Way back last September when they announced Rennsport Reunion, I booked a couple rooms at the HoJo Marina - where we stayed last time with a bunch of other 914 friends. Weeks later, I got a call from them saying they couldn't hold my reservation because they decided to raise the rates to over triple what we reserved at!! We argued, they threatened to cancel our reservation. I called Wyndham (who owns HoJo) and filed a complaint.

After 4 months or so, I received back a fairly cryptic email saying 'we've looked into this and you should be OK, but if there is an issue that you are unhappy about contact us after your stay". Not knowing what that meant, I called and got someone to say "well...the inquiry is still ongoing"...and more run around.

fast forward to today. I called the HoJo, gave them my confirmation numbers and got "oh, yeah, Bob Saville...you remember I called you...." and proceeded to tell me why there was an issue, she knew of the inquiry (which honestly was satisfying knowing Wyndham actually followed through on the inquiry), blah, blah, blah...

Bottom line, she SAYS she's keeping our rate, but I'm not 100% confident in that. Too much explaining and long pauses from her in our conversation.

Anyone else staying there? (I think Clay and Betty are) and have any issues?

At checkin....,

“Oh, you want a key for your room. Well that will be $250 more per night, sir.”



Hope you guys have a great time. Sounds like a fantastic trip I’d like to make one day.

That's EXACTLY what I'm afraid of.

I cancelled HOJo this time and booked with Motel 6 down the street; closer to the Beach and the Kula Ranch Bar/Restraurant down by the beach. BTW: it now called Salt Wood

https://saltwoodkitchenandoysterette.com

We booked our room the day Rennsport reunion was announced. The HoJo didn't hear about it yet. We called the hotel to book the room, and we made sure to pre-pay for the room. So we have a confirmed,paid room with them. That means they can't just cancel the room and raise the rate on us.

So I found the response from Wyndham that came on March 1. I filed the complaint in December:

"Hello Bob,

Thank you for contacting Howard Johnson customer care. We greatly appreciate your feedback and are so sorry to hear that the Howard Johnson in Marina, CA did not exceed your expectations. Please know that your concerns have been shared with our quality assurance team. We have reviewed your concerns with the hotel. At this time, please save your receipts and send them to us upon check out for further review and possible rate reimbursement.

thank you for your choice in Howard Johnson for your lodging needs.

Respectfully,

Ashley W.
Account Specialist
Wyndham Hotel Group
Phone: 888.775.3379
Fax: 888.565.7707 "

So I read that as "yes, you're gonna get screwed and if you do, contact us and we'll drag our feet and never really satisfy your concerns, dangling the potential of some sort of reimbursement to keep you going"...

Of course, the question you might ask is "why don't you just get another hotel?" Answer...there isn't any that don't want $250+ per night available anywhere in the area.

Yeah, I knew you did the prepay thing. And in a way that's good for us - there's precedence for others with the low rate...

In the end, I guess if they try to screw us on the rate we can just contact the credit card company and challenge the charges.

Fortunately Bob, California has pretty strong consumer fraud laws, so if you have any trouble, first talk to the manager, then threaten to report it as fraud to the local City &/or County PD & State AG, & to take them to Small Claims Court - which damages will include your travel expenses to/from 2x & all related expenses up to the maximum (IIRC it's $5K last I heard years ago) - & to report it to Wyndahm & to flame them on every platform, plus put the word out to PCA to keep all members away as the event sponsor.

If that doesn't work, then take your business elsewhere - even if you have to drive a bit further from Salinas or other nearby city.

If you can get another guaranteed refundable rez as a back-up somewhere else, then do so & cancel if not needed.

But keep in mind that a guaranteed rate reservation, & it is a contract under CA & Federal UCC Laws, etc. (Federal since you're interstate commerce), so they really have no leg to stand on legally (unless there is something on their reservation contract which says that they can change the rate, cancel or deny the reservation, etc.).

A contract is a contract, & even on a pay at arrival rez, you give them your credit card info & the right to charge you 1 night or other minimum if you don't show or cancel too late (or at all if non-cancelable) - so that is considered "legal consideration" (money or something of value) from you for the contract to be binding on them.

In fact, in overbooking cases, IIRC CA & many other States law require the hotel to pay for your equivalent accommodations at another hotel at their cost. I've not done that type of research for many years for a similar booking BS FUBAR on a biz trip, so do your own research now.

PS - Threatening to get them Blacklisted by the Rennsport sponsor PCA should be motivation enough to hold your rates, so try sending an email explaining all of the above to the HoJo General Mgr, & requesting him to reply in writing with a confirmation that they will honor their contract with you for your room(s) at the price & days, & bring that with you.

Hopefully you also have print-outs of your original reservation & terms of it to bring a copy with you, along with the GM's reply - just in case!

You want this in writing, so don't just call the HoJo GM.

PSS - Yes the credit card charge challenge is another route as well - all of them will require as much documentation as possible. The HoJo/Wyndham email just means that the property is an individual franchise business, so they can't do anything about it until it's actually a fact, but you could reply now to her email with the above & any other legal info you find, & ask Wyndham/HoJo to impress that upon the HoJo GM & Ownership, & that it could jeopardize their franchise contract wherein they could lose their HoJo franchise rights for not adhering the their Wyndham-Franchisee contract. That may motivate the HoJo property's ownership to not screw around, or it may not if they're some of the less businesslike operators. Unfortunately, many of the smaller & less reputable Indian-American ownerships play fast-n-loose, & then just jump "Flags" whenever they get in trouble, so present a huge problem for use in the real estate & development biz.

But it's worth a try!

Good Luck & Have Fun!
Tom
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Admin Edit: Edited by Clay to remove political content.

I am at the HW Marina.

I reserved HoJo’s back same time as Rennsport although after hearing Jim checked and made reservations for Motel 6 saving nearly $400, anyone else.
I haven’t canceled HoJo’s yet Incase anyone’s interested.

Jim Kuala bar/restaurant changed hands hopefully still the same food and hospitality!

All the Durango folks (6 cars) are staying at the Embassy Suites.

I have a 914 Paddock pass so I hope to see some of you there - cheers!

It sounds like things are stacked in your favor. Don't let your worry over this ruin a fun, social weekend.

I also have a reservation at the Marina HoJo. I was just now able to confirm my booking and they sent me an email for confirmation. All signs indicate that they will be honoring the low rate they quoted me a year ago.

On a less positive note, I heard that they have closed off the back entrance to the track via Reservation Road. Does anybody know if this is true or not?

See you at the 914 coral; we had a big turnout at 2015.
What day are you arriving ? I’ll be there Thur

I arrive on Thursday as well. Spending 2 days in LA before. Driving the '74 from Durango (no trailer queen for me) though I may regret it...

I am also at the same Motel 6 that Jim is at. I am also arriving Thursday afternoon.

I have to cancell do to medical reasons!
I Was going to be camping out on track!