I recently visited Homewood Suites Epic for my daughter's very first sleepover -- so my nerves were…read morealready doing the absolute most. What I did not know was that the Illustrious Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated -- the ABSOLUTELY BEST sorority ever -- were also having ceremonies that night. Beautiful for them, chaotic for me.
I pulled up expecting valet, only to be told valet was reserved exclusively for the AKAs that evening. Now listen... I respect it. If anybody's going to get special treatment, it's the ladies in pink and green. But for me? Whew. That meant I started driving... and driving... and driving. Forty minutes, y'all. FORTY.
Between the restaurants, the event, and the already limited parking, it was a full scavenger hunt with no treasure.
I finally tried the parking deck -- only to discover it ends abruptly at the top with no turnaround space. No warning signs, no heads-up, nothing. And because it's Girl Scout cookie season, I'm in our extended Escalade. Picture me at the top of this deck, realizing I have to reverse all the way back down. I could've cried. Actually, I did cry. My daughter is in the back asking if she's still going to the party, and I'm trying to be brave while my anxiety is sky-high.
I went back to valet, desperate, and they basically said, "It's just a bad night for parking." At this point, I'm ready to cancel everything and go home.
I called the front desk and spoke with a woman named Miccah (I hope I'm spelling that right). She was so calm and reassuring. She told me there were 12 underground parking spaces available, so I felt a little better. I drove down there... and there were only two spots left -- both for electric vehicles. And the elevator? Not working.
Now I'm underground, no reception, no parking, no elevator, and a 9‑year‑old with me. I drove back up and called Miccah again like, "Girl, just cancel this. I can't do this. I've been circling this place for 40 minutes."
And then -- the turning point.
She said, "My manager is walking outside right now. He's going to move his car so you can have his parking space."
When I tell you Alexander came outside and did EXACTLY that... that man was a blessing. He moved his own car so I could park safely and get my daughter to her sleepover. That is customer service times 1,000.
When I checked in, I told him I felt like I was about to pass out. He said, "Ms. Page, don't pass out, don't pass out -- do you need a Coke?" And he actually brought me one. The kindness, the attentiveness, the humanity -- it meant everything after the ordeal I'd just been through.
Because of Miccah and Alexander, what started as a nightmare turned into a stay I will never forget. Hilton, keep them. Celebrate them. Promote them. They are the reason I didn't break down in that parking lot.
But Hilton... please fix that parking situation. It was truly ridiculous.
And to the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated -- the absolutely BEST sorority ever -- congratulations on your ceremonies. Y'all looked beautiful, and I love that the hotel rolled out the pink-and-green carpet for you. I just wish the parking deck had rolled out a little grace for the rest of us too.
Thank you to Miccah and Alexander for rescuing my night and making my daughter's first sleepover a success.