Homewood Suites by Hilton Sarasota Lakewood Ranch — Hotel in Sarasota

ZERO STARS! Brace yourself because this will be long, but MY HEART IS BROKEN & people need to know what a COLD-HEARTED, CALLOUS KAREN "manages" this place! We are local, and all my daughter wanted for her 8th birthday was to "stay in a hotel". I booked 2 nights for my family and put a lot of time and planning how to make her weekend special - UTC shopping, swimming with friends at the pool, favorite restaurants. At check in Friday night, I asked the nice lady at the front if I had to reserve the cabanas, that we would be at the pool tomorrow for my daughter's birthday party & I wasn't sure if it was first come first serve or I could reserve them. She informed me they were first come first serve. I then asked if she thought it would be busy? As I was trying to guage what time I should go set up. She said they would likely not be busy & any time would be good. I woke up early and went to check out the pool area and decided the area near the TV & grills would be a better set up as there were tables and more room. I again went to the front desk to ask about the grills, as I wanted to be sure they were also first come first serve and I wasn't taking anyone else's spot. "Manager" Maria, AKA KAREN, was at the front desk informed me that yes, they were first come first serve. I set up a few decorations -a small Happy Birthday banner, a #8 mylar balloon, a tablecloth & a small birthday cake inflatable. A very nice employee came out & offered help! I could count on one hand how many people were at the pool! It was a very slow day. Everyone was so friendly as they walked by they would wish my daughter Happy Birthday! The day started out perfect! My husband wanted to change the channel on the TV so he went to the front to ask & Maria came out and changed it. She then came back multiple xs asking questions about the party, pretending to be nice, but her motives now I see were NOT. "How many guests will you be expecting so I can direct them?" I told her 20, but that was including the parents. There were actually 9 children that showed up, NINE. And their accompanying adults! JUST as everyone had arrived, Maria came out & cold-heartedly & with zero emotion informed me that the party had to be shut down, that she just spoke to her manager & we are not allowed to have private parties. We had 20 minutes to leave or she would call the police!!! Um what?! There's no conversation or attempt to work this out? A warning? A compromise? No consideration that there is an 8 year old girl whose heart would be broken? A mom who had spent hours, money & time organizing this special weekend for her daughter's birthday? I was in total shock & disbelief. I said what? Call the police? Like I'm some kind of CRIMINAL?! I informed the front last night that I was having my daughter's party here today! SHE ACCUSED ME OF LYING! SHE SAID SHE LOOKED UP MY ADDRESS AND I'M LOCAL..Um, so? I'm a guest for TWO nights in this hotel! It's important to note here that our party had not made a PEEP! The kids were swimming quietly in the pool, no screaming, no running, very well behaved & mannerd we ALL were!!! NO other guests were even in the pool. We were basically the only people AT the pool this day! I pleaded with her! I begged to speak to her manager! You know, the one who she just talked to that told her we had to go. Her response was "I AM the manager". SHE WITHHELD the GMs #from us & called the police! We were calm, no yelling, tried to rationalize w/her, pleaded for a way to work it out so we didn't have to ruin her special weekend! She did not care! My daughter was TRAUMATIZED! I explained the situation to the nice police officer w/tears rolling down my face! My poor kid asked me if I was getting arrested! Who does this to CHILDREN?! The officer said there must've been a miscommunication & was very sympathetic, then offered to walk me to the front where I asked to cancel and refund my stay. This was the most HUMILIATING & TRAUMATIZING experience for ALL!! I've been an Honors member for YEARS! We'll be switching to Marriot! Pic of said...

Hey guys! Lita your friendly travel reviewer. I've been staying with Homewood Suites by Hilton Sarasota on and off for more than 2 years. Every time I visit the area I stay for long periods of time, because its honestly a home away from home! Before I moved into Solaire last year, I stayed here, and it was very welcoming. (Management was different at the time) I can't think of one bad experience I've had with this location until today. (Situation) I've currently been staying well over a month without (discount) which equates to well over 6-7k spent. over $1,400 per week. Sometimes I like to use my points when I 've racked them up. In this case I've only been able to use points + cash. Their nightly points are 75k for my room type which is high compared to other locations. That I do not mind as I stated, I've been staying with this location for a very long time, so I pay the extra money because I like the hotel. I spend my money where I feel like I'm treated the best (simple). Given this information, you would think you would be SHOWN A BIT MORE RESPECT AND NOT SPOKEN TO WITH HOSTILITY AND A CONDESCENDING ATTITUDE AND FEEL BELITTLE BY THE ASSISTANT MANAGER (CLARISSA ALLENDE). I do look young but I'm 32 years old and I've never been spoken to with such a condescending tone by a place I'm spending a great deal of money at. (Backstory)-- I typically book my reservations a few days out because this hotel does seem to sell out sometimes without notice and I always want to keep my same room type. (The rate may fluctuate between $5-$7 difference no biggie). Well today I had a reservation that I made earlier in the week. However, when I looked online, I saw today that I had 68k points. YAYYYY!!! because if you're anything like me after spending so much money per week a 1-night save is Great news. So, I decided to book another reservation the day of to use my points plus cash. Did not think this was a big issue because during my month stay, I have done this before. Even though it was after cancelation the hotel did not have an issue with it and simply cancelled the prev reservation. I was NEVER enlightened that the hotel had an issue with me doing this until today. Which I consider being RUDLEY SCOLDED. Instead of the ASSISTANT MANAGER pulling me to the side and explaining the situation, so I know not to do this again. She decided to speak to me very CONDESCENDING TO THE POINT OF ACCUSING ME OF CHANGING RESERVATIONS TO LOWER RATES and TO HOLD RESERVERATIONS SO OTHERS CAN'T BOOK (may I add $5-$7 difference) even if I cared. 100% Absurd! Not only that I'm told, not asked but told, that I've cancelled reservations and made a new one the day of for an entire month which is 100% false. I even asked her to pull the information up, because I know it to be false accusation. I've done this twice with my points and maybe 2 other times and wasn't advised not to either TIME. When I arrived at the front desk today to renew my stay with points. MS CLARISSA ALLENDE came off extremely rude, condescending, even to a point she stated (I yelled at her) because I disagreed with what she was saying. She then repeated she was tired of saying the same thing over. At that point, I'll be honest I was pretty much over it. Therefore, I asked to speak to the (General Manager) and I asked her to prove what she had been saying. She wanted me to pay for a full night reservation, plus my 68k points that...

Had a wonderful stay in a 2 room suite for family of 3. It's like a small apt. Lovely living room with fold out couch--king size bedroom with "concept room" and a door for privacy. The concept room allowed us to change thermostat temp from remote control which was pretty cool. The kitchen had a full size fridge, cooking top, full sink, dishwasher, plates, silverware, glasses---everything you'd need to a simple stay. Grills downstairs easily accessible with multiple sitting areas with just the right amount of privacy. The place is immaculate. Glass doors on showers literally spotless.No dust build up in corners or where carpet meets walls. No mildew anywhere in bathroom--anywhere--in any bathroom. We chose not to have our room serviced during our stay and put do not disturb sign on door and was VERY PLEASANTLY surprised to arrive to our room with a note and laundry bag on our door packed with replacement towers and toiletries! The note said they respected our wishes and did not service the room, but just in case here are towels and toiletries should you need them. In all our years of travel we have NEVER had a housekeeping team be this proactive. It was a simple gesture that meant a lot. We left a thank you note and tip for pizzas for the housekeeping staff to show our appreciation. I sincerely did appreciate it and sincerely hope they enjoy some pizzas on us. The pool area is well stocked with towels--lovely little cabanas, and exceptionally clean. Groundsmen and janitorial staff were CONSTANTLY washing the glass doors, walking the grounds replenishing emptying trash, cleaning floors and the list goes on. I don't know who hired these people--but they all cared about the jobs they were doing no matter how big or small and took pride in the hotel. They constantly checked the grills inside and out to ensure cleanliness as well--we watched concomitantly at what the staff was doing. Breakfast room Saturday was again--very well stocked super clean and never ran out of anything. While it was a typical continental breakfast with pastries/breads scrambled eggs, sausage and super fresh fruit, it was not a typical presentation. Lovely trays and beautiful containers for drinks became the decor for the food area--ice in tubes to separate the melting ice from the drinks another great touch. Sunday---mothers day--was another story---they ran out of multiple foods and replenishment was slow or non existent. After Saturdays breakfast--I had hoped there would be a special for Mothers day, and sadly there was not. That it was not stocked or replenished in a timely manner is the only "disappointment" I could give. We will absolutely be back. We would absolutely recommend this hotel for families--it's beautiful, CLEAN---well kept, the employees obviously care and take pride in...