you spend money and have people from other countries treat you like crap and scam you. I will only stay at Marriott. They maybe a little more for the stay but it is clean and they treat their customers with respect. Marriott doesn't have mold and smoke coming in their hotels where it's putting customers health in danger. Why have customer complaints websites and phone lines for all ways of informing companies of the issue if they do nothing about the problems and these companies taking customers money having a unsafe hotel and getting away with the nasty disturbing unhealthy surroundings. This would be why people just America and think it is a joke!
Reviewed Oct. 14, 2017
Unwilling to address a mistaken booking. I had booked a hotel for what I thought was Salem Ma as indicated in my search for Oct 14th and 15th and ended up with Salem VA for the 16th and 17th. I contacted the booking agency right away and they were happy to call the hotel and try to cancel it. The "chain" hotel said they needed to call back on Monday. I called later in the week to see if the booking had been cancelled or credited, I explained the situation and was told that it was nonrefundable and they hung up on me for I could offer other solutions. I have no use for a room in Virginia on a Monday!! I am a full time student and this extra money wasted is nothing to corporate "Choice Hotels".
Reviewed Oct. 12, 2017
This place was hotel hell for safety. Toilet stools were so low. Grab bars did not help. When you ask for a handicapped room and this is what I found. Shower was not for handicapped person either. When they say they have a king size bed or queen what was there was a full size. When I made the reservation I was told a king would be in the room. And I also asked about a roll-away bed. They said they had none. When you pay good money for a room and then prepay which I did that was my first mistake. You can not change when you find and then you lose more money. This place was in Barrington IL. I will never ever stay at it again. I want my money back. I also have pictures that was sent to the main office. The next will be sent to the newspaper in Schaumburg IL. Thanks for nothing.
Reviewed Oct. 2, 2017
I made a reservation on Friday September 29, 2017 for Oct 10, 2017 at the Rodeway Inn in Albuquerque NM. The confirmation came back as a reservation for September 29th instead. I then made another reservation at another one of your hotels. This time in Amarillo at the Quality Inn for that same October 10th stay. I immediately called the Rodeway Inn.
After waiting 15 minutes, someone answered the phone then put me on hold. I gave up after 20 minutes and called back again. The number continuously rang. I tried again, no answer. I then called your reservation system. I talked to your representative who also tried calling. Again, no answer. He then gave me another one of your numbers for customer service (800 300 8800 **). I called several times spending more than an hour and a half wait time. No answer. I then tried the same number with extension **. No answer. I again tried calling your customer service number again on October 2, again. No answer. I had planned on several stays along my route with you. I will now cancel my reservation in Amarillo. I would like a refund for charges at Rodeway Inn. If no response from you on this email, I will send a copy to every travel blog and review site available.
Reviewed Sept. 27, 2017
I haven't been able to set up an online account. I have thousands of points that I would like to use but can't. I have tried calling several times. I wait on hold for over 20 minutes. Get no help and then I am transferred around. No one can help and I eventually get transferred back to where I started. They suggest sending an email. Well I am about to send my third, but my previous emails have gone unanswered. Why have a rewards program if the points can't be used?
Reviewed Sept. 22, 2017
I have been staying in a Choice Hotels for now the last 15 days and have only received 1 free night despite what the website says. When I called Choice Customer service I was told I did not qualify for the free nights because I was checking into the same hotel consecutively. And that I would have to stay 1 night here and 1 night in another hotel or skip a 24 hour check-in in order to qualify for the free nights. They suck and are misleading in their promotion.
After speaking with the manager she was appalled that she would have to send her guest to another hotel on order for them to receive what is being advertised through Choice. She called the customer service number and was told the same thing by a very rude rep who would not give her employee number or transfer her to a supervisor. Very disappointed in their service. Also beware that the other perks you're told you will receive like late check outside are at each hotels discretion. Just use another loyalty program.
Reviewed Sept. 20, 2017
They have stolen money from me about 160 dollars. If you complain to them they just agree with you then block your account and phone. I have been a diamond member for a number of years means nothing. 180 nights this year alone. The CEO is rude, fat, pig. I hope he has a heart attack soon then it's on to hell. You are just not allowed to complain. I'm on road now with Wyndham hope it's a better time when I get home. I am going to ask a retired federal judge if I can sue in federal court. If he says I can I promise I will. They’re in NJ and I'm in Ohio, that's across state lines.
Reviewed Sept. 18, 2017
I have called Choice Hotels several times and can't get an answer regarding an overcharge. This is after having waiting at least one hour + on the phone. Finally getting "Nina" in Customer Relations and she tells me the agent overcharged my mother and was not sure why the agent did that. She contacted the hotel and they verified the rate was only supposed to be $89.00 not $148.00. Then she tells me they have to investigate. It may take 7 to 10 days. Yet she can't do anything for us. Why have a customer relations department if they can't help you, Why should I have to wait 7 to 10 days for a call back. I am so frustrated. I would like to keep fighting this, but I don't have a full day to waste on the phone only to be transferred to different departments and no one can help. What is most upsetting is that I cannot even discuss the situation with someone qualified. I keep getting a clerk in a foreign country who says he or she will pass it on.
Reviewed Sept. 12, 2017
I have been a member of the Choice Hotels' points system for 15 years, and the reservation system continues to get worse. It takes a full ten minutes to get in contact with a person to arrange a reservation, because there is an automated question system which ask for information that you will have to give to the live person when you finally get someone to answer. This is a very annoying and unnecessary routine. I also have a beef with this company, because they cheated me out of points that I was promised for a stay in a Quality Inn in Henderson, Nevada. I am looking to explore another method and Hospitality company to do business with.
Reviewed Sept. 10, 2017
I booked two rooms in Lethbridge Alberta for our vacation. Three days after booking I contacted them to discuss some sort of reduction. Because my mother was diagnosed with cancer and I would be using my vacation to spend with her. I was on hold for 45 min. and then forward to another number with a recording. The reservation was weeks away but I received no response for 2 months.
Booked rooms July 18. Called to cancel July 21 for rooms booked on August 5th. Never got a response until Sept. 4th. The same day my mother passed away on. Apparently they do not care about people, because their customer service is so backed up according to their e-mail on the 4th. This disorganized company is just in it for your money. I will never use them unless it's to give them a bad review.
Reviewed Sept. 9, 2017
I tried to book a hotel room. I selected the dates. I searched around and made my choice. When I got my email it was not the dates I selected. I called them right away. I sat on hold for over 2 hours getting transferred from person to person. Finally someone told me there was nothing they could do. I told them I still needed to book a room. I just needed to cancel that date (6 weeks into the future) and book a room for that weekend. I told them I would dispute the charges with my bank and they said "Go right ahead." They could have simply canceled this one and set me up with a new reservation and had a customer. Look at their reviews. It's obvious that I am not alone. Never use this website.
Reviewed Sept. 8, 2017
So this hotel might look nice and the rooms are comfortable but if you are looking for somewhere that the desk clerks are friendly, the breakfast is eatable and they will not make fraudulent charges on your account then this is not the place to stay. When me and my fiance checked into the hotel they were rude to him as they had been the two other times we stayed there, glutton for punishment I guess. We had decided to over look this as the rooms are nice and our kids live close. On this last stay though they reached new levels of rudeness. After checking into the room we decided that maybe we would like to stay a second night and called to see if the room that we were staying in would be available for a second night. We were told no and that if we wanted to stay another night we would have to check out and then recheck into another room.
Because I am disabled and moving rooms is just as hard as just driving some and stopping on down the road we decided that we did not want to do this and told him not to book the room. The next morning when we left the desk clerk said that we were checking out early because we had booked the room for two nights which was not right. The original booking was only for one night. Then when we left I looked at the paperwork and saw we were not getting our points so we called and got told the general manager was a lady and she was not in. When they transferred us back to the voicemail it hung up on us.
At this point we called Choice who did at this point try to call to and got told the same thing and held up on. Then later on down on the road we found out that they had booked us for a second night in the other room which we never asked them to do and we did not have the night to stay anyplace. Because of wild fires burning between Portland and Eastern Oregon where we live. It took us 9 hours to drive what usually is a four to five hour drive.
When we called the next morning we were informed by another employee that the general manager was actually a guy and he would be back in thirty minutes. In thirty five minutes I called back to be told he was in a meeting. I then proceeded to talk to the lady desk clerk who answered this time because she said maybe she could help come to find out. She was the lady that said the manager was a lady the day before. I asked her why she had said this to both us and Choice and she said she never said this. So we call back to see when the manager might get out of the meeting to find out from another employee he was not in a meeting and had just gotten back. Not sure why the lady kept thinking she needed to lie.
At this point my fiance talked to the manager who seemed not to care about what happened and when we asked who his boss was he said "Nobody." Then he told my fiance that Choice owns Clarion, which Choice says is not true. I will never stay at Clarion again. I would suggest to other travelers that they do not either.
Reviewed Sept. 6, 2017
I have contacted Choice Corporate six or seven times and each time the phone goes dead, this after having waiting at least one-half hour to get someone in Customer Relations. I cannot even state my case because the line goes dead. (Are they instructed to hang up on people to make it more difficult to voice a problem?) I have been trying to talk to them for two months now. There were numerous problems with the room (damp floor - next to pool) and the lock (didn't work - had to get new card twice a day, every day) but my main concern is to get them to issue a refund for the overage the clerk charged me for. He was incorrect and now I cannot get them on the line to research this. I am so frustrated.
Here are the exact details: I reserved under the "Friends and Family" plan, which has a link and gives you a low price. When I called the hotel, the clerk said I didn't need to go through the link - that the AARP price was the same and he would use that. He did. However, it was TWICE what the Friends and Family cost would have been. Since that time, I have tried many, many times to contact Choice about this error. Their final terse letter to me told me that basically that I was out of luck. This is a difference of hundreds of dollars for a seven-day stay. I would like to keep fighting this, but I keep getting disconnected. They do not respond to my emails, which are sent to the correct email address grdesk@choicehotels.com. What is most upsetting is that I cannot even discuss the situation with someone. I keep getting a clerk in a foreign country who says he or she will pass it on.
Dear Eileen,
I'm writing on behalf of Executive office of Choice Hotels International.Your willingness to share your concerns and observations is genuinely appreciated.
We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you personally. If you would be so kind as to call our office at 1-800-435-8595 at your convenience, we will be happy to help you.
Sincerely,
Kari S.Executive Guest Services
tel 1.800.435.8595fax 1.602.953.4953
crexecutive@choicehotels.com
CC: 8852601
Reviewed Aug. 26, 2017
I made a reservation at a Choice hotel online. I intended to reserve one room for two adults, but after I entered my reservation, the info the website gave me said one adult. So I went back to correct it and accidentally entered that I wanted two rooms for one adult rather than one room for two adults. The reservation was a special rate - non-cancellable and non-refundable. So I called the assistance number their website gave me. After several minutes on hold, I was connected with someone who asked me a lot of personal data, then asked what I wanted. When I told him, he said that he couldn't help me with that, but would connect me with someone else. I now waited another 20 minutes or so on hold listening to a very annoying repetitious message and at that point was given a message saying that they were very busy, could I please call back later. I didn't and hung on.
After about 5 minutes a live person came on the phone. After asking me the same data all over, he told me he couldn't help with the problem and I needed to contact the hotel directly. I strongly objected so he said he would call the hotel himself. After about 15 more minutes on hold, I called the hotel directly using another phone. They told me they had received the call from the Choice Hotels rep and had resolved the problem 10 minutes earlier. At this point I hung up on Choice Hotels. Their rep called me about 5 minutes later and told me what I had already heard from the hotel. Incredibly poor customer service, I think.
Reviewed Aug. 25, 2017
We have been traveling the US for business for three months renting three rooms in a different city/hotel every night. I've had too much time and money invested with Choice Hotels and they have pushed me to start using Hilton, Wyndham and Marriott. When I request late check out for one of the rooms the Hotel Managers/Owners get irritated and want you to know they're doing you a favor. Some of them will only allow one hour after their regular checkout time. I even had an owner chase me down catching me at my room door to say "Since I'm letting you checkout at 1pm please leave us a good review".
As a Diamond member I have spent too much money to be paying for favors that I've already earned. Choice Privileges is not the easiest partner to do business with. Whether you book online or reserve at the front desk you should automatically receive your points. That's not the case. I have to watch my Choice account like my bank account or I am shorted thousands of points. My account is pushing upwards of 200,000 points with Choice Hotels. Do you think they care?! No, their hotels are going downhill fast. They are buying up all the old junkie/stinky hotels that are going out of business or bankrupt. I'd rather sleep in my car.
Reviewed Aug. 23, 2017
Drove from Pennsylvania to South Carolina only to find the Comfort Inn I was sold rooms to was still under construction. It was to see the eclipse in North Charleston. You heard it right, sold rooms to an incomplete hotel. After a 12 hour ride this was not what I expected. I called Choice Hotel customer relations. WHAT A JOKE. They said, "We can try to find another hotel if there's in the area." RIGHT, they’re all booked for the eclipse. By some miracle the Best Western next door had just got a cancellation, the last room in the hotel. I took it, but charged me double the rate.
Choice would not refund me the difference, after many calls. Thought that was the least they could do. Best they would do is put 12000 points on my rewards card. What a joke, that amount will barely get you a low end room for 1 night. The question remains, in this age of computers how do you sell rooms in a hotel under construction??? WE WILL NEVER STAY AT A CHOICE HOTEL AGAIN!!! So much for making your customers happy.
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2017
I had a prepaid reservation with a confirmation number in their Lubbock hotel at 3201 Loop 289 South for two rooms, one with a king bed, one with two double beds. When I checked in, I was told my reservation had been changed without any contact with me to two rooms each with two double beds. When I asked to have my original reservation honored, they said their corporate office had made then changes and there was nothing they could do even though there were several rooms with king beds available at that time.
While I was talking with the front desk about this, another couple checked in also with a prepaid reservation and confirmation number and were told they did not have a room at the hotel that night because it was sold out. After demanding they get their room, they were told to call the main number for Choice Hotels and work with them on the phone. The front desk personnel only apologized for the inconvenience. Unless I have no other options, I will never stay with Choice Hotels again.
Reviewed Aug. 11, 2017
The Choice Hotels are not my problem. Though I was at one Hotel this past week, which I consider to be dirty. But it’s the call centre. My God and the other part to this is the corporate office when I call both in Maryland and Phoenix in the USA., they don't want to hear complaints, they pass you on to those who had the grievance with.
I don't care what country the call takers or those who reserve the hotels for choice, but where is the customer service. I blame the people at the top down, it’s always like that. It represent the company, if the top don't care, your lower staff, don't care as well, my opinion. Then when asked to transfer me to someone who can help you are put on hold forever. I spent at least 35 mins, long distance trying to book a room, had one in a different state but needed another. Who is going to pay my long distances charges, roaming charges. Why can they say we are busy and tell me to call later. I am so still pissed.
My experience this past weekend, trying to book a hotel, telling me to hold and then the system is down, then I booked, but can't give you a booking reference. I have been in hospitality and Customer Service for the last 25 yrs, worked in Canada’s biggest venues, not was would I run a business like that, no way. Get your house in order, if money is your only objective and I know you are accountable to investors, but your investors would lose money, because of the lack of those wanting to stay at Choice Hotels, will affect the investors and comments like this. Read your post. People don't make up stuff like this. I don't.
Reviewed July 31, 2017
I made a reservation for one night on the Choice hotel website in Lake Charles for July 19th. Email for the confirmation came back stating that the stay was for 5 nights the last week in Sept. and my credit card was charged with the non-refundable rate! Calls to the non-customer service line somewhere overseas were a total waste of time. I even called the hotel directly and the manager told me that the owner would not cancel. Just got off the phone with my credit card company and they said there was nothing they could do so I'm out $560. But I travel 80 nights a year on business and will never stay at a Choice property again!
Reviewed July 25, 2017
I booked a room at the Rodeway Inn South in Sandusky, Ohio. The first room we were given didn't lock, had a bathroom window that was duct taped together, smelt disgusting and had a giant spider web on the wall. We asked for a new room and were "upgraded"... This time we had a locking door but the room still smelt like someone died in it and there bugs all over the wall. DISGUSTING. Long story short... We were promised a refund and left. Days after our stay they charged my card AGAIN for an amount over our original price. After 3+ hours trying to get my money back and being told countless times the manager would return my call, no one ever called me back. I finally got my money back but this was the WORST hotel stay of my life and their corporate headquarters condones this behavior and was zero helping resolving my issues or making me feel valued. I will never stay at another Choice Hotel.
Reviewed July 25, 2017
Choice Hotels have been talking about if you stay two different trips you can get a gift card. I took a trip in May for three nights with my name on the reservation, because I was the one traveling. Our choice privileges account is under my husband's name with my name on the credit card information. Choice Hotels will not give me credit for that stay because the reservation was not under my husband's name. This is ridiculous! And fraudulent if you ask me!!! Now I have to travel again because of a death in my family and I needed the card for gas money!!
Reviewed July 20, 2017
I booked a hotel through Choice Hotels for a lower rate but when they sent my confirmation email, THE RATE WAS $30 MORE! When I called, they told me it may have been a computer error but they couldn't help or change it, NO HELP AT ALL, WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. Luckily, the hotel manager changed my dates so that I could keep that rate. I hated to push my trip back two weeks but she was so nice and helpful! Do not book through Choice Hotels. You come out better going to the hotel directly or using another booking agency!!!
Reviewed July 13, 2017
I stayed at two Clarion Choice Hotels, Virginia Beach, VA in June and Charlotte, SC443 in July. Both had the same problems. Non-working telephones, the non-smoking rooms had a bad smell of smoke. Virginia Beach the floor was so dirty you didn't want to walk on it. We were given another room not much difference. Charlotte the walls had dead bugs on them. A child had color one wall red, blue and green. Bathroom the show soap dish was broken off and in the floor. the plaster on the balcony was hang off.
Reviewed July 11, 2017
Choice Hotels terrible customer service is not service at all. It is all in another country. They never fix any problems, can't understand half of what they say, Wait time was over 25 minutes to speak to someone. Then she connected me to another 20 minute wait, I finally hung up and started again. Aaagghhh! I can't stand this chain anymore. Hotels are getting very high priced and crappier looking. I am in one now, it smells of mold, has a dirty office chair, floor is not clean, bathroom mirror looks like a dirty rag wiped over it. I have been staying at choice hotels almost 15 years now, I will be changing hotel chains to a different one starting my next stay. DO NOT STAY AT THESE CRAPPY PLACES.
Reviewed July 10, 2017
The room (Room 106 at 1201 US Hwy 17N, Surfside Beach, SC 297575) was not clean and had a very bad smell in the room. Found out the room had a defect in the air con that put out moisture out in the room. Clothes and furniture were damp. We stay from Sunday to Wednesday morning. Went to office. Put complaint in Monday morning and they give us a dehumidifier for the room like that helped. The furniture to put the clothes in was wet and terrible smell. There was a woman that worked there. Heard the conversation and said that there has been complaints about this room prior to me arriving.
My grandson and I both got sick, had to go to the doctor for this problem. Needless to say the vacation was ruined and now we have doctor bill on top of that and I am still sick and have miss work for a week. This was very unacceptable and this room should not be used at all and we should have been giving a new room right away. I can not believe the way I was treated and the room. I have stay at lots of Comfort Inn and never had this problem. I would like a reply to my email and a full refund.
Reviewed June 27, 2017
Stay away from using the app or Choice Hotels in general. I reserved a single room and canceled 2 weeks out. But was still charged. I was then told that I reserved 2 rooms. Both my confirmation and cancellation numbers indicate a single room. Now I'm forced to fight to get my money back. Their customer service is trouble. Have to wait in excess of 20 minutes on hold to even talk to somebody. Even then that person isn't empowered to help you. Told they will investigate and get back to you in days. Of course I never heard back. Had to dispute it with the credit card to get my money. Stay away!!!!
Reviewed June 19, 2017
I booked a date and confirmed as different rate. "Within a minute" I called them to resolve the issue. They said, "It may be a software glitch, but we can't help." They did not help. THEY GAVE SEVERAL NUMBERS. NO ONE RESOLVED. I lost my money. Friends DON'T TRUST CHOICE HOTELS. They are unprofessionals and cheap. My confirmation is **. Booked date: June 19. Requested date for hotel June 16 but I confirmation as July 5.
Reviewed June 15, 2017
When I purchased points through Choice Hotels many times it's been cancelled. When I contacted them for getting the reason they told me to contact POINTS.com. In the meantime they have increased the hotel price. Again when I tried to contact them I have been put in queue for more than 10 minutes every time. But not connected.
Reviewed June 10, 2017
I planned a trip with my son and my sister to our hometown in Manitoba, so in April I started to book our rooms. I knew there was a possibility that we may have to change the travel dates, so I made sure the rooms I booked would allow me to make changes without being charged. As predicted, I did have to make some changes, and did so at all 3 of the hotels I had booked, including the Comfort Inn and Suites (Choice Hotel) in Virden Manitoba. My travel dates had to change again, and this time I had to actually cancel the rooms, and it was no problem at all with the first 2 hotels, but when it came to Choice Hotels it was a big problem. I sent them an email explaining that my computer had a glitch and I had lost some of my emails, one being my confirmation # for the room I had booked with them.
At that time I told them I needed to cancel the room. They responded and told me it was a non refundable room, and that I couldn't cancel it, and there was nothing they could do about it. So I phoned and talked to several people, but they all refused to let me cancel. I told the last guy I talked to that I will never stay at a Choice Hotel again, and asked him to cancel the 2 nights I had booked at the Clarion in Brandon. He did so, but he didn't even care! So they lost a 2 night stay because they refused to cancel a 1 night stay. Doesn't make sense to me. So, I wonder what happens now, I won't be there to use the room, so does it just sit empty for the night? I bet they will book it again, and get double the money! It shocks me that a big hotel chain would be like this.
Reviewed June 7, 2017
For the last week I stayed in one of your Choice hotels, in Alachua, FL. First, let me start by saying that I had 2 of my daughters with me (one of which has severe asthma, the other has an 8 month old infant, who was also with us and WOULD have been crawling on the floor had I not been so disgusted when I first walked into the room). We traveled almost 1600 miles from Missouri, so by the time we got to the hotel, we were extremely tired and were hoping (and expecting) a clean and ready to crawl into bed. We were given anything but clean. There were beer cans and food all over the floor in the main room, the floors had not been vacuumed, there were no curtains in the window, nor had the beds been cleaned in a while based on their condition.
I walked to the reception desk, where the situation only got worse. Management did not believe me concerning the state of the original room, but finally gave me a different room. I did not get an apology and was essentially called a liar because the manager said he would need to see that for himself before believing me about the state of the room.
The second room we were given was not much better than the first. The floors had not been vacuumed in that room either, the bathroom door was broken like it had been kicked in, the table was broken, the remote for the AC was taped together, the shower had dirt caked on the side as though it had not been cleaned in months, the shower head was broken and did not work properly, and the entire room smelled of mold and mildew from being moist for too long without being properly cleaned. At that point, I took it upon myself to clean the room as I could tell I was getting nowhere with management.
Outside was not much better than the inside. There were old rolled up nasty carpets in the hallway. If there is remodeling, as a courtesy, there should be signs informing the customers to watch themselves, and apologizing for the mess. There was none of that. The maid was evidently too lazy to walk downstairs with the laundry and proceeded to throw it on the ground downstairs. Towels, washcloths and bedding can contain various bodily fluids as well as potential bugs from prior disgusting guests, and throwing those on the ground below is blatant laziness. What would they have done if someone's bedbug infested sheets landed on one of your customers walking out the door??
I had plans on renting from your chain of hotels in Branson when I go there for a visit, but I have NO intention of EVER visiting a Choice Hotel in the future. I went to Florida to watch one of my daughter's graduate and your hotel chain turned what should have been happiness and relaxation into hell on earth, to the point of I feel like I should have gotten the maid wages, with as much cleaning I had to do in order to even trust my granddaughter on the floor. Get it together, for the sake of your company, your name as well as for your CUSTOMERS. Nobody should be exposed to the level of customer service and filth that I was exposed to.
I can only hope that this letter lands on listening ears and you take into consideration what I have said in order to better your company and GAIN customers rather than lose them. The rooms need to be updated DRASTICALLY, as they don't look like the pictures online, and guests should feel WELCOME not like they are a maid service coming in to do someone else's job that YOU are paying someone to do. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Reviewed June 7, 2017
Recently I booked a hotel at Quality Inn through Choice privilege. It was the worst experience I ever had on vacation. The room smelled so bad and there was yelling and fighting right outside the hotel all night. The bathroom was not clean and had been used prior to our arrival. The toilet had urine all over it. There were multiple broken things in our room. I will never book with Choice Privilege again and I will make sure all of my friends, family and co-workers never stay with any Choice Hotels.
Reviewed June 6, 2017
I tried making a reservation for a Thursday evening. I changed the date of arrival three times. When the confirmation came back it was for the day I made the reservation (Monday) with the nice little footnote that the reservation could not be cancelled, changed or refunded. This is a very "tricky" website that needs an update. To me it appears to be set up to trick an unsuspecting customer into paying for something they did not intend to reserve.
Reviewed May 30, 2017
Choice Hotels Reservation and Privileges Membership is a SCAM... after nearly 2 years of wasting my time with these crooks, I give up. Their website is nearly impossible to use and they lie about the rates after you try to book, they mysteriously go up... and up. All the hotels are owned by independent and in most cases rude, impolite and foreign management who really hates Americans... IMO. And if you complain, both to the managers, and Choice Hotels... THEY SIMPLY BLACKBALL YOU FROM EVER STAYING AT THAT HOTEL AGAIN... PERIOD. IT IS A SCAM!!!
Reviewed May 23, 2017
My roommate and myself stayed at the Rodeway Turf hotel this past Sunday and Monday. I must say I have been going there for the past 25 yrs and this is the worst stay we have had in all the times we stayed there. First thing was there was only one towel and wash cloth in the room, after calling and waiting at least 2 hrs, I had to go to the front desk and get them myself. Then there was a loud humming noise and the bathroom floor was vibrating, again I called and no one came. As we were leaving that night after waiting several hours the front desk person said that the maintenance man was probably asleep and it was probably the Jacuzzi from the floor below us.
To top everything off as I lifted the covers off the floor the next morning there where goldfish crackers on the floor next to the bed. Never in all the years I have stayed at the Turf {now the Rodeway Turf} have I ever been dissatisfied as I have been this week. Oh and did you know that the slot machines in the bar area when printing out the pay off tickets better be even money, I cash a 10.99 cent ticket, the bartender said the safe don't carry change so he could only give me the ten and he kept the 99 cents. These 2 days were just unbelievable.
Reviewed May 19, 2017
I made a reservation at a Comfort Inn using the Choice Hotels website. Due to a glitch that I will never know, the website reserved two rooms instead of one. Even though it was their mistake, Choice Hotels customer service would not refund me the charge for the second room. They would only give me useless points. I will never give the Choice Hotels website access to my credit card again. They are not interested in goodwill toward the customer. It was small money but a very large principle called "trust". Reading all the reviews, it's clear that the website is set up to "fail" in favor of Choice Hotels. It's a scam. At some point, I hope someone starts a class action against them. I will join.
Reviewed May 18, 2017
This hotel is THE COMFORT INN BARRIE ONT, CANADA. I am a Platinum Member for 7 yrs with Choice Hotels Rewards program. HORRIBLE! No bath essentials provided. When requested, they still did not provide. Got a Double bed instead of a Queen size and billed for the Queen. TV did not work. When front desk was informed, they said nothing could be done. After dining and dancing, returned to hotel around 1:20 am to hear the "Night Manager" arguing with a guest on our floor and when we passed them, she turned her attention to us and started to lecture on being loud and the other guest asked why she was picking on them now? "Night Manager" as she calls herself started to act psycho, literally. She phoned the police and told them we were chasing her and threatening to harm her and we would not leave the hotel when she asked us to. NEVER HAVE I SEEN OR BEEN IN THIS SITUATION IN MY LIFE.
When police came she said everything was on video and I asked her to show them, she denied them. We were told at 3 am to leave. (Where were going to go at that time?) Got escorted to our room to pack and I picked up the phone and called front desk. When she answered, I said, "Really, I have to leave?" She responded with, "Does that mean you are apologizing to me?" I answered, "Yes." She then said, "Ok, you can stay." Spoke with the Officer who was with us only to find out that this so-called Night Manager is very well known to them in regards to many situations like ours. "NO LIES" this is the honest to god's truth. Will never deal with any CHOICE HOTELS again. Use BEST WESTERN. I've never had any problems or been dissatisfied.
Reviewed May 13, 2017
I have been a Choice rewards member for years. My husband has a medical condition that we use a hotel near the hospital when he has appointments. The hotel has a special rate for medical patients. I went online to find out the phone number for the hotel. When I clicked on the number that I thought was the hotel, I was transferred to the Choice Hotels main line. Not only was it out of the country but the operator talked too fast that you could not understand her. I tried to tell her about the hospital special rate but she did not have a clue. She continue to tell me that the hotel was almost sold out and the only rooms left were the Suites which cause more than the regular rooms (the rooms were more expensive that you could get on their website).
I went ahead and made a reservation so that we would not miss getting a room. I ask about canceling and she assured me that I could cancel up until 3:00 on the date of arrival. All I had to do was call back. After finishing the call, I did some more advanced research and finally found the direct number for the hotel. I called and found out that the hotel did have the special rate and lots of rooms available. So I made a reservation with the hotel. I called the Choice Hotel main reservations back within 10 minutes of the original reservation call. I was transferred to another operator that spoke just as fast. She assured me that it was fine to cancel the original reservation. It was not until she gave me the amount that they were putting back on my credit card that I realize that the amount was not the amount I was quoted in the original reservation. I told her it was not correct. She finally informed me that they charged $14.99 to cancel a reservation.
I told her about the conversation that I had with the other person and how I had been misled about the reservation. After a long conversation, she finally went away from the phone for 5 minutes to talk to her team (I am sure this is a strategy that they are taught!!). She did return and assured me that they would not charge me the $14.99. (but that was not all!!) THEY ARE NOT GOING TO RETURN MY MONEY TO MY CREDIT CARD FOR 7 TO 10 DAYS ACCORDING TO THE PERSON!!!
Reviewed May 5, 2017
I have been a Choice Privileges member for years. I have been accumulating points and decided to use them on an upcoming trip. I went online to the Choice website and chose my hotels and booking dates on Monday the 24th of April for dates in May. Two days later, I received an email asking me to rate my stay at one of the hotels. I immediately logged onto my account to see that the system changed my booking date to the input date and not the future date that I was going to stay in that town. I thought a quick call to member services would take care of the issue. I was wrong. I ended up on the phone for hours being passed from department to department with each telling me it was not their area. Example I started with customer service who transferred me to Choice Privileges Member Services who then transferred me to the Internet Customer Service who then transferred me to the place it started.
This cycle continued and each time I had to explain the error I was trying to fix. Each area would pull my account up and tell me "You were a no show". Seriously? That is because I found out two days later the system changed my stay date. After a long time someone asked me to "call back tomorrow" because they had to get management involved and they were not there. I called the next day and they finally put notes in the system but said they had to call the manager at the hotel? The manager was unavailable so customer services asked me to call back later. Why is it customer service won't take care of the problem?
I decided to google problems with Choice Hotels and the results let me know that I am not the first person with this problem. It seems to be an ongoing problem not only with customer service not being helpful but the website changing the booking dates. I mentioned this on yet another call to customer service and they said they would transfer me once again to the internet department and I explained once more what happened. I was told they would do an investigation which would take 7 to 10 business days. I told them all I wanted was to have my room for the date I booked. I was told I would have to pay again. No way! I waited to hear back on the "investigation" and they said they do not have any problems with the website and the dates were set. Needless to say, there is a problem and something should be done.
Reviewed May 4, 2017
I booked 2 consecutive nights at a Quality Inn and a Comfort Inn during their April promotion. I booked one online and one over the phone. Somehow I ended up with two different accounts and I can only guess that the person on the phone set up a new account for me (spelled my last name incorrectly as well). So, when I went to book my free night's stay, as per the promotion, my points were in two different accounts.
The customer service person said she was unable to merge the accounts (computer problems) and that she would not be able to fix the problem for 3-5 business days. This was on a Thursday and I needed to book the "free" night's stay for Monday. She said there was no way to merge them before that date, even though it was obvious that I had the points available. Simply unacceptable. I ended up booking with Hampton Inn and will avoid all Choice Hotels as much as possible. Not worth the hassle as there are many more options available with much better customer service.
Reviewed April 24, 2017
We booked two rooms, two different dates... When I hit the book button, I received two different confirmation numbers for the same date. When I called to state the error, they told me that I cannot change the date on one of the rooms for the original date I put in the system. They told me that it is their policy! I told them it's not a cancellation but a change of date, which was their systems fault. Still nothing, they told me I would be charged for the room. WHAT A SCAM!!! DO NOT BOOK WITH CHOICE HOTELS!!!
Reviewed April 23, 2017
My husband and I live in the Phoenix area and were attending a seminar in the North Valley. I decided it would be better if we got a room and stayed there instead of driving the 40+ miles back and forth so I went looking for a room. I booked 2 nights at $99 a night in a very basic hotel. I got an email right after and didn't review it. A week later I get an email about my stay and it says I booked 2 people, 2 nights, 2 rooms. WHAT?
I went back on the history of my computer to see what I did... I booked 1 room, 2 people, 2 nights.
This is totally a scam. Don't use them unless you want to pay for double what you order. I am very computer-savvy and I am pissed that they do this to people. I can see what I did and I did not book 2 rooms. They are intentionally ripping people off and then saying it is our fault that we didn't read where it says nonrefundable. I was okay with nonrefundable on what I ordered. Now I have 2 rooms? WTH? Do not use them. Ever. Don't risk it.
Reviewed April 21, 2017
I have been a diamond member for 10 years. As of April 15th I have switched to the Marriott program and here is why: 1. You can never get thru on customer service line within 15 minutes; 2. Very bad broken English speaking phone contacts ALWAYS; 3. Rooms are very bad and hotels have been going down hill; 4. Your status does not mean a thing with hotel, treated like I'm of the street; 5. Each motel is independently owned and operated so nothing is the same with each place; 6. Website is the worst ever; 7. Breakfast is one of the worst. The best advise I can give anyone is stay away from any Choice Hotel.
Reviewed April 17, 2017
Choice Hotels negligence and or possibly fraudulent activity on my credit card. On Sunday April 9, 2017 I booked a room on the phone with Choice Hotels. The agent took my Visa credit card number and reserved a room at Comfort Suites Hotel. I received an email confirmation with all my information but under a different party's name. I called Choice Hotels immediately and informed them the wrong name (Douglas **) and the wrong membership number (**) was used for my reservation but charged to my VISA card. The agent assured me that Douglas ** did not have full access to my VISA card. He canceled the reservation. But, on Monday April 10th I received an email "Thanks for Joining Douglas! Enjoy the benefits. Hi Douglas #**. Create Online Profile."
On Tuesday, April 11th I received two emails Fraud Alerts from Chase Bank, Due to Choice Hotel's negligence and or possibly fraudulent activity, my credit card appears to have been used by their Agent and or given to another party. Chase Bank declined my card when I tried to register at Comfort Suites Hotel. This Hotel would only accept cash or a Debit Card which left me and my wife nearly stranded with no way to secure a room for the night and little cash to buy gas and food to return home. Upon returning home, I remain inconvenienced as I am still waiting for a replacement Credit Card.
On Thursday April 13th, after sending three separate emails to Choice Hotels (grdesk@choicehotels.com) and receiving no response, I called Choice service line (602-954-4500) Reference #**. The agent, Angel, told me this is the Corp. Office of Choice Privileges but no Manager or Supervisor was available to talk with me. Angel committed to have a manager contact me at ** within the next 24 hours. To date, April 17 (four days later, 96 hours) I have not received a returned call or email from Choice Hotels.
Reviewed April 13, 2017
Choice Hotels is nothing but a scam! We booked a room, the website changed the date. We ended up buying another room, because they would not change the date. If you want to throw your money away, go ahead and book with choice hotels!
Reviewed April 11, 2017
I was told that if I stayed two nights before April 27th I would get a third free. Then when I called to access my third night they said it would take 72 hours to post the points. They did this so we were less likely to use the third night. Very inappropriate as I specifically asked if I was able to do this on the same vacation week with a definite yes as a response. I also had to change a second night reservation and was told I couldn't change it. And would be charged a noncancelation fee for the room. When I called "customer service" I was told they are all independently owned. UGH!!! Both of my experiences in Rodeway Inn and Quality Inn were awful. Being a member of this CHOICE meant nothing to them.
Reviewed April 7, 2017
Do not book through this service. They booked me for the wrong weekend and I called within 15 minutes and they would not cancel or change the reservation to correct it. Customer service was non existent. Do not use!!
Reviewed April 6, 2017
I have been staying at Clarion Hotel in Pueblo CO since the 23rd of March and paying weekly. Now all of the sudden the front desk tells me they will no longer rent weekly. This would be understandable if I had not already been double charged for last week (I'm disputing the charge with the bank) causing me great inconvenience, as well as a broken ac/heater, and housekeeping that only makes half the bed and leaves no towels or bags in the waste cans. There has been a new ac unit still in the box in the middle of the floor where it has been for two weeks. And to top it all off I had to get my own can of raid for the roach problem they have. I even complained to corporate customer service only to be told there is nothing they will do. Summary... This has been the worst hotel experience I have ever had from a national chain and will never stay with clarion or choice hotels ever again!
Reviewed April 1, 2017
I had a Terrible experience at a Choice Hotel, and made 8 attempts over 2 weeks to get a resolution with Choice Hotel "customer service". Each time put on hold for average of 30 minutes. And each time I finally got to talk to a CS person I had to start over explaining the problem and was told to check back in 72 hours for resolution. I even tried emailing numerous times and NO reply. As a long time Choice Privileges Diamond Member I would have expected better Service. I will no longer stay with such a shabby company. And direct all my coworkers to do the same, As there are many other companies out there that truly appreciate our business.
Reviewed March 27, 2017
Choice Hotels advertises on TV and on my phone calls with them that you receive a free night after two booked at regular priced stays. I have stayed 3 night during 2 separate stays, and this time am told I don't have enough points for any hotel stay. Points are never mentioned in their advertising. Their supervisor told me I couldn't get my free night because my stays were last year, and yet I just read under one of their websites that the stays (= points) are considered good and part of the promotion until Dec. 31, 2 years AFTER the year you earn the points. Today I had their employees telling me all sorts of creative lies as to why I could not collect on my free hotel night. I consider this fraud, and I wouldn't recommend Choice Hotels to anyone. There are plenty of other hotel chains that will not do such underhanded things.
Reviewed March 14, 2017
This is the worst experience I have ever had when traveling. There was an error (double booked due to computer error). They will not refund my money and no cancellation! Apparently I'm not the only one. They put you on hold and never come back. Best thing to do is contact your bank and have them stop payment or refund the money to your acct. My bank did this. Don't use them.
Reviewed March 12, 2017
I stayed 12 different times and only got 4400 points. They said they will not give me any more than that because none of my stays "qualified". Customer service was extremely rude and just kept talking over me. When I cut in he yelled at me and said "don't cut me off. I need to continue." This was one of the very worst customer service experiences I've ever had aND I don't mind telling everyone. They don't keep their information updated, they leave out half of the rules in their pamphlet and on the website address, then when you call customer service they yell at you. Don't even bother. You won't get your points anyway. Just call the hotel to MAke your reservation. You'll have better luck.
Reviewed March 4, 2017
I have been a Choice hotels customer for years. Typically if I wanted to book a room, I would call the individual hotel, speak with someone on site, and book the appointment. I was always treated with respect and as a loyal customer. In my most recent attempt to do so, I was automatically directed to Central Reservations. This was a customer service NIGHTMARE. First, I spoke with a rep who pulled up the hotel which was advertised for 116 on the choice hotels website and 109 elsewhere, and she quoted me 220$ per night for the same room.
After telling her about the price on the choice website, along with the third party website. She stated, "then book third party." I asked her to honor the price on choicehotels.com, as choicehotels.com website clearly indicated a best price guarantee. I was met with such attitude, and she finally said "the best I can do is 189.00." At this point I asked to speak to a manager and was told "I don't have a manager." Being frustrated and at this point intending to address the customer service issue later, I just wanted the room booked and I knew if I booked it through her it would be very easy to track her down later when reporting this to management.
After gathering all of my information, I asked her to confirm the address of the hotel. She was looking at the wrong hotel. I asked for a room at Comfort Inn. She was looking at Quality Inn. I asked her to get me updated pricing at the correct hotel and after 10 minutes of typing and silence, she hung up on me. It doesn't end there though. After booking the room with another agent in the choice privileges department (at the price I saw online of 116.00 per night). I decided to call the central reservation number to now address the customer service issue. Guess who picks up? The agent did apologize stating that she reported the disconnect to her previously non-existent manager (despite having my telephone number to call back).
I asked the agent to transfer me to said manager now that we both were in agreement that this person does in fact exist. She cold transfers me to a closed department, customer relation, where I am left on hold limbo for about 20 minutes before looking up the hours of customer relations online and seeing that they are in fact closed. This is unacceptable, and at this point I had spent well over an hour trying to do this. All I wanted to do was give choice hotels my money as I have so many times in the past... they sure don't make it easy.
A couple days later I called customer relations, spoke to someone who really did not show that much empathy but was very pleasant. The issue was "addressed" through registering my complaint with an internal ticketing system. Customer relations did not make me feel better, or valued as a long time customer. With that being said, I will keep my upcoming reservation but it most certainly will be my last, and I will never book with choice hotels again as my stays at Fairfield Inn and suites by Marriott and Wyndham Hotels have been comparable in price and a better customer experience.
Reviewed Feb. 27, 2017
On the night of December 26, 2016 at approximately 6 pm Central Time I went to their website and tried making a reservation using your system for December 27, 2016 for Winchester KY. Immediately upon starting the reservation a countdown clock starting counting down from 15 minutes. I decided at that point to try and log in with my member number and try and get it on my Choice Privileges account so I wouldn't have to deal with it later. Well, I didn't remember my password and was going back and forth between the website and app trying to get into my account. I might have also checked what kind of AAA discount I could get.
By the time I was finally able to be sure I was set up and ready the countdown timer only showed 20 seconds left and so I quickly hit submit because I was afraid of losing the reservation. Immediately after I received a confirmation for January 7, 2017 I knew that was wrong and was not the date I originally started with. I tried adjusting it in the system and couldn't do it, so I called their service center and tried speaking with people there. From approximately 6:10 to 7:15 pm I tried resolving this issue. I was transferred to approximately 3 different people and each time during the transfer was disconnected so that I had to call back and start with someone again.
On three different instances your guest relations staff tried to call the hotel and could never get anyone there to answer the phone. I find that worrying that your staff could not reach the hotel for that hour time frame. Each time I called was told by the staff there, “Thank you for choosing Choice Hotels” and that they appreciate my business and know that I have places that I can choose instead of Choice Hotels. We were charged for the room and were basically told it was our fault and nothing was wrong with their system. I recommend that you don't stay at their hotels.
Reviewed Feb. 21, 2017
I think that I am probably wasting my breath and time writing this note to you. I called last week to reserve a room in Marshall, Michigan. While I was speaking to a customer service rep she started to tell me about this fantastic deal that your company had going on and it was such a great deal. I really was not interested, but I was transferred to another person who was going to give me a rundown on this special. I listened, I do not like high pressure selling. I was then transferred to another person who went on about this deal and was told that I had to sign up now in order to get in on this program. I was very tired and went along with the deal.
I have to say this was a terrible night for me as I did not get any sleep that night. The next day I called to cancel and was transferred from one person to another and I was really getting angry. The last person I spoke with was still trying to sell me on this deal and I lost my cool. I told her that I wanted it cancelled now or I was going to inform my attorney as I had an appointment with him anyway that day. I am at the point where I am not going to use Choice Hotels and will be using Holiday Inn and their priority club for my stays in the future. Your practices are HORRID as I could see by reading other reviews.
Reviewed Feb. 20, 2017
Beware of the website and their customer service. They will not ever help you or honor you. It's cheaper to sign on and book a room as a lay person. I will never stay or use them ever again. I'm not getting into my problem that they somehow charged me 180.00 plus 24,000 points when you can get a room for 106 a night!!! They said I bought the points! I never would of done that! I have 133,000 points at a Marriott! They didn't want to keep a customer. Didn't care! I tried! They lied! Please be careful. Just be a lay person.
Reviewed Feb. 19, 2017
I was trying to book a hotel for the current date. I went through Trivago.com, which redirected me to the Choice motel.com site. I selected the hotel in Grand junction and their lowest cost option. What I didn't realize is that the website had repopulated the date range to 6 days in the future. The date is shown in very small font and is only listed as month/date, not showing the day of the week. In my opinion this is part of their design to commit consumer fraud. When you click on the pay button it does not review your reservation, which you can no longer see. So when I arrived at the hotel I was told I made a nonrefundable, nonchangeable reservation, and they were going to keep my money.
I intend to dispute through credit card company and file a consumer fraud report with the Colorado attorney general. A contract requires a meeting of the minds. When one party, through intentional devious web design methods tries to hide the date selected, that is not a contract. Just compare ChoiceMotels.com with Booking.com and you will see the difference. At Booking.com the date ranges are in bold, up front, large font, and your selected reservation is repeated back before you click confirm. I will never do business with this hotel chain again and I recommend you boycott them as well.
Reviewed Feb. 10, 2017
My husband & I were making reservations at the Quality Inn in Charleston, MO. We had sold our home and were making the plans for traveling to our new home. This city happened to be the approximate halfway point in our travels. I thought the online process went fine, but when I received the email confirmation, 2 rooms had been booked. I called the motel to cancel one of the rooms and was told that the room was already paid for and the reservation could not be canceled, changed, or refunded. I asked if I could change the date on the reservation and was told the same thing.
The motel has refused to fix the problem. The system is broken and the motel is taking advantage of the error in the system. Why should they correct the mistake since they are making money from it. Hotel/Motel management COULD choose to do the RIGHT thing and fix the obvious mistake, but they will not. I will no longer be requiring the services of any hotel/motel associated with Choice Hotels.
Reviewed Feb. 9, 2017
Don't waste your time. Corporate builds hotel, contracts them out to individual owners who can charge whatever they want. When there's a special event, they gouge your eyes out with ridiculous prices. Stayed 4 nights, 2 different weekends, 2 different places, & was told stay 2 nights, get a free one next visit. Still no free night. They'll BS YOU from customer service in the Philippines, and feed you a line of crap... This is what American is turning into. Buy a camper, stay at KOA, and you'll never stay at a hotel again.
Reviewed Jan. 28, 2017
Use extreme caution when booking online through Choice Hotels. I was searching hotels for my specific travel date and then a very discounted deal hotel appears, which did advertise it was not refundable. I click into it thinking oh that's a nice deal I guess I would buy this even though it's non-refundable because I knew I was going to be for sure staying in that area. Anyways once I clicked it, it had a countdown thing making it seem super limited like the deal was going to disappear if I didn't book right then and there, and so I quickly but still thoroughly overlooked everything and booked it.
2 weeks later I go to check into the hotel and worst thing ever happens, the reservation to my awful surprise, the check in date had passed. I was so confused, so I went back in my confirmation email which I didn't even think to double check initially because I triple checked the booking dates before finally booking, and sure enough the check-in date on my confirmation email was the same date that I booked it the hotel. Clearly that is not when I intended to stay, having already drove 3 1/2 hours and paid for the hotel, non refundable. I was shocked. it ruined my trip and all my plans because I had no other hotel to stay at due to a huge event in the area everyone was full.
I called Choice Hotels up, and told them what happened and I truly believe it was the system that error'd out during checkout because I triple checked the dates when booking. The hotel could not refund me, so they said they would open a system investigation and see if there really was an error. After following up with them, the investigation could see the original check-in dates I had searched for (which was NOT the same day I was booking), and then apparently when I had clicked on the flashy limited time only special discounted hotel stay, the dates RESET to the current date!!!
I still don't believe that I overlooked the check-in date when booking that discounted stay, but either way I told Choice Hotels that the website tricks you then, and I'm sure I'm not the only customer this has happened to. They design the website like that to RESET dates on purpose hoping that you overlook dates I guess and book a NON-refundable same day of purchase stay. I think it's so messed up. Choice knows what they're doing and I explained that's terrible customer service and poor website design that it would do that.
I asked could they please give me a courtesy one time refund for the inconvenience and the fact I didn't even get to stay at the hotel, and they said no, that because I could view the stay dates before confirming it was essentially my fault. However, it wasn't my fault the dates reset on me when I hit the special offer stay. And they just said next time I could call and book over the phone instead of online. Really, that's your solution rather than fixing your screwed up tricky design of a website? Great job with your customer service Choice, you have lost a once loyal Choice Privileges member. I advise everyone to steer clear of booking online with Choice Privileges.
Reviewed Jan. 17, 2017
I signed up for Choice International last night because they had a great rate on a hotel that we were looking to stay at next weekend so we could do some skiing in the Catskills in upstate NY. I made the reservation, entered payment, and when the confirmation page came up, the reservation date was not what I had expected it to be. After reading many reviews on this site later that evening it became evident that there is something really screwy with the Choice Hotels website and many people had the same issue where they attempted to make reservations but ended up with the wrong date. Whether it's intentional or a website glitch or simply poor design, is anyone's guess. I can't imagine what Choice Hotels would gain from purposely tricking customers into making reservations on the wrong date.
So I called Choice Hotels Customer service line and tried to change the reservation. It took several calls and several transfers which put me into waiting queues and I was disconnected twice after waiting about 15 minutes each time, but finally I was able to get someone on the line who at first said there's nothing they could do because the reservation was "prepaid nonrefundable". But after I leaned on them I was ultimately put in contact with a friendly, courteous agent whose name was "Marge" (I think) who called the hotel and get the reservations changed although the new rate for the correct day was about $20 more than the advertised one on another very well known booking site that I've used many times before with no issues (but the initial rate offered through Choice Hotels was less - that's why I tried them).
It was more stressful than it needed to be and I partially fault the hotel who I also called 3x, because the hapless hotel clerk first told me I have to call Choice, that there's nothing they can do when in fact the power to change the reservation lies completely with the hotel - it's in their system, they've got the "button" and they've got your money, so don't let them tell you otherwise. The hotel clerk finally told me during my third call back that "well yes the hotel can do it but it's up to the general manager who will not speak directly to guests who book online prepaid reservations, he will only talk to the booking company" for reasons that were never clarified.
In summary, Choice Hotels did act on my behalf to fix a mistake that is likely the result of their own poor website design, but it took several calls and cost me more than it would have if I used a different site, so I would say if you use their services, be VERY careful before you hit "submit" on the payment screen. And if you do need to call them do not allow the agent to simply transfer the call and put you into a waiting queue - tell them you do not want to be released from their call until they've got a live person on the other end.
Reviewed Jan. 16, 2017
This is not a review of Choice hotels as they are independently owned. This complaint is directly pointed to the Choice Privilege Customer Service. I made a reservation for what I believed was two nights. Their system was going up and down so in the process I apparently booked one night. I could've simply booked the nights and paid $76 per night but reverted over to points to take advantage of the points I had. When I booked to reservation it said I had to pay $105 plus 6,000 points. Seemed to make sense considering it was $76 per night or $152 for two nights. I got the confirmation back but it showed 1 night. I thought this was an error because one night again was $76. No one would spend $105 plus 6,000 points for one night. Well my bad as I missed the changing of the dates as the system went down temporarily.
I had already called the reservation line and had a representative on the phone and they too thought this sounded correct for two nights but he did not book the rooms because his system too had gone down. By now you would think this is simply a mistake and could easily be rectified. Not so! Here is where the customer service fail comes in to the point I ended up with 4 hours of various conversations to get a consistent answer of "too bad". Even a supposed supervisor "Stephanie" would not get on the phone and simply spoke through the agent. What I've learned is the points system is managed by a separate entity, the hotels are owned independently and Choice Points is just that, a points administrative service. Great! Keeps accountability away from Choice Points.
What I hope to get out to the public is simple, it's about "Customer Service" people. They have shown that this is not a priority. You don't measure a good company and their commitment to customer service when things go as they should, you measure customer service and a company's commitments when things go wrong. What actions are taken to help resolve the issue, within reason, to satisfy their customers. To date, 1/16/17 this company has failed. I have tried to reach out to Anne Smith, Vice President of Corp Brand and Kelly Kane, Vice President of Corp Communication, both by voice mail at this point. I will continue to pursue this not because of the estimated loss of value is <$100 but because it's not a matter of principle. I believe it's not come upon me to let as many persons know about this experience as possible.
I'm sure whatever losses in revenue may come from others not participating in this program or dropping the program or even avoiding any affiliation to Choice Brand won't impact their bottom line, at least it will be known in the public domain that poor corporate policies and poor training in the area of customer service resulting in poor customer service at a time it truly should "shine" won't be tolerated. Look for other alternative to the Choice Brands, All Of Them. Regrettably, the independent hotel owners may be impacted by no fault of their own. I hope everyone will post any lack of customer service by the Choice Brand. I'll be updating this post as time goes on.
Reviewed Jan. 13, 2017
I booked online for a 4-night stay at a Comfort Inn in Houston. Unforeseen circumstances forced me to cancel my trip at the last second. When explaining this to the clerk as I was trying to cancel my reservation, she simply stated that I cannot have my money back, or credit for another stay. I was completely unaware that I had booked a non-refundable stay. Be very aware of the scamming that Choice Hotels does. Do not book online!!!
Reviewed Jan. 6, 2017
We went here for one night in room 103 (the first thing we noticed was a 22-round bullet out in the parking lot). The room smelled like cigarettes really strong then the closet door was not even installed. It was just sitting in front of the closet with no handle on it. The sink drain stopper was stuck in the stop position and wouldn't open, strands of hair on the sheets and the last straw was that the window had been forced open at some point and no longer locked. Since we were on the first floor we didn't feel safe. I then asked for a refund, since we only had the room for about 20 minutes, and the lady told me to call back in 3 days when the manager James would be available to do it for me. So there is no manager on staff the entire weekend
I called back on Monday to speak with manager and he says that we were there for 3 hours (not true at all, note that he was not there) and he said the room was trashed so he couldn't rent to other customers, which was also untrue. Me and my girlfriend checked the bed sheets so the blanket was pulled back and I used the bathroom (which is how I discovered the sink stopper was broken). He wants to just give us a 10% discount which is completely unacceptable. The manager says he will call me back, it has already been 2 hours... To be continued...
It is now Thursday, note we made our complaint on Monday, the manager James ** never called us back so we called the corporate office Choice Hotels that owns the hotel. They offered us a 50% discount, also unacceptable. I read that they have a customer satisfaction of 1.1 stars out of 5 on https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/choice_hotels.html
And I can see why. Even though they are completely in the wrong they refuse to do the right thing like a refund, apology for the inconvenience, and repair the room before making it available to people. A broken window latch on the first floor is NOT SAFE. Then they told us to convince James ** the manager who tried to just give us 10% for a refund. We tried calling the hotel and he went home at 3:30 pm early. Which didn't seem necessary to us, because he took the entire New Year's weekend off! Which is why we are in this mess to begin with!
Reviewed Dec. 29, 2016
I stayed at the comfort suites in Kansas City MO and woke up with something biting me and found the room was full of bedbugs. So I took pics. and grab a cup and took them down to front desk and told them they have bugs and my body is all eat up. She said she would have man spray in that room. I will never stay there anymore.
Reviewed Dec. 28, 2016
I had reserved a room using part points and part money. I cancelled the reservation a few days before the arrival date. When I got my credit card they had charged my account for the money part of the stay. I called Choice Privileges and told them that I had cancelled the room and was informed that they had credited the points back to my account but I would be charged for the room because I had bought points for the stay. I told them to take off the points from my account and credit my credit card. Both people I spoke with were rude and hateful and said that was not an option, No more Choice Privileges for me.
Reviewed Dec. 26, 2016
We've stayed at Choice Hotels for some 270 nights this year and have spent more time on the phone with them than anyone else in our life. First of all, I don't think any of these people have stayed in any of their Choice or Sleep Inn motels. Or ever inspected them. Or care about more than collecting their franchise fees. (See, e.g. the Sleep Inn University Pkwy Sarasota TripAdvisor reviews). But their rewards program is a mess.
First, we had problems joining because the hotel that issued it didn't do it correctly. Then, there's the E-mail offer that "you've won a free night after two night's stays". Nope, make that 8000 points toward a free night, which usually cost 12000 - 26000 here. Now, they send us a promotion that says "if you stay between December 15, 2016 and February 7, 2017, you'll be awarded double points for each night during that period". We stayed between December 14, 2016 through December 20, 2016. They wouldn't give us our points for December 15 through December 20, because they said we had to check in on December 15 to be eligible. Went back to the offer and it had four qualifications who has we met, and specifically said stay on the dates, nothing about when you check in. Like virtually every other rewards program.
But here's where their logic gets ridiculous - their rep told us that if we check in on December 15, but leave after February 7, we'll get our double points but not after that date. Get it? You can go one way, but not the other!? Just couldn't use logic to convince them they were wrong. This is all just too much trouble, dealing with these bureaucrats, who must have previously worked for the IRS. I'm done with all loyalty programs after this and won't ever stay in any Choice hotel until they inspect them and clean them up.
Reviewed Dec. 26, 2016
Choice Hotel online booking service is committing fraud. Several reviewers have had the same complaint. I booked my hotel online for Comfort Inn in Palo Alto, Ca. The dates were wrong, and I was charged for two rooms. I didn't realize that the date were changed in their (Choice) system automatically. As soon as I got my confirmation I called (10 minutes tops). I called the hotel first. The hotel stated that I would need to call Customer Affairs. Customer Affairs stated that I needed to contact the hotel. The hotel was willing to change the date and release one of the rooms for almost the same rate as having two rooms (a $20 saving).
Choice Hotels Company Information
- Company Name:
- Choice Hotels
- Website:
- www.choicehotels.com
