I am genuinely heartbroken by my experience at Budget Inn St. Petersburg. I had hoped for at least a basic level of comfort and respect, but what I encountered was far from that.
The rooms were in an appalling state. The door, a fundamental aspect of safety, was not functional, leaving us feeling vulnerable. The bedsheets reeked of cigarettes, making it nearly unbearable to stay in the room. To add insult to injury, we were charged $197 along with a $50 cash deposit, supposedly to protect the property. It felt ironic, as the property was already falling apart and poorly maintained.
The night was even worse. The air conditioner was positioned oddly in a corner and barely worked, leaving us in stifling heat. I could not sleep a wink, and by morning, I was exhausted and frustrated. When I expressed my concerns to the front desk, the lady was kind and seemed to understand my plight. But when she passed the message to the owner, his response was devastating.
He told her to refund us for one night and rudely said, "Ask them to get the **** of my hotel." I was utterly shocked and hurt. As an Indian myself, I felt deeply saddened that he, someone from my own culture, could behave in such an unkind and disrespectful manner. Our culture teaches us to treat guests with care and hospitality, but his actions were the complete opposite.
This experience has left me feeling disrespected and deeply disappointed. I urge others to avoid this hotel. No one deserves to be treated this way