Starwood Preferred Guest - Parking charged in 24 hour increments




kevinsac
Jun 12, 06, 2:24 pm
I stayed at the Sheraton LAX this weekend. It's a great property, and the staff is quite outgoing. I always get a very nice upgrade.

I have never had a car with me when staying here, so my problem this weekend is a first-time experience. And maybe I do not travel enough to know if this is a frequent issue at other properties, too.

The hotel's web site indicates "Valet Service and Pay Self Parking Facilities." The parking, as it turns out, is also a public lot, open to airport (and other events/business) guests. It is run by an outside company. The sign for the parking lot indicates, among other things, that they offer parking for the Sheraton Gateway. Plus, there is a sign in the hotel parking lot, pointing towards the self-park lot.

When I asked about parking, the front desk staff told me it was in the lot behind the building. Parking is $13.20 "a day." I have since called the front desk three times, each time speaking to various staff, and they all use the words "a day."

Typically, in a hotel, parking is charged by the day, meaning if you stay one night, you pay one fee for parking. Two nights at the hotel, then you pay double the parking fee.

As a Platinum, I sometimes use the late-check-out benefit. But I have still paid parking, based on the number of nights at the hotel.

Well, you can probably see where I am going. I checked into the hotel at noon on Thursday. Used late check-out on Saturday, 4 pm. And I was charged for 3 parking fees.

The sign at the parking lots says that there is a "daily maximum" fee, but no where does it define the "day" as 24-hour increments.

Granted, I know that most any public lot will charge a daily maxmium based on the 24-hour increments. However, I have never heard of a hotel doing so. I understand that the hotel does not own the parking facility. It is a separate business. But, when so often, hotel guests are at a property for only one night, but are on site for more than 24 hours, is it fair to charge additional fees after the 24th hour?

No where does it define that parking limit in 24 hours, and the hotel staff specifically say that parking is on "a day" basis.

Am I the only one who thinks this is unreasonable?

Parking lot supervisor says it's not his problem.....but "many" guests complain about this. Hotel front desk manager says "It's not a hotel issue, since they are a separate business."

K


redleft
Jun 15, 06, 3:06 pm
I actually think this is an interesting question. If the hotel tells you to go park somewhere and has on the web site that they offer self-parking and the signs you mentioned, then I think the 24 hour rule is bogus. William, your thoughts on this?

Starwood Lurker
Jun 15, 06, 3:13 pm
...William, your thoughts on this?

My thoughts are...like with any hotel-related issue...that if someone has a hotel-related problem, they should run it by Corporate Customer Service and see what happens.

My personal opinion on hotel-related issues really means nothing and carries even less weight than that. ;)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com


vdb seeker
Jun 17, 06, 11:06 pm
Could be worse...the last time I stayed at one of the Disney hotels (which was not a Starwood hotel) they charged for valet parking "by the day" as well. Turns out they meant CALENDAR day, so 46 hours of parking cost 3 "days."



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