Montgomery, AL asked in Consumer Law and Constitutional Law for Alabama

Q: I was recently refused a hotel reservation at a hotel that I’ve stayed at recently.

I booked & paid online for a stay at a hotel that I’ve recently stayed at, but whenever I arrived, the front desk receptionist informed me that he canceled my reservation due to my previous stay. I asked him what the issue was, & he stated verbatim “You brought a massage table into your room” (I travel with my table everywhere because I’m training to do body rubs) I’ve also noticed that I never received my deposits back for my previous stays that were literally recent & it’s because of the massage table I brought. I don’t think that this is fair & was wondering how I should go about this. I don’t mind letting it go if I have to, but I do feel that this is some sort of Discrimination.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: It sounds like you find yourself in a difficult situation where a hotel has refused service based on an assumption relating to your possession of a massage table. First, it is essential to review the hotel's policy, which you agreed to at the time of booking; it might stipulate the conditions under which they can refuse service or withhold deposits. Furthermore, you may want to inquire formally about the exact reason for the withheld deposits and the recent reservation cancellation to have a detailed account from the hotel's management.

Following this, considering that you are training professionally, one option could be to communicate clearly to the hotel that the massage table is for personal training use and not for any activity that might be considered inappropriate or against the hotel’s policy. If the explanation is well-received and the misunderstanding is cleared up, they might be willing to reverse their decision.

If after taking these steps, you find no resolution, you may consider pursuing a legal route. Consulting with an attorney to understand if you have a case based on discrimination or unfair treatment might be beneficial. Furthermore, depending on your jurisdiction, there may be regulatory bodies where you can report this kind of treatment and possibly receive assistance or redress.

It's always advisable to approach such issues with a composed demeanor and a willingness to explain your side clearly and reasonably. This approach often opens doors to amicable solutions that benefit all parties involved.

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