2/10 Rating
Having stayed at Mint House in Downtown St Petersburg on several occasions over the last few years, it really is a great shame that I’m having write such a poor review of somewhere I’d previously recommended to friends and family.
I recently stayed at Mint House for four nights whilst I was in town to watch the Rays at Tropicana Field, this is something I do on a yearly basis. The location of Mint House is perfect for such a trip. The rooms are spacious and well equipped, and the ease of access into the building and your unit is seamless with the use of the web app and door codes.
However I really found the customer service this time around to be lacking, verging on being rude. Whilst is understand Mint House is striving to make the entire stay virtual, if you are going to employ staff then I believe they should be helpful, attentive and pleasant. This is hospitality after all.
My first thoughts upon arriving at Mint House, why has the reception desk been moved from the suite/lounge area at the front of the building to a make shift desk directly outside the elevators? The former reception area was far more welcoming. It had a small stock of drinks and snacks available to purchase along with a comfortable seating area, which was perfect if there was an hour or two between your checkout time and taxi arrival. Putting a fold up table in an elevator lobby and calling it a reception desk made the whole place feel cheap, especially given the pricing point of Mint House.
Following on, I was shocked and dumbfounded by how rude and abrupt the majority of reception staff were. I would ask simple questions such as is there a pharmacy nearby, and would receive a ‘No’ in response. Not directions to nearest pharmacy or where the closest one was located. I required more bin liners for room, and when I asked reception if I could have some more they told me that there was a Publix down the street. As mentioned previously, I’ve stayed at Mint House before and not once have I had to go out and purchase my own bin liners. This was my last interaction with the reception team during my stay. After this I decided I no longer wanted to be insulted or belittled by them.
I’d like to add, that I would often be waiting for an elevator and find reception staff engaged in conversation with fellow Americans. They would be happy to help, and even be sharing a laugh and a joke or two. You can imagine how this made me feel, and by the end of my trip I came to the conclusion that I was being treated differently purely because of my accent. I’ve never felt so unwelcome and uncomfortable at a hotel or lodgings before.
I’m unsure whether the ownership of Mint House has changed recently, but the noticeable changes in staffing and their attitudes need to be addressed. Regardless of how convenient staying here is for my Baseball Trips to St Pete, I won’t be returning and will be finding alternative accommodation for my next visit in October.