An Unforgettable Experience at Avenida Boutique Hotel

Unpleasant Surprises from the Moment I Arrived

After a long drive from Mexico to California, I booked a room at Avenida Boutique Hotel in Oceanside through Expedia. The name sounds fancy, but in reality, it used to be an old EconoLodge that has seen better days. As soon as I entered the parking lot, I noticed a group of suspicious individuals hanging around, which made me feel quite unsafe.

Obstacles Right from Check-In

The first shock came during the payment process. The staff at the front desk informed me that their card reader was down, forcing me to pay in cash for my bill along with a $100 deposit. It was frustrating, as it seemed they wanted to avoid any record-keeping. When I asked how long the machine had been down, the staff replied two days, but from online reviews, it appeared she was lying.

Upon entering my room, I realized I hadn’t received a receipt for the deposit. When I returned to the front desk, a young woman handed me a receipt that didn’t mention the deposit at all. After some back and forth, she reluctantly agreed to give me one. I was looking forward to freshening up after my long journey, but the shower head fell off, leaving me to stand under the water to clean myself.

Warning Reviews

After that, I went out for a meal and then lay on the bed reading more online reviews about the hotel. Many guests recounted their struggles to get their deposits back, often citing ridiculous reasons like makeup stains or small marks on towels. I was genuinely worried about having to fight for my deposit the next morning.

Confrontation with the Hotel Manager

The next morning, I spent 90 minutes cleaning up to avoid any issues. When I approached the front desk, I encountered the manager (who I believe was named Jay). I handed him my room key and slowly presented the deposit receipt. He took it, crossed out my name, and began crumpling it up, clearly intending to throw it away. I asked for my document back, but he refused and started raising his voice.

Feeling uneasy, I insisted he return my receipt or my deposit instead of yelling at me. He continued shouting, making me feel like I was talking to a madman. After a while, I was fed up and said I would call the police if he didn’t return my paper or my deposit. Instantly, he lost it, accusing me of drug use and shouting for about ten minutes.

The Arrival of the Police

The tension from the confrontation was palpable, and I didn’t want to be the target of his abusive language any longer. I called the police. As I stepped out to wait, I heard him screaming like a lunatic, wondering just how bizarre this situation could get. All I wanted was to get my deposit back, leave, and catch my train home.

When the police arrived, I introduced myself as the caller, and they asked me to wait outside while they spoke with the manager. After about five minutes, they signaled for me to come in, and my deposit was already placed on the counter. Over the past 15 years, I’ve had my fair share of unpleasant hotel experiences (maybe around seven out of 200), but this was truly one of the worst—an aggressive, loud, and manipulative manager who completely lacked hospitality.

Beware of This Hotel

If you think my experience was a one-off, think again. Read more online reviews, and you’ll find that alongside the unrealistic 10/10 ratings, there are numerous reports of scams and bad behavior from this hotel. I want to share my experience to make others aware of what’s happening here. Currently, I’m looking for an investigative agency to take down these scammers, based on my experience and the poor reviews this hotel has received.