Teleidoscope

Mon, Jun 18, 2007

Hotel

Posted at 10:00 pm MDT to Travel

The hotel we use in San Jose changed ownership at the beginning of the month. They have fewer cars in the parking lot than I have ever seen, and I can't say I'm really surprised. I think they are doing a good job of not giving people a reason to come back.

They had no record of my confirmed reservation, and hit me with a higher charge than I am used to paying as a walk-in.

Their new keycards are printed upside-down.

My keycard didn't work when I came in after work. The man at the desk said it had expired after one night, which was wrong since I was scheduled for a two-night stay. I am actually scheduled for a 5 night stay. Just as well I found out about that problem now, so we could fix it.

The room (on the other side of the building from ones I've used in the past) has no visible, usable electric outlets. I finally found a place to plug in my laptop buried behind some furniture, but the only socket in the room that doesn't have something plugged into it is not properly seated in the wall. And one nearby that is fully occupied does not have a faceplate: just an outlet sitting in a hole in the wall.

I have my cellphone charger plugged-in in the bathroom: the only other available socket. The closet is stocked with an iron and ironing-board, but I think I can state with confidence that no one has ever used them in this room.

The broadband is working and the breakfast is still OK, and the TV and clockradio are both functioning without problems (for a change).

But I think I may try another hotel the next time I come to Silicon Valley.

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