Wintergarden Inn

We drove from Austin for a dear family friend’s 70th birthday and had booked and paid for the room in advance. It was right across the street from the event, which was perfect. Our friend who made the booking asked the owner or manager to call him afterward, and I really hope we’re compensated somehow. This was one of the worst experiences ever. When I got to the room around 10pm Friday, the TV didn’t work, and neither did the phone, so I couldn’t call the front desk. I walked over and they came to help with the TV. They said I’d have to do it manually if the remote failed, and after a few minutes she got the phone working. The room was chilly. I turned up the heat, but it never warmed up. Hours later my husband found me wrapped up like a burrito in the thin bed cover. We froze. The next morning we asked to change rooms. They said a laundry problem meant only a limited number of rooms had been cleaned, and that the maintenance man didn’t work weekends but was on his way. I told them we had an event to attend and couldn’t shower because the room was so cold. About 40 minutes later the “maintenance” guy arrived and said the heater was broken. He didn’t check anything, so it seemed like they may have already known and rented the room anyway. They said they’d move us, but first had to change the battery in the door. We went to breakfast with friends unshowered, then came back later to nap and get ready for the party. The new room was warm, and we showered before heading out. I left the party around midnight to return to the room, but the door wouldn’t open. I tried it, then went to the front desk, where a sign said they were closed until 7am. I rang the bell, fuming and in tears, with a nasty migraine and my medication locked in the room. She gave me another key and told me to come back if it didn’t work. Since she knew we’d already had one issue after another, I don’t understand why she didn’t offer to walk down with me. The new key failed too. I went back, and she finally walked with me and used the master key. After that, I couldn’t leave for coffee or anything in the morning because I wouldn’t be able to get back in. I packed my things around midnight, went to sleep, and we left first thing in the morning. I realize Crystal City is a small town, but this hotel shouldn’t even be operating. If I could give zero stars, I would.