One of the worst hotel experiences I have ever had.
Before travelling to Holiday Inn Express Burnley, I personally telephoned the hotel specifically to ask whether I could bring my cat. I was told that it was fine. I had also previously stayed at this same hotel with my cat around Christmas without any issue.
I then drove approximately four hours to Burnley for a family wedding, only to arrive and suddenly be told I could not stay with my cat.
The way I was treated at reception made an already terrible situation much worse. Instead of listening to what had happened or acknowledging that I had called beforehand, I found the staff extremely dismissive and rude. I was also told they had tried to contact me before my arrival. I received no call, missed call, voicemail, text or email whatsoever, and I actually showed staff my phone at reception.
IHG has since told me the hotel claims it contacted Hotelbeds two days beforehand because it supposedly didn't have my contact details. That still doesn't address the crucial fact that I contacted the hotel myself and was told my cat was permitted. Nor does it explain why nobody informed me when I had specifically taken the trouble to check before making such a long journey.
The hotel's own booking information also stated that guests could arrange to bring “pets” by contacting the property and listed a £25 pet fee. It did not state “dogs only” in the information I received. That is exactly what I did — I contacted the hotel.
Because I was refused the room, I had to get changed and ready for a family wedding in my car, look after and feed my cat in the car, attend the wedding and then drive all the way home afterwards. I eventually arrived home at approximately 5am after around nine hours of driving that day.
To add insult to injury, the hotel has now described my behaviour as “abusive”. I completely dispute that account. I was understandably upset after travelling for hours based on information their own hotel had given me, but I did not abuse their staff. I have asked IHG to investigate the incident properly, including the conflicting accounts and my concerns about how I was treated.
The hotel has also told IHG that it processed my refund back through Hotelbeds, yet I still have not received my £102 back.
This wasn't a minor inconvenience. I relied on information given directly by the hotel, travelled hundreds of miles, was left without accommodation, had to prepare for a wedding in my car and then drive home through the night.
Absolutely appalling handling of a guest complaint. I would not stay at Holiday Inn Express Burnley again and cannot recommend this hotel based on my experience. AWFUL RUDE INCOMPETENT STAFF.