Somerset Quality Inn

Lest you think the content of this review means I'm a racist, I was registering Black voters in South Carolina when the students' parents were in diapers, and have always been a supporter of equal rights {AND responsibilities} for all!!

I tried the Somerset Quality Inn in New Jersey twice in 2006. The first time, the room across the hall was occupied by 8 to 12 late teens - early 20's African American males celebrating the birthday of one of the occupants. Their door lock was broken, with the bolt sticking out, so that every five minutes a loud "thud" would result from people entering or leaving, and the noise from the party filled the floor.

I called the desk and asked that this problem be resolved, and had to leave for several hours to resolve a car problem. When I returned at around 9:45pm, the party was going full blast. I called the desk again, and was informed that "quiet hours" didn't start until 10:30pm!! The only solution the desk offered was for US to move to another section of the motel!! I demanded to see the manager.

The manager showed up, also an African American person. I believe this influenced his "handling" of this situation.

Because of the defective door and the noise level, I could hear him trying to placate the party boys, blaming me for being unreasonable!! This resulted in my entering into a screaming match with all of them. No longer feeling safe, we decided to move to "Siberia" a room in the far end of the motel. While inconvenient, this room WAS quiet. Both the manager ("...I've been through this a million times before.. you don't get anything" and Choice Hotels refused to honor their "satisfaction guarantee". Choice gave me 2000 points, worth about $20, if I use them.

The second time (OK, I guess I'm stupid) we requested a quiet room (from the same manager). The motel was occupied by a group of largely unsupervised Jr. High or High School students running amok through the halls most of the night. We didn't bother complaining!!

Never again. We would get more rest sleeping in the van!!