HotelChatter

The Value Place feels like a private prison camp.  It has no place for kids ot play, it has little ammenities, no common area, no outside walking area, noithing.  Down the road Embassy Suites cost the same, and has pool, breakfast, common areas and maids.  The worst about Value Place is the check out procedure: 24 hr notice.  Really, you can only leave one day without losing money-your renewal day.  And tell them at least 24 hrs beforehand.  If not, you'll pay 75 bucks extra.  If you leave after the renewal date (day you check in) or before, whicever way you want to see it, you'll pay prorated daily rates for the days you stay, or penalties.  Its like they think you can't do math- you are trapped here until the renewal day unless you are prepared to lose money.  (The same thing with the kitchen-no dishes but they sell a complete set for "only 60 bucks." Not a bargain for a three to four week stay, and avoiding extra belongings-do you travel with a complete kitchen pots and pan set?  Absurd, unless you are in a camper.  This is not anything like a campground-more like stressed out US Military in a time of war-get it, this is a privatized military bunker.  Profit from Iraq.)  As to departure from this bizarre place with no social space or meeting areas, encouraging everyone to stay in their rooms-including the kids, like a prison camp-no fenced area or playground outside, just a parking lot on all sides, no lawns and one bench for over one hundred rooms- absurd- as I said departure is impossible unless you are  willing to take a loss on "Value," the primary value here being of course US Dollars and nothing else-and when you are leaving, they sure are in a hurry to benefit for themselves- the employees are typically selfish in that the little they do, (exchange linen, reset the key each week- a strange lack of computer savvy- and clean house once every 14 days- for their own code reasons) and the amoount you pay, they want everything convenient for themselves.  Check in like to Hotel California but you may find it difficult to ever leave-thats because its a set up to make you pay more umless you leave on one particular day of the week; so you have to plan in advance one week, but only have one week to plan in advance-thus you get trapped in the place unable to leave without losing money, which is just the way they like it-keep you trapped in the ghetto of hotels.  And when I finally was able to figure this problem out, first I thought I'd go to a cheaper room to mitigate the damages of leaving at my will and timing; then I realized those rooms are to samll to work out of, so the only room to use is the ADA handicapped rooms they sell for profit to non handicapped folks.  And since I could only leave on the renewal date, monday, I faxed a form in 24 hours in advance, the latest you can tell them the only day you are leaving.  IT TURNS OUT IN ALL THIS MADNESS, I LOST TRACK OF THE DAY AND IT WAS ALREADY MONDAY CHRISTMAS EVE, 12 24 07.  WELL, MERRY X MAS KIDS. Being in this place is like psychological brainwashing if you are by yourself, as the tendency is for everyone to feel isolated and keep to themselves;  theres no where for the community to gather or socialize.  Its classical conditioning or the founder was just plain cheap and had no sense of environment, design and people. Not everyone crams their whole family into 500 sq,. ft, or brings them in a suitcase on a busines trip.  When you are very busy, its hard to pack up and move- if I had the choice, for four hundred less a month, San Antonio is full of clean new apartments (I paid 1200 the first month, 1000 the second-no taxes)  New apts. in San Antonio cost 600-700/month, even short terms are available. For me its not the money alone, like for ther owner of this place-its my health and standards of well being.  This was the most psychologically difficult place I have ever stayed in the civilian free society in my life.  Nothing but a gas station next door, there is no human contact or opportunity for community.  People are treated like institutionalized soldiers or prosoners.  Children are "home schooled" and stuck in little rooms with no playground or kids around.  The look on their faces shows sadness, 13 year olds no in school, strange church groups traveling with home schooled teenage girls in uniforms, etc.  The rest are army people from the base or construction workers, men, the domestic kind or the migrant kind-people that go in at night and down a beers, thats about it.  I never felt so socially withdrawn in my life- while there were a few young couples and other people here (only over the holiday were there laughing kids and families) since there was no where to sit, talk or meet but in ones room, where people do not typically invite strangers right away, there was no way to make friends or even aquaintance, like in any hotel or apartment.  I would have been mentally healthier ata motel with prostitutes and people on drugs, as at least there is human life visible and not always hidden indoor- the lack of a common space or lobby made it impossibel to share a cup of coffee or chat- as I said, with so many people here, there were always single people of the opposite sex to meet, just invisible-hidden away.  The elevator is not really a place to meet.  I did meet a lot of migrant workers after I toojk a spanish class, but they are little different in thier social situation.  I am shocked that whoever designed this wooden bunker put money before people anf their health-I certainly wouldn't and don't.  No where to walk around, 4 dollars a load of laundry-these are cheapskates.
Beware, its not just me- the stress here affects all long term wroking guests (not one week vacation) and ususally friendly young gals turn upset and introverted.  Several blondes, typically the ones that put a smile on your face, were observed upset.  Thats because these gals have no pool, no gym, no walking trail, no lounge area, and no where to occasionally chat with someone, meet a friend, like in a normal neighborhood- you have to drive to get anywhere.  I never referred anyone here and never will.  Copies of this blog are on Can'tFindOnGoogle.com The selfish nature of this place degrades humans into animals, scavenging and foraging for food. People walk around instictively as if looking for food all the time.  Clearly, human society is no hunting and gathering.  The man who inventied this war profiteering hotel with zero frills has no regard for human beings.  I think those blog postings and comments you see are artificial; I doubt this comment will stay on for long.  All those people talking about hoe "awesome" it is in Panama, etc; they are not talking about this shelter- this is nothing more than a bed, a kitche4n, bathroom, and microwave, with cable TV which is now your "world."  There is nothing to find "awesome" here but the number of mental symptoms people start to exhibit- irritability (young attractive females even), depression, feelings of gloom and despair, antisocial attitudes, exhaustion, depressoion caused by lack of melanin hormone secretion/exposure to sunlight (no front or back yard here, or even a courtyard)- and other suites around here are the same price- a lot of desensitized and unhappy people.  Only the very young kids dont get affected.  People so used to isolation they look right through you, when as a neighbor you ask for change, for example- you are dehydrated and need a drink (no cahnge machines here)- it will take on average half an hour and @ one dozen people before anyone has the sensitivity to reach in their pockets and change a five- people lose feeling and are numb here.  I was sick with a stomach flu that went around, the hallways having poor ventilation-no forced air, ac's that are rigged to not turn on- and I had vomiting and bowel problems, so I couldn't walk or drive to a store- imagine how it felt, when I was so dehydrated, and standing there with a five in hand, asking for change, no one could even tell how sick I was, much less even go out of their "US ARMY STRONG" way to help me get juice.  I stood there for a half hour until a couple with kids helped.  It is like being around zombies, the GIS, people so desensitized that they cant tell you are hurting or ill, much less help you with it- in fact its like they are suggesting you die.  The war is taking its toll, while southern republicans continue to make their profit, with their "get" mentality rahter than give.  You will get more if you give.  Please dont keep these kids locked in these rooms- I am an adult who has endured torture, deprivation, etc- these are just kids.