I'm not throwing too far back today, in fact I'm only taking you back a few weeks ago to our first night in Barcelona, Spain while on our Spring Trip to Europe.
La Pedera (c)travelincousins.com
It was Day 8 of 20 and we had arrived into town just before our dinner reservations.
Planning to eat first and then check into to our centrally located penthouse reserved apartment with a balcony and view.
Being that this was a road-trip, I had thought about and wondered what the parking situation was at the apartment building, and so since the restaurant had wifi and I was only making calls using wifi I had attempted to call the property and when there was no answer I went ahead and called the booking agent to inquire about the parking.
Planning to eat first and then check into to our centrally located penthouse reserved apartment with a balcony and view.
Being that this was a road-trip, I had thought about and wondered what the parking situation was at the apartment building, and so since the restaurant had wifi and I was only making calls using wifi I had attempted to call the property and when there was no answer I went ahead and called the booking agent to inquire about the parking.
The booking agent also wasn't able to get a hold of anyone at the apartments, which of course was a big red flag.
I suggested that we go on foot to the apartment and find out in person.
So after dinner we went, it was only a few blocks away and when we arrived the door to the building was locked and there was no one there to assist us!
I also had no wifi at the time and couldn't make any calls from the front of the building. However, lucky for us there was a hotel (H10 Metropolitan) directly across the street. So we wandered over there. I spoke to the woman at the front desk and explained our dire situation, also asking if they had any rooms available (if it came down to this) and lastly if we could use their wifi - I was told that they were fully booked and that we could not use their wifi!
We were however offered to use a computer in the lobby.
I was a bit shocked, because I REALLY needed to get in touch with the booking agent and doing so via chat or email just wasn't going to do the job.
I did however make an attempt, only to be told that I needed to call.
At that we left the hotel in search of wifi. Once we exited the building, we saw a couple who had just arrived at the same apartment building that we were booked at.
I rushed over to talk with them and they had actually spoke to someone who was on the way over to let them in. Whew were we received!
But once the gentleman had come down and opened the door, he explained that he had nothing to do with the company who rented to us and that he was just a private party (airbnb) rental.
He then suggested we use a free wifi that was available at a nearby plaza. Off we went in that direction, in search of working wifi so that I could make my urgent phone call!
Finding no such working wifi at the plaza, we were off again in search of perhaps another hotel that would actually allow us use of their wifi.
I suggested that we go on foot to the apartment and find out in person.
So after dinner we went, it was only a few blocks away and when we arrived the door to the building was locked and there was no one there to assist us!
I also had no wifi at the time and couldn't make any calls from the front of the building. However, lucky for us there was a hotel (H10 Metropolitan) directly across the street. So we wandered over there. I spoke to the woman at the front desk and explained our dire situation, also asking if they had any rooms available (if it came down to this) and lastly if we could use their wifi - I was told that they were fully booked and that we could not use their wifi!
We were however offered to use a computer in the lobby.
I was a bit shocked, because I REALLY needed to get in touch with the booking agent and doing so via chat or email just wasn't going to do the job.
I did however make an attempt, only to be told that I needed to call.
At that we left the hotel in search of wifi. Once we exited the building, we saw a couple who had just arrived at the same apartment building that we were booked at.
I rushed over to talk with them and they had actually spoke to someone who was on the way over to let them in. Whew were we received!
But once the gentleman had come down and opened the door, he explained that he had nothing to do with the company who rented to us and that he was just a private party (airbnb) rental.
He then suggested we use a free wifi that was available at a nearby plaza. Off we went in that direction, in search of working wifi so that I could make my urgent phone call!
Finding no such working wifi at the plaza, we were off again in search of perhaps another hotel that would actually allow us use of their wifi.
The first hotel that we stumbled upon was Olivia Plaza Hotel, again explaining to the front desk agent what our awful situation was and asking if they had any available rooms. They too were fully booked, however they were happy to allow my use of their wifi.
After phoning in and being on the phone for a while, we were approached by security and told that we had to leave the lobby, as they were locking up.
As we walked out of the building we were told that the wifi would still work outside.
So there I was leashed to the wifi on the phone standing between the hotel and a bakery almost like a homeless person.
After phoning in and being on the phone for a while, we were approached by security and told that we had to leave the lobby, as they were locking up.
As we walked out of the building we were told that the wifi would still work outside.
So there I was leashed to the wifi on the phone standing between the hotel and a bakery almost like a homeless person.
Exhaustion and frustration built, my calls would get disconnected, and no one would call me back. I was determined to resolve this situation and continued to call back.
Some of these calls took well over an hour!
I was seriously losing it and losing my perseverance. I just wanted a bed and to go to sleep.
Finally after already dozing off on the phone, being disconnected (again) and ready to give up, I figured I was going to call one last time and request to speak with a supervisor.
What you may not realize is that the kids, Dave and myself had been standing out there on the street for hours upon hours.
It was now going on 5am and we were soooooo DONE.
I was seriously losing it and losing my perseverance. I just wanted a bed and to go to sleep.
Finally after already dozing off on the phone, being disconnected (again) and ready to give up, I figured I was going to call one last time and request to speak with a supervisor.
What you may not realize is that the kids, Dave and myself had been standing out there on the street for hours upon hours.
It was now going on 5am and we were soooooo DONE.
This last call was going to be it!
The supervisor had communicated with relocation services and would return to my call to keep me posted as to what was going on.
Here's the story - the city was completely BOOKED - over booked in fact. Later on finding out that it was because there was both an Adele and a Coldplay concert in town.
Finally the supervisor coming back to the line to let me know that there was one and only one hotel available that would be a similar starred property, although not as centrally located. However still not being available this night (or morning), and not until the following day.
WHATEVER - I'll take it!
The name of the hotel was given to me and as the agent was adjusting our booking, I had looked up where we would be staying....
Once I pulled up the webpage - what I saw had me nearly falling to the floor!
We had just been booked into a GAY hotel, and one that was clearly an Adult (over 18yr) property - let me remind you that I was traveling with my 2 kids...
While all of this is happening, the shop owner of the bakery arrives and starts shooing us away from her shop - as if we were freakin vermin!
This was more than a bit beyond ridiculous. There I was on holiday and now I was being treated like a bum.
Well I couldn't take it anymore, I took our confirmation number down and then headed straight for the parking garage where our rental car was parked. There was nothing left to do but take a nap, before starting the next day (which was only a few hours away).
Waking up a few hours later and needing a toilet, Cosette and I ventured out of the parking garage in search of a bathroom.
Of course we were already waaaay off of schedule, but I really didn't want to stress over it. Once we got back to the car, we woke the boys, and then I figured that we should head in the direction of our new hotel.
Upon arrival finding the nicest staff, although also finding out that the stupid booking agent (expedia.com) had only booked us one room - which is fine at certain hotels.
The supervisor had communicated with relocation services and would return to my call to keep me posted as to what was going on.
Here's the story - the city was completely BOOKED - over booked in fact. Later on finding out that it was because there was both an Adele and a Coldplay concert in town.
Finally the supervisor coming back to the line to let me know that there was one and only one hotel available that would be a similar starred property, although not as centrally located. However still not being available this night (or morning), and not until the following day.
WHATEVER - I'll take it!
The name of the hotel was given to me and as the agent was adjusting our booking, I had looked up where we would be staying....
Once I pulled up the webpage - what I saw had me nearly falling to the floor!
We had just been booked into a GAY hotel, and one that was clearly an Adult (over 18yr) property - let me remind you that I was traveling with my 2 kids...
While all of this is happening, the shop owner of the bakery arrives and starts shooing us away from her shop - as if we were freakin vermin!
This was more than a bit beyond ridiculous. There I was on holiday and now I was being treated like a bum.
Well I couldn't take it anymore, I took our confirmation number down and then headed straight for the parking garage where our rental car was parked. There was nothing left to do but take a nap, before starting the next day (which was only a few hours away).
Waking up a few hours later and needing a toilet, Cosette and I ventured out of the parking garage in search of a bathroom.
Of course we were already waaaay off of schedule, but I really didn't want to stress over it. Once we got back to the car, we woke the boys, and then I figured that we should head in the direction of our new hotel.
Upon arrival finding the nicest staff, although also finding out that the stupid booking agent (expedia.com) had only booked us one room - which is fine at certain hotels.
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But this hotel has a maximum of 2ppl per room and only 1 bed. They hotel had also informed us that although the kids are more than welcome to stay, they wanted us to be aware that they are listed as an ADULT ONLY property and for 18 and over crowd.
So there I was on the phone for hours once again, and arguing with the booking agent who did not want to reserve us a second room and had wanted to relocate us once again - that my friends was so NOT gonna happen!
I was over it. I needed my vacation back on track. Too much of my holiday was already consumed with this Bullsh*t.
And finally they gave in and booked our second room.
In the end, we were more than happy with our little unique hotel, the amazing manager and the marvelous staff.
But now that I'm back home and I have more time, I really need to get back on the phone with the booking agent and demand retribution for our lost time!
My Travel Mis-Adventures,
-T
So there I was on the phone for hours once again, and arguing with the booking agent who did not want to reserve us a second room and had wanted to relocate us once again - that my friends was so NOT gonna happen!
I was over it. I needed my vacation back on track. Too much of my holiday was already consumed with this Bullsh*t.
And finally they gave in and booked our second room.
In the end, we were more than happy with our little unique hotel, the amazing manager and the marvelous staff.
But now that I'm back home and I have more time, I really need to get back on the phone with the booking agent and demand retribution for our lost time!
My Travel Mis-Adventures,
-T