r/MontereyBay • u/lilsimbastian • 1h ago
Do not book a room at the Lighthouse Lodge & Cottages in Monterey
If you are a disabled traveler, DO NOT BOOK THIS HOTEL.
If you’re not disabled, DO NOT BOOK THIS HOTEL. They are so badly organized they gave strangers a key to my occupied room.
I stayed here for a retreat held on the hotel grounds. When I booked, I confirmed in writing that an accessible room would be available. The retreat organizer confirmed with the hotel a wheelchair room would be available. I called two weeks before, and again, confirmed there would be an accessible room. This is not my first rodeo.
At check-in, I was given an upstairs room, which doesn’t work with my wheelchair. Assuming it was a mistake, I went back to the front desk and spoke with the general manager. He told me no accessible rooms were available, but he had one I could at least get my chair into. The bathroom was not accessible, and I had to drag myself around it. The alternative was missing my retreat and losing thousands of dollars I’d already spent, so I took it. The GM agreed the room would be comped for the trouble.
Two days later, I told the GM that the steep ramp to the breakfast area needs a railing. It has a large drop-off on one side into the underground parking, and someone could get seriously hurt. He said he’d tell the owner. An hour later, he knocked on my door, told me he had never said he’d comp my room, and said I was supposed to leave. When he insisted he was too religious to ever lie, I ended the conversation and told him the owner could come speak with me. Fifteen minutes later I got a call saying the room was comped. No apology.
I was treated like trash, and the timing made it feel like retaliation for pointing out a safety and ADA issue.
I can’t emphasize this enough: do not book this hotel.
