On Monday, August 19, 2019, I checked into the Residence Inn Binghamton for one night, Guest #77642. The room I was provided was 813, on the first floor which had a musty smell. However, I was only sleeping there as I was moving my daughter into her dorm at the University of Binghamton. I got my daughter settled in her dorm and I was sweating. I was also meeting parents for dinner. I went to take a shower and it was ice cold. I shut it off and waited 20 minutes assuming that the water was connected to all rooms and there was excessive use at the time. The hotel barely had occupants so I couldn't understand why I had no hot water. I took a cold shower because I couldnt go out dirty. After my ice cold shower, I went to the front desk and spoke with a very rude woman at the front desk. She stated that the water is not connected to any other units and that she'll see what maintenance has to say. I did say that I tried it twice and this is ridiculous as no one is here and there should be hot water. She said, "Again, I will have to see what maintenance says." I left, went out, and came back. I went to the front desk to see if this was rectified. The front desk associate was flirtting with a utility worker and I waited 10 minutes to speak to her. The did not acknowledge my presence, nor did she say, "I'll be right with you." Instead they were were discussing his job and how other trucks were coming. Finally, he left, she said that there was nothing wrong with the water and that she will show me how to use a shower. She left the front desk, marched in front of me and lead the way. She turned on the shower and said "There you are, hot water." I do not appreciate being spoken to in that tone and I told her I was reporting this to Marriott, which I did. She told me to do what I want and slammed the door as she left the room. I was exhausted and went to sleep as I had to be on the road by 630 am.
I woke up and went to take my morning shower. Once again, ice cold water. As I was brushing my teerth, I saw from the corner of my eye the toliet which had caked on brown or green dirt on top of the bowl. I took a picture but wasn't putting my face in the bowl. I still cannot determine the color but it is obvious that the toliet was not cleaned properly. I took a quick shower, got dressed and went to the front desk to check out and ask to speak to the manager. I was told by a very nice young girl that he wouldn't be in until 9 am. I told her that I was contacting coorporate and also took the managers card. I left by 645 am.
On the road, I received a bill. It was the correct amount but one would think after two cold showers they would do something with the bill. I then receive another email with a smoking charge of $250.00 plus $20.00 in tax. Upon arriving home, I called the hotel to speak to Dennis Brown the manager. At first he played that he didn't know who I was then I refreshed his memory. I mean really, how many complaints can you have in one night in an empty hotel? He stated that he has pictures of cigarette smoke in the room. I told him that was complete bullshit. He said once I sent him the toliet bowl pictures, he would send me the images of cigarette smoke. I knew he was lying because there was no smoking done in the room. I sent him the toliet bowl pictures and he sent me nothing. I told him during our conversation that the first rude employee who came into the room didn't smell or see smoke otherwise, it would've been on the bill. I said that perhaps his staff put it there as I was given a hard time. Mr. Brown stated, not one of his employees smokes, which is another lie because I saw two smoking outside. The conversation ended that he was going to send me proof that I was smoking in the room and he was not taking off the charge and hung up on me. I called customer complaints, spoke to Megan and was provided a case #159173764 and was told that Marriott would be in contact with me. No one has called or emailed me in regards to this matter. I am not paying for a smoking charge when I DID NOT SMOKE IN THE ROOM. Am I a smoker? Yes. Did I clean out my bag in the room? Yes. Could there have been an empty pack of cigarettes due to cleaning out my bag? Absolutely. However, this does not constitute smoking in a room and I have a vape, JUUL, which I use often to try and stop smoking. I do not smoke in my home or car and I for sure did not smoke in the hotel room. I've never been charged a smoking fee, which you can check by viewing my other visits to Marriott properties. read more