Originally Posted by
flyerCO
The hotel has a duty to provide a habitable accommodation. In most jurisdictions, this would mean power, water, heat (and in some places AC) and safe building (ie structurally sound).
Not providing anyone one of these most likely means they can't charge. In fact allowing you to occupy unit itself may be illegal.
I think most get stuff happens. However the hotel is still responsible when one of their vendors fails. (Electric company fails to give power, water company can't provide water, etc..)
I had this exact type thing, oddly enough at a RI, but in Seattle. Hotel argued it wasn't their fault no power. Marriott CS had to point out it doesn't matter. I also filed complaint with city code compliance. They were not happy to hear hotel thought was OK to rent rooms with no power and thus no heat.
We can all just say things like "there is a duty" and it "may be illegal." I can also make up strong statements unsupported by fact But of course, it is not illegal for a hotel to continue to provide shelter in the middle of a tornado after the power grid goes out. Common law recognizes natural disasters, even if some posters here do not.
I'm pretty sure you didn't have the exact same situation in Seattle given I don't think there has ever been a tornado there.