Easy Now Marriott, I May Blog About This....

As some of you may know we were in Cincinnati for soccer tournaments #3. Last week I was declared “da’ boss” by my husband and sons given the hotel I had secured in Dayton. For just $149 it was a modern, 2 bedroom hotel room (yes, 2 freakin’ bedrooms), full kitchen, continental breakfast and a Cracker Barrel in the parking lot. You’re welcome.

This weekend, we were scheduled to stay at Courtyard by Marriott. While I prefer Ian Schrager hotels in L.A., N.Y.C and Miami, one cannot be picky when you are at the mercy of the team mom booking hotel rooms. For just $127 you could land a closet or for $30 more you could have a 2 room suite. We chose the 2 room suite.

After games and dinner everyone was exhausted. I saw online that the hotel had a fire pit so I brought smores provisions along with my own personal pitchfork to roast the marshmallows with. I got a lot of amazing photos holding my pitchfork and when any parent spoke to me, I held the pitchfork upright while simultaneously keeping a straight face as they attempted not to break out in laughter.

Like Lord of the Flies, 8 tweener boys merrily skipped to the fire pit knowing they were going to get a smore. There were about 20 parents from another team surrounding the pit. Ass holes. We were supposed to be the fire pit parents.

Intimidated by the ring of parents, the boys visibly stopped right before the fire pit, turned around and looked at me; no one wanting to be the one to ask to use it.

“Clear the way,” I said to the team, still holding my pitchfork and 2 glasses of wine under my belt.

‘Take me to your leader,’ felt too dramatic for a Courtyard by Marriott, so again holding my pitchfork with a poker face, I said “My boys need to borrow your fire pit, do you mind?”

A wasted dad shook his head and without words pointed to the fire with his Budlight.

30 minutes later a few moms and I had moved into the bar. You’re welcome Marriott. Fortunately I had brought my own bottle of wine.

5 minutes later I was “served” with the following notice:

I’m not fucking signing it. I didn’t pay good money to reinact the fucking Purge. It was like 12 hours before we were going to be gone. I decided to write the following letter to the Marriott Manger while cc’ing Marriott corporate:

Good evening,

I went down to the courtyard around 9:30. I would say roughly 20 adults were around the fire pit. Our group composed of about 12, then various smaller groups. Why do you ask?

With regards to the letter, this is the first time I have ever heard of this and I have traveled countless times with my children as well as for business. If my sons are sitting quietly with me outside, where is the harm in this? Additionally, if you make the kids go in, the parents have to go in. If we go in, we do not spend money at your bar.

I checked in online and was never given the letter to sign. What was frustrating is at 10:15 PM, after several moms and I had moved into the bar to continue our fun, I was “served” the paper just to ensure I sign it. I did not sign it. In my mind, at 10:15 PM, it’s really a non-issue considering we are leaving just 12 hours later.

Also, one does not feel very welcomed when in this letter it is stated that you will be escorted off the property by the local police department if the noise continues. Was this necessary to put in the letter? This makes the family feel as if you are already expecting it (which maybe you are). As hotel staff, it is your responsibility to deal with issues on a case by case basis in lieu of restricting all the well behaved guests who are trying to enjoy every minute with their family and friends.

Regards,

Hot Mess

Fortunately, here is the below response:

Dear Hot Mess,

I really appreciate the feedback and will take under advisement with our leadership team. We will be refunding your room charges on your credit card today as a token of good will.

Thanks again,