jawn-vee
December 15, 2023
I was initially inclined to give this hotel a five-star rating. The room was decent for the price, and the pool/hot tub provided a welcome respite after exploring the national park. However, my interaction with the staff was unexpectedly difficult and frankly bewildering, casting a shadow over what had otherwise been an enjoyable birthday weekend in Joshua Tree. On the morning of our departure, my father, who was staying at another hotel nearby, fell ill. He was driving towards us, en route to catch a flight from San Diego and needed to use our restroom before embarking on a lengthy drive. This request coincided with our checkout time, so I called the hotel to request a late checkout, which was denied. While the refusal was perplexing given the apparent emptiness of the hotel, I wouldn't fault them solely for that. What ensued was a rather uncomfortable situation. Hotel staff began loitering around our room 10 minutes before checkout, seemingly eager to enter. Their impatience was palpable, with disapproving glances and noticeable frustration as if to convey, "Why are you still here? It's time to check out!" Due to my father's illness, he overstayed by a few minutes past the 11 am checkout. It was at this point he disclosed that he had tested positive for COVID. I promptly opened windows for ventilation and informed the staff, who I believe was one of the owners. Instead of understanding the urgency, she just got angry, insisting my father lacked permission to use the restroom. She expressed her displeasure, making it clear our child couldn't enter to use a towel from the room to dry off from the pool, and emphasizing the need for us to leave ASAP. As my parents live on the other side of the country, bidding farewell under these circumstances, being essentially forced out of a seemingly deserted hotel parking lot I had paid to stay in, was disheartening. Dealing with my father's illness and travel logistics was challenging enough, but the inflexible checkout policies and lack of empathy from the staff added unnecessary stress. Regrettably, based on this experience, I wouldn't consider staying at this hotel again.