JK
Jenny & Kayla
Feb 12, 2026
My daughter and I had a 2 night stay at this hotel booked because we would be in town for a concert. I'm my mom's caregiver (she's completely bedridden) and something came up where we wouldn't be able to arrive until a day later. I called the hotel to let them know that we wouldn't be able to arrive until February 21st, instead of February 20th. The front desk person told me that since I have a nonrefundable rate, my reservation can't be changed to a 1 day reservation from a 2 day. I asked if we can just change the dates so we arrive on the 21st and still stay 2 nights. She said no. Dates can't be changed. I asked if we can just forfeit the money for the first night, but arrive on the 21st, since it's paid for. She said no. If we don't arrive on the 20th, the system will say we are a "no show" and cancel out our reservation. I explained the situation, and was told there is nothing she can do. I should have just booked a refundable reservation. I said at the time of booking, I didn't think I would need one, but life happens. The woman would not try to help at all, and we aren't financially in a position to waste money, which is why I didn't pay extra for a refundable reservation when I didn't think one would be needed.
Prior to this, I never understood why people we know dislike Best Western and refuse to stay there. We've always had such good experiences with Best Western hotels in Los Angeles, St. Louis, Aurora (IL), etc. Clean rooms, friendly helpful staff, hot breakfast, etc. But after this experience, I will never recommend Best Western to family and friends again. This policy is ridiculous. Not that they care, but they just lost a long time customer.
Update: Location responded with one of the most tone deaf responses and lack of empathy. I'm not going to get into the situation that is going on with my mom at home, but as someone that spends my life working a stressful full-time job, raising my daughter alone, and caring for my mom in a hospital bed in our home...a night or two away is a huge deal for me and my daughter. It's not something we get to do often. My daughter was excited about this trip to see two of her favorite performers in concert, and now I won't have money to buy her souvenirs because I had to book a whole new reservation at a different hotel. $250 from the original reservation down the drain. Paying upfront and inadvance was a big mistake. They disguise it as a great promotion, but it's just a way to screw people over. In all the years I spent as a Travel Agent helping people plan trips and helping them navigate when things go wrong in their lives, I have never encountered a hotel that was so inflexible and unwilling to do anything to try to help. Most places will try to make some type of accommodation based on circumstances. Shame on Best Western for putting profit over people....even over loyal customers.