Ann Marie
3 maart 2023
My friends from Rhode Island and Florida came out to visit me in AZ and I was excited to show them the Grand Canyon for their first time, so I booked at stay at Yavapai Lodge through Trip.com. Knowing that there was snow in the forecast, I called Yavapai Lodge the day before we were to check in to ask if they know if there were any road closures. They told me that there were closures the day before, but for me to call back the next morning when we were scheduled to check in. I called that morning and the person I spoke to stated that there were NO road closures at that time and that if I do need to cancel, that I cancel through Trip.com. I checked the nps.gov website and called the 24 hour service line to triple check for any road closures before driving to the GC from Phoenix. Both the website and the 24 hour line both stated that the South Rim entrance on the 64 was still open, but when we drove there, the gate was closed so we were not able to enter the GC at all. I called Trip.com and tried to cancel my reservation in which the representative I spoke to worked real hard in communicating with the Yavapai Lodge to see if I can be reimbursed since I was not able to get into the GC and stay at the lodge. I heard back from the rep from Trip.com 2 days later and she told me that Yavapai Lodge declined the request and would not reimburse me. She asked me if I would like to dispute it again and so I did, but was again declined a few days later when they told me that they tried to explain to the Yavapai Lodge all the efforts I put in to finding out about road closures and then getting to the GC all to be turned around and trying to find out where to stay next. Kuddos to Jean at Trip.com for communicating with me through this process while I was on vacation trying to give my friends a great experience in AZ! But I am disappointed with the Yavapai Lodge for not accommodating us with a reimbursing since I had no control over the road closure situation, and I am also disappointed in the NPS website for not updating their site or phone line with the road closures. I am sure I was not the only one to have to turn around when we saw the gate closed. I wish I can write a great review on our stay at the Yavapai Lodge, but we didn't even get to stay there. We got a picture at the GC sign at least!
Vertalen