I thought the concept was limited service until the Aloft desk clerk told and showed me otherwise.

Checked into the Aloft Montreal Airport. The combination of an morning flight, a rate that included parking, and the multiple bonus points offers, not to mention curiosity about the new Aloft brand convinced me to check it out by booking a room the night before my flight.

On check in, the woman at the concrete podium informed me that, although I had booked a rate that included seven days of parking, that I would be required to pay $10 for the first night's parking.

Me: But parking is included in the rate!
Aloft Employee: Well, you still have to pay $10 for the first night's parking, then the rest of the nights are included.
Me: That's not what it said on the website when I booked it (spg.com, the terms and conditions for the rate).
AE: It may not have said it on the computer, but that's the way it is! You have to pay the $10. That's the way it's been for 3 weeks.
Me: If there's an extra charge, it really should be stated in the terms.
AE: Whatever. There's a $10 charge. You're getting the room for cheaper than the usual price anyway, so what's the problem? (The park and fly rate is $139).

I still had time to cancel and told her so. I offered to show her the T & C s on the computer or call the Platinum concierge for help (note to self - enter Plat Concierge number into cellphone. Makes the gesture smoother than searching in the wallet for the card I'd taken out before the last trip). She told me that I could speak with a manager, and I accepted. She disappeared behind a gray door for a few minutes, then stormed out.

AE: They changed it and didn't tell me! It used to be like that. You don't have to pay the extra $10. But it used to be like that. And (again) you're getting the room for cheaper than the usual rate.

Me: Yes, but not for cheaper than the $95 (or so) sale rate that was available the day I booked it.

AE: Whatever.

No apology, no acknowledgement that she had been incorrect and VERY insistent and rude about it.

Further discussion - breakfast is included, but she wasn't certain what that meant. So, can I just raid the pantry for whatever and however much I want? She didn't know, but reminded me "It's just breakfast!". Ok.

I suggested she might be careful about how she uses the word "whatever" when talking to customers. Her tone was more petulant teenager than W "whatever, whenever" (but I don't expect the W at Aloft).

She hands me the key packet.

AE: "You have a loft with a great view of the airport." With a smile. The room did have a view - of the vast expanses of the EconoParc lot. I guess the parking lot is technically airport property. I asked her about it later. She thought the odd numbered rooms had airport views. But maybe not the odd numbered rooms in the 30s. Whatever.

She did mention the 250 bonus points for plats. I asked (out of curiousity, as I wasn't certain), whether there were other amenity options.

AE: No, just the points. We're a no service hotel.

Obviously.

Checked out the pool, gym, lobby, room. It's essentially a tarted-up Motel 6 (albeit with Bliss toiletries and a cool TV), at almost double the rate.

Whatever.