Paul Walsh, the Irish Opportunist

Even the WiFi error messages at the Clift Hotel are unfriendly

403 Forbidden: The server understood the request, but is refusing to fulfill it.

This is my first post about the Web Mission and I’m afraid to say that the most prominent memory I have so far involves a few trolls that work at the Clift hotel in San Francisco. It’s a shame that the tone needs to be negative, but others are voicing their concerns over the little village people employed by the Clift, compelling me to write about it. I will of course write some positive posts about all the fantastic things that are happening on the trip. I’ll also address Ryan Carson’s attack on the Web Mission. In short, I agree with Mike Butcher and Paul Carr.

Here’s just one example of how the Clift hotel is a place to avoid when staying in San Francisco.

A friend of mine (TV presenter from Norway - FYI she’s not part of the Mission) checked in last night and was almost put out on the street by the receptionist for not having a working credit card to cover incidentals (stuff she may or may not want to buy in the future!).

The conversation between her (AKA cardless girl) and the ejit (AKA troll) behind reception went something like this

Cardless TV girl

Hi, my name is x, I’d like to check in please

Troll

What is your name ? !

Cardless girl

Xx Xx

Troll

Can I have your credit card! please

Cardless girl

I’m afraid my card doesn’t work. It’s ok though. The room is being paid for by company x

Troll

Have you got a card!

Cardless girl

No, it doesn’t work. Company x is paying for the room.

Troll

I need a card from you!

Cardless girl

I don’t have one.

Troll

Then there’s nothing I can do!

Cardless girl

But what’s the solution then!

Troll

There isn’t one!

Cardless girl

OK. My friend is staying here. He’s in room xxx. Can you call him for me please?

Troll

No. There are phones around the corner you can use to call (note, these are pay phones)

The situation was finally resolved but only when the company CEO responsible for giving the hotel card details in the first place, drove here to give the same details again, for the incidentals which may or may never be bought.