I had a shocking experience. Even though I didn't smoke in the room, after checking out, I was told the room smelled of cigarettes and couldn't be rented to the next guest. They also claimed that rooms on the same floor and the floor below were canceled due to the cigarette smell, and demanded I pay a 300,000 won cleaning fee immediately by credit card.
Here's the background: I smoke IQOS, so upon check-in, I asked the front desk if there was a designated smoking area. They told me everyone smokes in the alley next to the building, so I used that spot. After smoking there three times, I was told off twice by strangers, which put me off, so I barely smoked afterward.
Before checking out, while tidying my bag, I threw two IQOS butts into the trash. Suddenly, the hotel sent me a LINE message with a picture of these butts, demanding I come to the hotel immediately for compensation. I took time out of my day to go to the hotel to explain, but they were dismissive and aggressive, insisting I pay by card and provide my card details.
When I asked them to provide data if rooms were actually canceled, or if I could see the cleaning process if a cleaning company had been hired, they said it was impossible. When I then said I wouldn't pay, they threatened not to let me leave the hotel if I didn't swipe my card. I believe this is criminal behavior.
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