My Terrible Stay at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas

On New Year's Eve, my fiance and I visited the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas. We had been automatically charged extra on the Web site for three parties that would be held in the hotel that night. I didn't mind, because I assumed all of the parties would be excellent along with the accommodations of the excellent luxury hotel. I was wrong. The parties had bands that did not sound good and bartenders who did not know how to mix drinks. The service at the hotel was terrible and not at all what had been advertised.

When we arrived at the hotel, I had never stayed there before so I had to ask several questions about their services such as valet parking. Each question I asked was received as a bother. It was answered in harsh tone with an abrupt answer. Even after responding rudely or not being helpful at all each employee stood waiting for a tip. Should I be expected to tip someone who was rude and unhelpful? I don't think I should. Also many services that were advertised as offered by the hotel were not offered such as a free newspaper in the mornings. Now this may not seem like much, but when you are paying 150-200 dollars a night plus giving gratuities to every employee that even comes near you, you expect to get everything advertised.

Once arriving at the parties we realized that the bands were not good. After tasting our drinks we realized that the bartenders had no idea what they were doing when it came to mixing drinks. I paid 50 dollars to get into these parties.

Now after paying all this money (almost $300) our guests were not allowed to enter the hotel. Now mind you they did not want to go to the party. They wanted to come visit us in our room while we were in town. The hotel told us that they were not allowed inside, because of the parties unless they wanted to pay $50 a piece. I feel like having paid for my room, I should have been allowed to have guests. Couldn't the hotel have set a blockade up in front of the party area instead of the front door? I was outraged. Anyway we ended up going to the hotel lobby next door with our guests (where the bartenders knew how to mix drinks and the staff was friendly) for free.

I sent them an email explaining my angst. The company responded by giving us a free weekend at the hotel. I have to say the service was a little better, but they were still rude and begging for tips. I will never stay there again. If you are looking for a luxury hotel this is not it!