I actually inspected the hotel (in the story linked to below)a week after this damage occurred. The property was on my schedule & no one called to inform me they were having issues.
The damage in the 2 rooms they tore apart, IMO, was approximately $15,000 even though the article just says damages over $10,000. http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/destroyed-motel-rooms-lead-to-frat-pledges-arrest
So I am with you on the property damage in Michigan. I’d say it’s going to be over $100,000 NOT factoring loss of rent on those rooms & in that hallway.
I just cannot imagine anyone thinking doing things like this is okay. Nor can I imagine that they thought there would be no consequences.
Why the police weren’t called I just don’t understand. The property I inspected was an exterior corridor property with 2 separate buildings, so it was a little harder for anyone to see what was going on. This latest incident was an interior corridor building and I’d think guests would be calling the front desk to complain.
If you’re like Anthony Melchiorri, you understand that this imposes a major burden on a hotel. Just a few bad reviews can sink a seasonal business like this.
But he deals with people who have no experience in the hospitality industry business and are often in over their heads. This on the other hand, is all customer damage. Now, hotels do anticipate a certain amount of normal wear and in their business but wanton destruction of property is something they aren’t prepared for.
In this case, the damage goes well beyond have to renovate the place. It means they have to be closed, lay off staff that work and they loose bookings that bring in revenue. I’d double or even triple the loss estimate. The hotel has insurance but it won’t cover everything.
And if the hotel has to deny young people rental privileges, those young people will have to thank young punks who should have known better. Its a sad situation all around and no one really wins.
Should be easy to find out who is personally responsible... who booked the rooms, and whose credit card was used to do it?
Why not? This is EXACTLY what we teach now as our official American ideology. Anything you want to do is OK so long as it makes you feel good. And any so-called "consequences" are just racist, sexist, homophobic, patriarchal oppression.
Wow! Thanks for your awesome post!