It’s honestly taken me a few days to write this review because I was so shaken by the events that occurred last Thursday, February 23, 2023. I have never been treated with such little humanity.
I have visited the Surf Club Oceanfront Hotel many, many times in the last few years (I literally still have their guest parking pass on my dash from my last visit just a few months ago), but after the inexplicably hostile treatment I received from Ralph, I will not come back, and I suggest you don’t either.
TLDR: I asked a hotel employee to use the beach bathroom before I booked my room (I’m a regular, I stay here ALL the time, and I was told my room wasn’t going to be ready for 1-2 hours anyway), and Ralph (another employee) yelled at the hotel employee who let me in and called the cops on me. He then changed the “vacancy” sign to “no vacancies” making sure I wouldn’t be able to get that room I’d inquired after after all.
February 23rd was an uncharacteristically warm day, so I did what I do anytime that happens. I packed a bag and drove the 2.5 hours to spend the day (and usually night) at my favorite beachfront hotel. I arrived just in time to catch the sunrise and spent an hour or so walking the beach, reading my book, and taking in the beach breeze.
Shortly after Surf Club opened around 8 am, I saw the green “vacancies” sign was lit up, so walked in to inquire about a room for the night. I spoke with Ralph about the different rooms/rates available and asked how early I could check in. He told me 1 to 2 hours tops since they weren’t busy, and it’s not like they were waiting on people to check-out (this is important later). I told him I was going to think it over for a few minutes (I also wanted to check online rates, which are sometimes cheaper than booking at the front desk) and check in with a friend who might be joining me, but that I’d be back to book a room. I then asked if I could use the side beach bathroom in the meantime. As a regular, I’m aware of a little restroom attached to the parking area that you can use instead of returning to your hotel room every time you have to use the bathroom. I’ve used it many times, especially while waiting for a room to be ready as check-in is usually around 3 pm, and I always arrive early in the morning. Ralph told me no such bathroom existed. Thinking he was new (this was my first time seeing him), I reminded him of the beach bathroom next to the parking area. He told me I couldn’t use it because I wasn’t a guest yet. I pleaded with him, explaining that I’m a frequent guest (easily verifiable), would likely be a guest again that day, had a long drive, and would just be a minute or 2 tops. Ralph refused.
Okay. A little odd, but at this point I was still interested in a room because, again, this is my favorie spot, and I could just find somewhere else to use the bathroom. I walked outside to call my friend and let her know I was probably going to book a room for the night. I started checking online rates (yep, less expensive than the price Ralph gave me), and then I saw another hotel employee near the beach bathroom. I asked if he would mind letting me use the restroom, and he very courteously said yes and opened the door for me. I went inside, used the bathroom, and walked out in less than 2 minutes. I didn’t linger or make any phone calls. I didn’t sit down on the furniture. I didn’t leave a mess. I didn’t even use the vending machine. I just used the bathroom and left.
When I walked out of the bathroom, I ran into the same friendly employee who had just let me in. He issued me a chilling warning: “You better get out of here, he’s about to call the cops on you.” The COPS!!? For what offense I asked? “I don’t know” he said. “I’m sorry, but I just got yelled at for letting you use the bathroom and now he’s calling the cops, so you better leave.” Leave where I’m thinking? I’m already outside, parked in a public spot, heading to a public beach. Holding back tears, I told the employee I was very sorry he got yelled at, and I quickly walked towards my car near the hotel entrance, where I saw Ralph stand up from his desk and follow me with his eyes as I approached my car.
I was so shaken and confused at this point, that instead of driving away immediately, I got my jacket and walked a few steps to the beach to calm down and gather my thoughts. I wondered if I should wait for the police, assuming they might be looking for me at this point anyway, and explain to them that I was not a threat. A part of me wanted to have a conversation with Ralph, to try to appeal to his humanity, and let him know this escalation was nonsensical, unnecessary, and frankly, unkind. It costs nothing to be kind to each other. I’d been driving for hours. I was alone. I frequent this hotel and have always had pleasant interactions with staff. Nothing I did that morning warranted yelling at an employee much less calling the police! Even if Ralph was upset that I’d asked someone to use the bathroom after he said no, escalating my bathroom break to a criminal offense is ridiculous. I can’t imagine what he even told the cops. I asked a hotel employee to use the bathroom, he said yes, so I used the bathroom, left no damage or mess, and then I left?
But wait, it gets worse! While I was on the beach trying to collect myself, my friend who had been considering joining me called the hotel to see if she could book a room, as a gesture, since I always beat her to it. She called me right after to tell me about her off-putting encounter with (you guessed it) Ralph! Apparently, she called and as soon as she asked about room availability instead of answering her question Ralph said, “aren’t you the woman who just walked in here??” It was an accusation, not a question. She told him no, she hadn’t just walked into anywhere, she was at home. He put her on hold for approximately 5 minutes before another man got on the phone to tell her there were ZERO vacancies at the hotel. Keep in mind I’d just been in there not 10 min earlier, seen the large vacancy sign, and been told by Ralph that there were numerous rooms, so many in fact that I’d be able to check in much earlier than the hotel’s usual check-in time. At this point I decided it was time for me to leave. I walked back to my car and again saw Ralph stand up from his desk and watch me from the window. As I approached my car, which was parked in public parking in front of the hotel, I saw the sign an the hotel entrance now read “No Vacancies”.
This was such an unhinged reaction to a 2-minute bathroom break. I decided I did not want to talk to Ralph or wait for the police. I didn’t even want to stay in the area. I came to the hotel to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach on a rare warm weather day. I had no interest in encountering police or being watched by hotel employees.
Like everyone, the last few years have been filled with a lot of loss for me, especially the loss of community, but I thought I’d found that at this hotel. It had become part of my ritual during warm off-season days. I pack up my car, put on my favorite playlist, drive down to meet the sunrise, and I go to the beach. I stay at the same hotel, go to the same restaurant, and order the same meal. This experience with Ralph has ruined that for me. I will never come back.
Corporate, be mindful of the people you hire. I did nothing wrong. I didn’t break into the bathroom; I was let in by your employee. I was quick, I was clean, and I promptly left. Even if Ralph felt I shouldn’t have asked to use the bathroom after he denied me, calling the cops on a regular guest is a WILD escalation, and frankly, a waste of police resources.
Travelers, especially women traveling alone, DO NOT VISIT THIS HOTEL. This type of overly aggressive stance from staff is a red flag, and I would never feel safe staying in a hotel where staff treat people, guests or not, with such hostility.
