ENDION ABQ PRESENTS LA CASITA ROSADA

Owner's Response: It is easy enough to notice that this is the only negative review we have ever received in our 4 1/2 years as owner/operators of La Casita Rosada in Albuquerque. We are dreadfully sorry that this guest was so unhappy with her stay but as time goes by I remind myself that I must learn to trust my gut instincts better. I should have known from the instant Linda rescheduled her stay for the third time that something was a bit awry with her.

She arrived after a very long drive from Los Angeles to ABQ, so we didn't think much of it when she claimed fatigue and to be feeling out of sorts. The next morning she described what sounded as if it might be a combination of seasonal allergies (we are at the height of allergy season here) and a bit of altitude sickness, so we agreed that resting was probably a good idea and I gave her a some Mucinex so she wouldn't have to go out to a pharmacy.

She brought her two small dogs along and they were a constant delight, but we did suggest that she not leave dog food unattended too long because it could attract ants. She never mentioned having had an ant problem. The next day she informed us that she had found a cockroach, which we were sorry to hear, but despite the fact that the casita is of new construction and kept immaculately clean, we live in the historic part of the city in which much of the infrastructure is old and only slowly being replaced. Unfortunately, partiularly due to warmer temps, a few cockroaches manage to overwinter and appear. We are far from inundated. We choose not to ever put out cockroach bait though, when pets are around.

I discussed this with her, and we both laughed about it and I believed that was the end of it. The day of her departure she asked if she could have a late check out because she still wasn't feeling well. I agreed and checked on her twice during the afternoon. Normal check out is at 11am. She finally departed about 4 pm. My impression was that it all went as well as it could have despite the unexpected cold snap one day in which I loaned her a coat that she took home with her, and she seemed to not do well with the mile high altitude of ABQ. I had also thought I smelled cigarette smoke wafting from the casita, but shrugged it off until I found several wetted butts in the bathroom trashcan. Our is a 100% non-smoking property. The next day I received an email from her requesting a refund. I responded by asking if she might first like to return my coat.