From the moment I made the booking, I received multiple calls — first from the owner and then from the night in-charge — to confirm details and seemingly ensure a smooth stay. And truth be told, everything seemed promising at first. We checked in quite late, precisely at 11:38 PM, and appreciated that everything was in order when we arrived.
We specifically chose this property because they advertised a complimentary late checkout option. That flexibility was essential for us, as we planned our weekday itinerary accordingly — aiming to visit Jakhu Temple early and spend a bit of time on Mall Road before heading back, ideally within two hours past the standard checkout time.
But here's where the experience began to unravel.
When we politely requested a modest 2-hour extension, we were flatly told by the receptionist that all rooms were booked and no extension could be accommodated. No willingness to check or even acknowledge our late check-in. No understanding. Just a robotic "No."
It was frustrating, to say the least. Looking around, it was pretty obvious that no other guests were checking in, no vehicles were arriving, and there was zero visible urgency to clear the room. It really felt like they could have helped but simply chose not to.
Sometimes, a little bit of humanity goes further than sticking rigidly to rules. After all, guests remember the kindness, not the policies.
We weren't asking for much — just a small gesture of goodwill to complement what was otherwise a decently handled check-in. Instead, we were met with cold inflexibility, making us feel like just another transaction instead of valued guests.
To the management: Next time, try to consider the context, not just the clock.