My recent experience at the Sonesta Essential Columbus in Georgia was so unprofessional and predatory that I feel obligated to warn other travelers, especially those new to the area or in uniform.
Upon arriving the day of my prepaid reservation, I was met by Helen, the Front Desk Manager, who informed me that although the hotel had clean, empty rooms available, she would not allow me to check in early—unless I paid for an entire second night. Not a standard early check-in fee, but a full additional night’s charge, just to access the room I had already paid for that same day.
Following this encounter, Expedia customer service contacted Helen directly to attempt a resolution. She refused to adjust her position, denied a refund for the reservation that had been made just hours earlier, and declined to allow a change of dates or credit the booking for future use.
The whole interaction was both inflexible and exploitative. This hotel appears to operate with policies that prey on less experienced or transient travelers, including young servicemembers stationed at nearby Fort Benning. It’s hard to imagine this kind of behavior being tolerated at a reputable property.
If you’re looking for fairness, decency, or even the most basic customer service, do yourself a favor and steer clear of Sonesta Essential Columbus. This wasn’t just bad hospitality—it was a deliberate cash grab that disrespected both my time and my patronage.
