Best Western University Inn, Boca Raton, Fl -- Don't Go There

Boca Raton, FL. January 24, 2009. Normally, we stay at Best Western or Hilton's Hampton Inn hotels.  The level of amenities suits us, as does the price. And we like the points and discounts in their travel clubs.  We always book well in advance since we need to arrange our work schedules early, too.

Just before we travel, we always call to confirm our reservation and make sure our no-smoking room will have the features we need (microwave, refrigerator, hi-speed Internet) and be prepared without perfumed sprays and chemicals.  An allergic outbreak can ruin a vacation.

Our early booking, pre-travel confirmation procedure has ensured many flawless vacations from Maine to California and lots of points in between.  But it failed miserably at the Best Western University Inn in Boca Raton, Florida.  Maybe because the property is undergoing a renovation which will be completed in early February; maybe because Mark, the Manager had a fight with his wife.

When we called a week before traveling to review the features and preparation, the desk clerk confirmed our reservation at $135/night, but said it was not possible to prepare the room non-allergenically.  

We asked to speak with the Manager.  Mark came on the line and softened "not possible" to something like we can try, but won't guarantee success.  He said "We use Best Western supplied cleaning materials.  They may not work for you."  And besides, "We're undergoing renovation and the dust might bother you."  We said we'd cope with the dust (they're finishing some exterior work) if he'd make sure the room was prepared without perfumed chemicals.

We had a grudging "deal," although we really wondered why we had to coach a manager to treat us like guests.

Then we got to price.  We'd booked at $135/night and noticed that Best Western on their own website was offering and had the same rooms available at $112/night.  We didn't ask him to match the new low price, just to "do better."  

Mark, the Manager, went ballistic.  No, no and no was his response.  "Cancel," he said, "and take your chances booking on the web."  We suggested that was inconvenient and pointless.  He agreed and told us to book instead "across the street at the Quality Inn."  He said he was refusing to serve us.

Maybe the renovation dust had gotten under Mark's skin.  Maybe the pressure from the home office to hold the line on prices made him surly.  Maybe Mark's just a rotten manager.

Whatever Mark's problem, we think you should think twice about patronizing the Best Western University Inn in Boca Raton, Florida.  Even at reduced-again website prices of $81 for weekday nights and $90 for Saturday and Sunday.  There's no price low enough to compensate for abuse from Mark and his surly staff.