When I arrived, I was told that the rates had gone up because it was Easter weekend and that my credit card would be charged the extra amount. I couldn’t cancel the reservation because it was after the cancellation period had expired.

The manager wasn’t on duty when I checked in, so when I checked out, I made sure that I very politely, but loudly, told her that I refused to pay the extra amount. That is the risk they take when they demand a guest prepay for a room, especially for a reason that was already apparent when they reserved and charged my room: Easter had not changed dates.

There were several people checking out and when they all heard me use the phrase “bait and switch,” the manager promptly refunded the extra charge to my card.

I don’t understand how a hotel can justify charging extra for a room that is prepaid. Needless to say, I’ll never return to the Peaks of Otter Lodge again and have discouraged others to stay there as well.

I used to be a travel agent before starting to write and to be honest, I know enough “tricks” an agency can use – online or not – so that I prefer to tackle these things directly with the establishment.