IAS Hotel change - heads up to experience

From: "Betsy Feuerstein" <ecuador10 at comcast.net> on 2008.08.29 at 20:32:21(18447) Just a word to the wise about this hotel. I stayed at this hotel in late May/early June and I can tell you how different it was from the old Ramada Inn. The attitude of friendliness and helpfulness of the Ramada, was no where to be seen. The telephone service was all but non existent as mentioned by someone on this list recently. They were full of excuses why this happened and why that happened all of which were around renovations. The room was hot and services were non-existent. I accidently left something behind and it took me getting one of the wonderful Miami folk to go get it because after 30 some efforts to speak to or to establish email communications to the manager of the hotel, I gave up. I did hear from the gentlemen some two weeks after my stay saying how sorry he was for the problem I had. He had been at some educational program and for all practical purposes, the hotel had been left to run itself by incompetent personnel. The old Ramada had complementary breakfast, that does not seem to be the policy with the new establishment. Yes, the price seems less expensive, but remember, the taxes that Florida and Miami add to hotel bills is considerable. What I am saying is, if you want a reasonable amount of service at a reasonable price, stay down the street at the Hampton Inn or find some other hotel to stay at. The Ramada welcomed us with our plants but I highly suspect this newly renovated hotel might well not be so willing to put up with the potential of water stained floors, dirt on the carpet which just happens to not exist any more, etc. The floor in the rooms is a creaky fake hard wood flooring. Take your pick, but do not say you were not warned that this place is not what it used to be by any means. I, for one, used to love to stay at the Ramada. The people were friendly and helpful and service orientated, but last June service was non-existent and to be honest, it seemed as if no one cared. I would definitely highly think about staying somewhere else for a little bit more where service is high on the priority list. Betsy HTML +More ----- Original Message ----- From: ExoticRainforest To: Discussion of aroids Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 8:25 AM Subject: [Aroid-l] : IAS Hotel change Tricia will be able to confirm this but I believe you will get a better price on your room at the Hotel Indigo (formerly Ramada Inn Dadeland) if you tell them you are attending the IAS Show and Sale at Fairchild. Although we haven't lived in Miami for almost 8 years, we did live there for well over 20 years and I can assure you this hotel is the most convenient if you plan to attend the show since it is in the southern part of Miami and is as close to Fairchild as any. It is very easy to find since it is at the southern end of the Palmetto Expressway. If you are a member of Sam's Club in the U.S. (a part of WalMart) you should make your reservations through Sam's Club Travel. We were able to get an even lower price by going through Sam's. Steve Lucas www.ExoticRainforest.com Dear all Aroidophiles, I have been trying to make my hotel bookings, and with Steve Lucas’s excellent detective work, we found that the Ramada Inn Dadeland listed in the IAS Newsletter has changed its name and is now the Hotel Indigo Dadeland, and their website is: http://www.miamidadelandhotel.com/location.php The telephone number in the newsletter (305.595.6000) is still the same according to the website, however, I have treid the number several times in the last two days and was never answered. It just rang. I tried again this evening and as able to get through. Apparently they have had telephone difficulties for a few days. I hope that this is helpful to someone, Christopher D. Christopher Rogers Senior Invertebrate Ecologist/ Taxonomist ((,///////////=======

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