I'm in Geneva for the General Assembly
of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Because I know this blog is read by many who travel to Geneva for WIPO matters, I've had an experience today that I thought you'd all be interested in. It has nothing to do with intellectual property, but I'm sure it will be of interest to many.
It turns out that long-placed reservations, guaranteed by a credit card, mean nothing to the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva.
I've had my reservation for weeks, if not months. But when I arrived this afternoon, I was informed that they had no room for me.
No, I don't mean that they didn't have any rooms READY yet . . . I mean they simply reneged on my reservation. Sorry.
"Yes, you had a reservation, but some guests have decided to stay a while longer, so you're out, Mr. Giovanetti."
How's that?
Trust me--I've been to Geneva six times so far this year. There are fine hotels in Geneva that will respect your reservation and treat you well. The Wilson, the Kipling, the Noga Hilton, the Manotels--don't run the risk of getting screwed over by the Intercontinental, like I did today.
My hotel reservation at the Intercontinental was within a short walk of the WIPO building. Now I'm a cab fare away, which I figure will cost me an additional $150 CHF (Swiss francs) throughout the course of my stay. Just my tough luck, I suppose.
Now, I've been in a hotel before in my life and decided I wanted to stay a while longer, but was informed by the hotel that I could not, because the hotel was fully booked. Why the Intercontinental couldn't do that to their guests who decided to overstay their reservation is anyone's guess, but believe me, I'll never again take the risk of making a reservation at the Intercontinental in Geneva.
Because I know this blog is read by many who travel to Geneva for WIPO matters, I've had an experience today that I thought you'd all be interested in. It has nothing to do with intellectual property, but I'm sure it will be of interest to many.
It turns out that long-placed reservations, guaranteed by a credit card, mean nothing to the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva.
I've had my reservation for weeks, if not months. But when I arrived this afternoon, I was informed that they had no room for me.
No, I don't mean that they didn't have any rooms READY yet . . . I mean they simply reneged on my reservation. Sorry.
"Yes, you had a reservation, but some guests have decided to stay a while longer, so you're out, Mr. Giovanetti."
How's that?
Trust me--I've been to Geneva six times so far this year. There are fine hotels in Geneva that will respect your reservation and treat you well. The Wilson, the Kipling, the Noga Hilton, the Manotels--don't run the risk of getting screwed over by the Intercontinental, like I did today.
My hotel reservation at the Intercontinental was within a short walk of the WIPO building. Now I'm a cab fare away, which I figure will cost me an additional $150 CHF (Swiss francs) throughout the course of my stay. Just my tough luck, I suppose.
Now, I've been in a hotel before in my life and decided I wanted to stay a while longer, but was informed by the hotel that I could not, because the hotel was fully booked. Why the Intercontinental couldn't do that to their guests who decided to overstay their reservation is anyone's guess, but believe me, I'll never again take the risk of making a reservation at the Intercontinental in Geneva.
Update: There have been further developments, which I feel obligated to report. The Intercontinental Hotel has slipped a letter under my door at my alternate hotel, apologizing for the situation and making a fairly generous offer of restitution.
It doesn't make up for telling a weary transatlantic traveller that you don't have a room for him despite his reservation. But it does at least show remorse, which they didn't have to do.
I'm still nervous about relying on a reservation at the Intercontinental in the future. But this helps. It at least keeps me from cancelling my reservation at the Intercontinental 2 weeks from now . . .