While in Raleigh for an event this weekend, we stayed at the Velvet Cloak Inn because we have stayed there before and were very pleased with the rooms, value, and service in the past. We encouraged several other parties to stay there as well. When we got there, we were informed that the pool had been drained for maintainence. When we made our reservations, we made it clear that we wanted all the rooms from our group to be located near the pool because we knew some of the people coming had children and we like to swim as well. No mention had been made about the pool being drained even though we called to re-confirm our room being by the pool the day before we arrived! We figured, we could live without the pool, but were surprised that no apology was given for the inconvenience. Only after we complained about this , were we informed that they would give us passes to the YMCA down the street. Who wants to load the family up to go to the Ymca when you were supposed to have a pool right in front of your room? Later that evening after we had been hanging out with our friends and everybody was heading to their own rooms, I decided to go get some Ice. The Ice machine was broken and a large sign said if you need Ice, go to the lobby. It was about 2 am when I got to the lobby, only to find the doors locked. I used the Phone in the entrance to buzz the desk, and when someone finally answered, I stated that I needed some Ice. The manager, told me that the Lobby was closed. I was really getting mad and I asked him what in the hell kind of hotel was he running? No water in the pool, no ice in the ice machine, and when I come to the lobby to get ice (as instructed by the sign) I was told the lobby was closed. I saw no hours posted anywhere! He then asked what room I was in and looked up our account. When we checked in we told him that we would pay cash the following morning after cashing a check and he had no problem with that. But now he looked at our info and said, well, you haven't paid yet, so if you have a problem you can just leave! I was very taken aback by this and I asked him if he was ""*%#& kidding""? He said no he wasn't kidding and I could get the ""F&%# out"". I then asked who his Boss was and he replied it was the owner. He also informed me that the owners were his parents and couldn't be reached. Then he said ""as a matter of fact, Why don't you just go ahead and leave before I call the police and have you removed"". I informed him that I was not leaving at 2am , and I would be seeing him in the morning. When I did get into the office the following day, he was gone and when I spoke with the young lady and the desk, I got the address to write to the owner. I was also informed that the manager wouldn't be back in until Monday. I have since learned that the Velvet Cloak is selling rooms and blocks of room s as condo/student housing. They no longer want to be a hotel, and they have certainly succeeded in my opinion! I will be writing to the owner and seeing how he feels about his son treating people this way.
Pros: The only pro is the location
Cons: Drained pool. no ice in machines, not very clean
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