PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A prime-time trip to Philadelphia almost turned sour for a Washington, D.C., couple, whose upscale hotel reservation was canceled months after it was confirmed.
As soon as the schedule for FIFA World Cup games at the Linc was announced last year, Chris Denno made sure he would be there.
“If there’s a World Cup game in Philadelphia on July Fourth — the 250th anniversary of the U.S. — it’s going to be a party,” he said, “and whatever I have to do, I want to be there.”
Last August, he booked two rooms at the Warwick in Rittenhouse Square from July 3 to 5. He planned to visit the city with his girlfriend and his sons. But two weeks ago, he received an email saying his confirmed reservation was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances related to a renovation.
The hotel owner, Marriott, offered to move him to an airport hotel, but Denno said no.
“I absolutely do not want to be out at the airport,” he exclaimed. “The whole point of this is to be in the city. That’s why I booked a place in Rittenhouse. I want to be able to soak in the atmosphere.”
Marriott did not respond to KYW Newsradio’s request for comment. KYW Newsradio legal correspondent Amy E. Feldman said the hotel was within its rights.
“People almost never read the fine print,” she said. “And unfortunately, it does say that they have the right to change the reservation even after they have confirmed it, or to cancel it.”
After posting about the situation on social media — and talking with KYW Newsradio and the Philadelphia Inquirer — Denno said his reservation was reinstated last week.
“The hotel finally called me back — the first time I’ve spoken to anybody from the hotel. And they said that miraculously, they were able to find two rooms in the hotel,” he said.
“Businesses are very aware that you can start a campaign online, and they don’t want the negative publicity,” added Feldman.
Denno believes that’s what happened.
The fine print says — the hotel is within its rights
The fine print says — the hotel is within its rights
