Ok, here’s the story.
I reserved a cabin for a group of friends in October for Jan. 8 - 11 from the same company we used last year (with no problems). I made sure to pick a cabin with all of the amenities - two hot tubs, two kitchens, gas fireplaces, etc. (It was actually two units that could be separately rented that were connected). I specifically found a cabin that allowed smoking due to the fact that January in Indiana is COLD, and something like half of the attendants would be smokers.
When we checked in on Thursday the 8th (our group of 12 having been whittled down to 8 due to sucky jobs), I was a little confused by the fact that I had to initial on the line regarding “no smoking or you pay $100,” but I just figured that it was standard paperwork. Then, she says that one of the hot tubs was closed “for the season” or “for maintenance” or something. Well damn! Glad we weren’t just renting THAT half! We didn’t think anything of it and signed away.
Well, we get to the cabin, and find that the hot tub has been closed because it doesn’t meet state health department regulations (there’s a note on the cover). HUNH?? That’s not what she said - and that’s scary! What’s the problem? Shock the damned thing (it’s a product used to kill microorganisms quickly in pools and hot tubs) and let us use it. But we didn’t say anything.
Then, sharp-eyed “Liz” sees that the information card left next to the phone in the cabin specifies “no smoking, no pets.” I’m scratching my head here, looking at the three people sitting on the couch smoking at that moment. So I call the office and mention it. The girl puts me on hold, asks around, checks the website, etc. and finds that smoking is NOT allowed in the cabin. Well fuck a duck! She says her last resort is to call the property owner (as they are just the managers) and ask him. Half an hour later - no go. Damn. I call the one guy who is coming down after work to see if he has the info I gave him when I reserved the cabin, but he can’t find it.
So we survive the weekend with one hot tub for eight people and running outside in PJs, robes, slippers, and blankets every half an hour to smoke. Not too bad, but we thought we were covered (and it WAS a smoking cabin in October - I had someone check; plus, one spot on their website still says it’s a smoking cabin!).
So we’ve been home for a couple of weeks, and I’m beginning to think I need to write them a letter - especially about the hot tub. I plan on including all of my “documentation” regarding the smoking thing. One of our attendees suggested asking for a partial refund, due to the fact that the hot tub wasn’t available.
So whaddaya think? Letter - phone call - email? Nice - nasty - reaaaaally pissed?