Poor Treatment of Guests with Disabilities
My husband and I had just moved into our new apartment in Chelsea when our temporary air mattress sprung a leak at ten o'clock a night. I found this hotel in the neighborhood and book it quickly with my fingers-crossed. One of the reason I choose it was because it is pet-friendly. Our small, furry black dog is a registered hearing dog and by the law of the Americans with Disabilities Act must be allowed to stay in any hotel. Still, I wanted to go somewhere that was already open to animals. When we arrived, tired, bedraggled, sweaty, we got a thorough grilling by a snappish desk clerk who wanted proof that Sofia is a service dog. Fortunately, I had her photo I.D. service card. He said he was going to charge me $75 extra for her even though that too is against the law. He made a big to-do about photocopying her license and telling me that he would talk to his manager but he charged me the extra $75 anyway. I was too tired to argue. The room turned out to be very pleasant although it seemed to be an all purpose handicap room - roll in shower and strobe lights on the walls that flashed when the phone rang. I'm not deaf. I'm hearing impaired. I didn't request the room and since I had my service dog with me I didn't need it, either. There was no view to speak of. Perhaps it is also the go-to room for the blind. We checked out fairly early the next morning. Large contingent of teenagers and young adults partying in the lobby well in the wee hours of the morning.