Made reservation for 10/14/2009 check-in for one month. Tried to cancel reservation on 10/13/2009. Chris refused, citing a 48-hour notice policy "posted prominently in our lobby." I did not see any such sign. Chris also cited "costs for moving furniture," "lost business because of my reservation" as reasons why they must charge me a cancellation fee. (They closed down half of the hotel for the winter and instantly had limited rooms).

When I asked how much, Chris said $185.00 (the actual cost was over $195 because they included California taxes). My credit card was not on file, so I did not "guarantee" the reservation. Because I feared Chris filing a full-month, small claims court suit on me (over $600), I decided to pay the $185+ to end the problem. It is not my responsibility to pay their business costs of moving furniture. It is not my responsibility for them to turn away business. Also, their 48-hour cancellation policy is absurd. Travelers don't always have that luxury. I drove by their motel at 4:45 a.m. on Wednesday, 10/14 and the only car in the lot was the owners' car.