As a pilot, I spend a lot of nights in hotels.indeed, since 1995 I've spent literally thousands of nights in hotel rooms. This stay rates in the top two in terms of negative experiences.
The hotel was hosting a party in its ballroom. Of course, the modern architecture of the hotel means that the ballroom is open to the fourth floor, and the music was clearly audible (especially the bass line) throughout those parts of the building that I explored. Add to that the constant slamming of doors (including the fire doors that were closed in an attempt to reduce noise) and it was impossible for me to get any sleep until the party ended.
At about midnight (with the party still going strong) I went down to the front desk to find out what was going on. The person was very apologetic, but said there was nothing he could do about the noise. He did tell me that the party was due to be over by 1 A.M., and he did offer me a smoking room on an upper floor. But, given that there was now less than an hour to go, and most of that hour would be spent moving rooms, I declined his offer.
At about 1:15 AM, with the music still going strong, I called the front desk to enquire. I was told (by a very rude individual) that the party was going to continue until 2 A.M. And that was that.
I subsequently called Hilton's corporate reservation number out of frustration. After I explained the situation, they suggested that I call the police. When I explained that the party was sanctioned by the hotel, they cancelled that recommendation and put me through to the front desk. I again spoke with the first gentleman (the nice one) who now said the part would end at 2 A.M. And that he would be happy to move me to a smoking room on the upper floor. Given that it was now almost 1:45 A.M. And that (as we spoke) the music seemed to stop, I again declined.
At about 5 A.M., I was awoken by sounds of the load out, but it wasn't that long and I was beyond rational discussion. As such, I did not call to complain.
The next morning, I met my crewmate for breakfast. He had spent the night on an upper floor. While he said he did not hear the music, he was kept up half the night with doors slamming and party goers talking and laughing loudly.in addition, at about 6 A.M., he was awoken by kids running around in the hallway, slamming doors.
Both during check-in and check-out, I noticed a large number of pilots. When we're on duty, a lot of us work 14-hours (or more), and are lucky to get ten hours to squeeze in dinner, laundry, sleep and breakfast (i.E. About six hours of sleep). It stands to reason that a hotel that caters to pilots (or anyone other than the party-goers) needs to think twice before authorizing that kind of a party.
Suffice to say, I'm working with dispatch to ensure that none of our flight crews ever have to stay there again.
Followup: I spoke with the customer care folks at HiltonHonors, and they assured me that the manager would call. Well, it's been a week and still no call.
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