I booked a room for my friend online coming up from Massachusetts. I asked the hostel or rather the company that answers the phone for them some questions before booking. (I think it was the actual Hostel answering the phone and that he lied to me). Apparently there was misunderstanding about checking in. I though you could check in at anytime.
The phone answerer told me that you could come and go as you please at anytime, but not check in, only he didn't say that way. He yelled at me as if I should be ashamed and as if I should know better than to even ask questions about arrivals and check in.
I know it's only a hostel but people dealing with paying customers should not be talking to them like that. I told him that he does not need to talk to me like that. He told me the latest you could check in was at 8pm and that if I looked carefully on the site, it said that. I looked and I relooked at the site that I booked it with (Hostelz.com) and it said no such thing.
I called back later and he answered the phone "Yep, " and I asked for his name and he said that he doesn't have to give me it and asked "What do you want" at that point I hung up. I can not recall a time where I was met with such overwhelming rudeness and gross unprofessionalism. Imagine a person coming all the way from Europe. Imagine their flight got delayed. If they came any later than eight o'clock they would not have a place to stay. I have never heard of such a thing.
I have stayed at many hostels abroad and in the US and I could check in at anytime I wanted and they were very clear about the rules. I'm telling anyone who visits DC to not do business with Simpkins/Capitol City Hostel. Why do business with someone who yells at you for asking relevant questions, scolds you, and answers the phone Yep. This tells you that they are unreliable, unprofessional and unacceptable as a business.
I also blame Hostelz.com for a misleading description. The site doesn't tell you pertenant information about check in or anything. It also says that it is in a safe, middle class neighborhood, which it is not. If you don't check in you get charged for the night's fee. It is funny how they don't tell you you cannot come after 8pm.
Lucinda
Boston, Massachusetts
U.S.A.
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