Marina Del Rey Hotel Manager charged me $250 while my cat was missing, then harassed me for handing out flyers and let him escape again. Marina del Rey CA

I stayed at the Marina del Rey Hotel in July 2025. I brought my indoor-only cat for a short stay while he recovered from a vet visit. Their website clearly says they allow pets with a fee, but I was never told about the policy — instead, I was charged $250 as a cleaning fee while my cat was still missing.

He disappeared from the room while I had a Do Not Disturb sign on the door — I later confirmed that housekeeping had entered the room anyway, which is likely when he escaped. I was visibly distressed and crying as I searched for him. Even though the hotel manager initially acted concerned, he then charged me $250, accused me of violating policy, and threatened to evict me — despite me having prepaid for the next night.

While I was printing and distributing missing pet flyers, he followed me around the hotel with a security guard, telling me I wasn’t allowed to speak to employees or guests about my missing pet. I have video evidence showing the room was spotless when I left.

Even worse — after my cat was found and returned, he disappeared again shortly before checkout. I learned the door had been opened once more without my consent, and he was seen near the marina around 10 A.M. I did not open the door. The hotel has not refunded the $250 or acknowledged any wrongdoing.

I’ve filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, California Attorney General, and the California Hotel & Lodging Association. This experience has caused extreme emotional distress. The behavior by hotel management was unethical, retaliatory, and potentially negligent.