"We booked for three nights through Hotels.com. Check-in went smooth. Room was pretty decent except the closet shelf had a fair amount of visible rodent droppings. (Photo attached)
At 5am of night 2, we both were too ill to continue our trip (NOTE - I am not attributing this to the rodent droppings, this was unrelated virus.)
I contacted the hotel to see about canceling the third night, saying I could be out of the room by 11am. They said I had to go through the third party booker. I contacted hotels.com and the representative was extremely helpful and accommodating. She called the hotel and spoke to "Rachel" the manager. She even offered the medical evidence from my urgent care visit. Rachel was steadfast and said she would not allow the cancelation of the third night. The hotels.com representative was apologetic and sympathetic.
I get it. I read the booking rules before the reservation was made, so no need to explain in the reply that there is no cancelation. But you know darn well the hotel could still sell a night's stay, thereby not losing money, and accommodate travelers in an unfortunate situation.
Also, I parked 4 blocks away for $32 (total) for three days. Hotel parking was $50 per day.
Oh well."