Alexis Park Inn

I am curious just why you have a 72 hour cancellation policy. It is not
normal for hotels and it would be a show stopper for me. I looked at the
web site and it also gives no reason for the policy. I can understand the
special event policy although I don't agree with it.

Because, when you have just 27 suites -- and each one is unique -- you can't
afford to let irresponsible (or dishonorable) people reserve suites that
they have no intention of using.

When you reserve a suite at our place, it is "guaranteed." Basically, we
will hold it for you all night, no matter what, possibly turning away half a
dozen people who wanted that suite.

Sadly, we have discovered that a small (but growing) subset of humans are
complete as*holes, who book suites with no intention of showing up. I
suspect these are the same people that don't return library books, fail to
return rented movies when they are due, don't show up for parties after
RSVP-ing, and/or perform any number of other mildly dishonest and
dishonorable actions. It's truly sad.

If I owned a 100-room Super 8, it wouldn't matter a bit -- one room is the
same as the next, and no one cares WHICH room they get. However, if I've
turned away someone who wanted (for example) the "Blackbird Suite" (because
they are really, really into the SR-71), I'm screwed if the guest who
reserved it cancels at the last minute -- or, far worse, simply doesn't show
up.

In our place, offering the "Red Baron Suite" to someone who's into high
performance jets just doesn't work.

I've lost count of the number of hundred dollar bills I would have burned,
waiting for SOBs that never show up and never call. Which is why we get a
credit card number when they make a "guaranteed" reservation -- and then run
it for the full amount of their reservation when they don't show up.

If you're as depressed about this as I am, take heart: We have never, EVER
been stiffed by a pilot.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"John Theune" wrote in message
I am curious just why you have a 72 hour cancellation policy. It is not
normal for hotels and it would be a show stopper for me.

Thought I've not been there, my understanding is that it is not anywhere
near a "normal" hotel. Why would it have "normal" policies? If you want
normal, go down the street and book a no-tell.

You need to compare Jay's rooms with the Bridal or Presidential Suite of
most other motels. If you did, I think you'd find cancellation policies
much more restrictive than "normal."

Even without Dighera's unsolicited expert advice, I'm sure Jay has found a
happy medium somewhere between "restrictive" and "profitable" that suits
him, his customers and his bank account just fine.

--
Jim Fisher

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:di9Fd.2514$EG1.477@attbi_s53...
Congradulations Jay for getting mentioned in the 11 January Wall Street
Journal! As the saying goes any press is good press!

Really?

I don't subscribe to the WSJ -- is there an on-line version of the
article?
What did they say about us?

(I know they interviewed Mary last week -- when I had laryngitis -- about
our cancellation policy...)

Women NEVER get laryngitis. :~(

(I know they interviewed Mary last week -- when I had laryngitis -- about
our cancellation policy...)

Women NEVER get laryngitis. :~(

I actually went EIGHT DAYS without a voice!

The kids were ecstatic. Mary thought it was hilarious -- until she had to
take all of my calls. Then, she was suddenly rooting for me to recover
more quickly!

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 13:07:21 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:

I don't subscribe to the WSJ -- is there an on-line version of the article?
What did they say about us?

Don't get too excited, but yes, it's there, issue of Jan 11:

Travel Watch
Canceling Hotel Reservations

By AVERY JOHNSON
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Some hotels are making it tougher to cancel a booking.

As business travelers hit the road again, many hotels are requiring
guests to cancel 24 hours before arrival, while others are extending
the cancellation window to as long as 72 hours, in an attempt to make
more money on the newly profitable rooms. It's a significant change:
In recent years, most hotels -- especially business properties --
would let people cancel up until 6 p.m. the day of arrival.

The Swissotel Chicago put in a 72-hour policy this fall. The hotel
used to require 24-hour notice. And when new owners took over the
Alexis Park Inn & Suites in Iowa City more than two years ago, they
put in a 72-hour policy.

In New York, where the lodging recovery has been perhaps strongest,
many hotels now have 24-hour windows, and some have longer
requirements. The City Club Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel, shifted
its policy to 48 hours from 24 hours in early 2004.


-- all the best, Dan Ford

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