American Classic Motor Inn — Hotel in Salida

I was in Salida to handle some very stressful family business. I found my cousin in Denver who decided to come help and visit since it's been 30 years. I explained to the Gentlemen and he gave me a reduced rate for the first night and a regular rate for the 2nd night. Explained that 48 Hour CANCELLATION policy was not applicable since this was 24 hr before (Air BnB??). This is a U shaped 50s lodge, and they stack you room next to room, though nearly empty. Checking in, I noticed a "Misc" charge, and questioned what it's for. Young girl didn't know (no asterisk). My 70 year old cousin asked for a blanket since older people sleep warm. She was assigned next to a Pets room where a dog was checked in.

After our day was over, I brought her back at 10:30 pm, and noticed the office was closed and dark. She called me because she tried the TV and couldn't get anything but "Sorry for the service interruption.". Lucky I had plugged in the room phone earlier, but she couldn't call the office, only local dialing. No instructions in the room for TV or Phone. New heater and bed.

The next Morning as I arrived to pick her up... She went to the office to request a $5 refund for no TV (as the sign says). I walked in after she was there for 3 min to find she was being YELLED AT by the man, and this woman joined from the back and proceeded to scream and yell at us both for being rude to the young gal, asking about Misc "IT IS CLEARLY ON THE BILL RIGHT THERE" (indicating a line of charges below that didn't have any reference marks), for not being able to operate an unfamiliar tv, phone, and we were being EVICTED!!!! "RIGHT NOW, GET YOUR THINGS NOW AND GET OUT!" (repeated several times at the top of her and then his yelling voices) while we both stood there astonished. I tried to say that I had only inquired about the Misc charge, only to be yelled down. After about 3min of this we, Cousin and I left the office to get her things, and the young woman came out of the office to rush over yelling that she would open the door and collect the key, while I moved my car to the room.

At the door the gal was in front of my cousin while opening the door and then pushed the door fully open from the right, while my cousin tried to enter. My cousin (upset and distracted) didn't see the 3" stoop and tripped, hitting her head and cheek on the hinge side of the door, hitting her knee on the floor, and onto her side. The gal immediately left my cousin and walked back to the office. My cousin started calling for help, as older people do when suddenly finding themselves on the floor. The Gal called the Police and an Ambulance and came back to yell at us of that fact. Suffice to say, a knot on the head, bruised cheek and knee, split finger nail, and 45 min later with 6 EMT and one police man buzzing around we then completed packing and exited.

I was refunded for the second night. The intensity of the interaction indicated to me that either drugs were involved, or need to be. It occurs to me that the TV cable may have been unplugged as the phone cable was. The Police man told us that another motel property in Salida, on Hwy 50 is also owned by the same couple. He didn't seem surprised...

Ralph was AMAZING! He would try and help customers however he could and was incredibly patient and kind. The owner, Anita was not nearly as patient or caring. She tried to correct an error they made (They had changed our reservation without notifying us and we arrived to discover they did not give us adjoining rooms we were promised - which was necessary so I could check on a family member with health issues during the night and/or they could simply come into my room), though Anita had absolutely zero patience for a memory-impaired elderly woman asking her questions. The "grab and go" breakfast was empty within minutes of opening (we arrived to find a single little bottle of juice). Luckily, Ralph gave us a container of yogurt and another little bottle of juice for the road. Cute and colorful concept with some outdoor play space for adults and children. Rooms basic though pretty good - the bigger the bed, the less room for any kind of table or desk. Unfortunately, cleaning agents used leave a stale, dry & unhealthy odor. Room darkening curtains are REALLY needed as lights outdoors are very bright and kept on all night. RESPONDING TO Anita's note below: We were indeed promised those adjoining rooms, by Janessa the first time we called and booked the rooms and then by Ralph when we double-checked they would be available on our way back. We had a very nice experience the first time and all was fine. When we arrived back and were told the adjoining rooms we were promised were given to someone else, this was very unsettling (if you can imagine trying to care for someone who may wake up at any time during the night and could wander outside) Having the promise of adjoining rooms was the only reason we booked two rooms instead of trying to share a single. So you gave us a back room away from the road when we explained the situation. Then we decided not to stay a second night because our parent was feeling ill and because you told us you had someone who wanted those rooms the second night. I was at the breakfast "grab and go" 10 minutes after opening and found it empty. My parent went back later and also found it empty and so came to you to ask if there was anything still available. They wandered outside BECAUSE we had side-by-side rooms instead of the adjoining rooms we had been promised....

Our family of 7 enjoyed this hidden gem. We like the themes of the rooms . Room 6 can use a 2nd bed side table. My husband slept on the side with one bed side table so all my charging trinkets, like cell phone & tablet were plugged in, on the floor.

The male employee was quite pleasant but the female had very firmed tone with take it or leave it attitude. The firmed tone of voice, is bad customer service, especially, on the phone. She came across as answering the phone is a burden but it is part of her job. May want to fix that. She seems knowledgeable of her job but she is not a "people person". That can be double edged sword in tourist friendly town like Salida. I talked to her on the phone & I thought about canceling it. I booked the rooms with an email that got deactivated after the reservation so I did not get any confirmation from ACI. So I called to see the reservation was still active & to ask about which credit card was used to book. Well, so she resend the email to new address then said it will be charge to the card. The confirmation she sent did not identify which credit card so I called her back. She kept repeating same sentence, "the charges will be on the cc on file", until I asked which one. Then, she realized I needed her help. She told me the 4 digits for cc.She is the 1st person or the only person the guests came acrossed while staying here. Her, argumentative & know it all attitude gives this establishment negative review. She is the face of ACI. The owners are not dealing with guests on daily basis. I gave 3 stars because of the male employee. There will be no star if she was the only person I encountered.

AC in room 6 was very loud & so was the noises of the traffic. Falling to sleep take awhile. It is okay to close at night but there is no coffee in in snack room at 3am. In the world of early rising caffeine addict, like me, when I wake up, get dress & drive down to gas station for a cup, well, that is abit much! It might be nice to include single cup coffee maker in the room. These are just suggestions to improve. This establishment have a potential. Need employees who knows how to handle different personalities of guests with civilized manner. Thanks for all your hard work. We enjoyed the...