Steer Clear of Wyndham

 

On Thursday, 11 December 2025, I and my wife were returning from a 10-day cruise ported out of Galveston, Texas. It’s a good drive home but Wichita Falls seemed like a good stopping point.  I could get a little rest, a little middle of the night work online, while my wife used the roll in shower and got some sleep.

My check-in was tolerable. The word welcome was never used, but I did cheer up the young lady at the desk and perhaps got her through whatever was weighting her down.

I caught a couple hours then went to the front desk, not expecting to interrupt any check-ins. I noted the WIFI problem in general terms to the clerk now on duty and she replied “meh” and that was it.

I said, “Ok, then if I’m not getting WIFI access, I’m just going to grab a soft drink and sit in here for a moment to reframe my work plan. I asked where the machines were. She eventually told me where the vending machine was. I think the fact that I had not gone away after her indifference to my WIFI issue upset her and I was supposed to go find signs and read them.

I came back into the lobby and proceeded into the breakfast area. There was a sign that said it was closed. The young woman made no preemptory comment when I told her my plan to get a soft drink and sit in that area, until I sat in that area. I had violated the authority of the sign that said breakfast was closed and promptly complied by moving into the lighted lobby where there were no signs. I had barely seated myself when the clerk admonished me for sitting in the lobby. It’s closed! You can’t sit there. I can ban you from this hotel for 2 years. Wow!

I got this hotel at a good, off-season rate (not on the Wyndham app), and had to wonder why run your guests off if you have to offer a low rate just to get them here?

The logical fallacies abounded, but who puts a check-in desk in a closed lobby? I knew not to engage this young lady enjoying her power trip, but I am also not tolerant of blatant disrespect or for being blamed for another person’s bad attitude. I have been gaslighted before.

The civil thing to do to resolve this fabricated violation of my many wrongs was to speak to the manager. I knew it was the middle of the night when I asked for the number. She made the point of reminding me.  I served as a Marine Infantry officer for 20 years, a pastor for 18, and a newspaper executive for another 5. Nobody forced me to those callings and assignments. If you take the job where people stay overnight, work at night, or where problems may arise at night, then being available as a manager during the night is just part of the duty.

The young lady on a power trip gave me her manager’s card. It rang at the front desk. She got an extended laugh out of that. At least Wyndham gets some amusement from those they suckered into their system.

When I found out that the manager number was a ploy, I asked the lady to call the police. She was shocked. She couldn’t figure out why.

She called her manager and started talking as if she was on the run from a dozen thugs with chains. She would step near her station and then dart away behind a petition, then repeat. I think she was playing to the cameras she said were running. I hope they were.

I’m wondering if her manager was thinking the National Guard might be needed as the panicked voice continued.  Remember, this voice kicked in when I said it was time to call the police.

Her description of me opened my eyes to racial profiling. I have been profiled before. As one of ten lighter skinned people in western Kena around Langas/Eldoret—about 6 million people—I saw father’s pointing at me.  I was white and you just don’t see too many white folks in those parts. Being a father, I would have done the same and pointed out the unique to my son had roles been reversed.

The African people were not hateful. I was an enigma. I got it. Roles reversed, I can’t say I would do much different.

The people at the Baymont (I’m including the unseen manager) were up to no good. I don’t know what. Their objectives are obscure when the I can have you removed from the hotel was among the first things the clerk said after I reported the WIFI not working. I wasn’t going to let this pitiful scam affect me. This young lady got excited when I asked for the police.

She did ask me to leave and the police said that she could do that. The police were professional and followed the law. We packed and left at zero dark thirty.

I get it. Some people are pissed at the world and even more upset at white people. I addressed this with Geoffrey A. Ballotti, the Wyndham CEO. I knew that the hotels were their own entity but still under the Wyndham brand. I also expected that a senior executive, not Ballotti, would get back with me.

 

I didn’t ask for a refund or threaten to sue the hotel and Wyndham for racial profiling. I simply ask Mr. Ballotti, whom I now call No Balls Ballotti, to say this was not the Wyndham way.  Apparently, it is. The Wyndham response was pitiful and leaves me to believe that racial profiling is desirable among Wyndham executives and employees.

 

My previous experience with Wyndham properties was average. They have earned top honors in the bottom of the barrel category.

 

STEER CLEAR OF WYNDHAM!