Holiday Inn review: Damaged clothing in hotel dryer

Greetings.

I have an issue with Holiday Inn and I’m hoping someone can help me.

On Thursday, February 29, 2024 my family was traveling through Decatur, Texas. We stopped at Holiday Inn Express and Suites @ 1051 N Highway 287.

We rented 2 rooms for the evening. On our way to the elevator, we saw a professional washer and dryer for clothes in the hallway next to an ice machine. There were no signs on the walls, only a sign on the washing machine stating laundry costs $2.00 to run and the dryer would cost $3.00.

I washed a load of laundry. When the wash load was complete, I removed undergarments and 2 blouses that needed to be hung to dry. The rest I placed into the dryer and set my timer for 30 minutes because that is how long the digital timer on the dryer began counting. I went to hang my laundry up and came back 30 minutes later, waiting for the cool down cycle in the dryer to finish.

When I opened the door to the dryer, I saw that every garment in the machine was covered in a dark gummy residue. I immediately went to the lobby and showed the laundry to a young woman named Yesika who was managing the front desk. She apologized and told me that the hotel had had issues before because construction workers come in to rent rooms and they have building materials in their clothes. She then offered to wash my clothes again, but I declined, telling her that if this ruined my clothes, what would it do to the washing machine?

These were new clothes we purchased for this trip:

2 Guy Harvey Tee Shirts @ 29.99 = 59.98

2 Lee Cargo Shorts @ 32.00 = 64.00

2 pair of Jeans @ 24.99 = 49.98

1 Zipper Hoodie 29.99 29.99

1 pack of men’s underwear 24.00 24.00

1 packof mens socks 22. 22.00

1 package of women’s underwear 24.99 24.00

That is a cost of 273.95 in new and completely ruined clothing.

We left the next morning and I called back to the hotel while we were traveling. The manager Mark Cooke explained to me that when we rented the rooms for the night we signed a contract stating the hotel was not responsible for anything. But did I not have the legal expectation that a washer and dryer you are charging me to use would be in working order and/or not ruin my clothing?

Further, as Yesika pointed out, the hotel is aware that workers come through and have damaged the property before. Indeed, I told Yesika there was a black tar substance on the floor of the elevator. If there has been issues with the dryer before, why does Holiday Inn continue to allow guests to use the machines? It would have been better not to offer machines at all than to have a guest ruin 274. In new clothes.

I’m so disappointed. When we travel we always look for a Holiday Inn on Google Maps and book rooms in advance because we know you run quality establishments. My entire family is surprised that the manager did not offer to pay for these damages.

I'm including pictures of damaged clothing, your damaged clothes drier, and pictures of shoes of one worker who left them near the trashcan at the front enterance.

Your response is greatly appreciated.

Josie Kunkle

[protected]

Claimed loss: 273.95 in new clothing

Desired outcome: I would appreciate a refund for 273.95 Josie Kunkle24543 Rocky RoadBonita Springs, Florida, [protected]-565-0352Josephine.[protected]@aol.com

Contact name: Josie Kunkle

Preferred time for contact: Any time. I live in EST time zone

Preferred Method of Contact: [protected], or josephine.[protected]@aol.com, or 24543 Rocky Road, Bonita Springs, Florida, 34135

Order ID or Client ID, other information: Thank you for your attention and help in this matter.

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