Horrible service by frontdesk receptionist MARIA.
Walked into this beautiful hotel and got in line for about 15 minutes. Once approached the front counter, Maria had an attitude and she did not even greet me. Her first statements were somewhere in the lines of "you have a reservation right?" We went through the reservation and she asked me to come back in 30 minutes so I found a seat near the front desk and for 30 minutes I watched over 20 parties of guests checking in and not one of them were asked to wait. After 30 minutes passed, she was left the front desk and was replaced with another receptionist. I was suppose to be able to go straight to her and not get in line but she was nowhere to be found and she didnt even notify me before she left. So I got in line again and waited another 10-15 minutes and I finally see her walking in and out of the backroom while I was standing in line so I left the line and chased her. When I finally got her attention, she didnt even remember or recognize me. I had to explain what she asked me to do. I was really angry at this point so I asked her why I had to wait and she showed no sympathy and just kept repeating, "you're room wasnt ready." I kept asking her, why didnt you assign a different room? Why did take me almost 1hour to get my keys? I even asked her if the fact that I am an employee of the State of California and receiving a discount on the room rate was a reason. Either way, for the first time in my life, I was treated like a 2nd rate/class consumer. She did not greet me, she wasnt comforting with the wait, she didnt even apologize or try to make my experience better after my complaint. This is by far the worst customer service treatment I have received in my entire life. I get better service buying food from a street vendor.
I even invited 2 other couples to stay in the hotel that evening so we can carpool to our New Years Eve festivities. I shouldnt have done that. Overall, the hotel is nice and the location is in the heart of downtown Los Angeles in Little Tokyo and is accessible from plenty of tourist attractions. However, the fact that I received such horrible customer service treatment, I doubt I will ever stay at this hotel nor recommend it to anyone I know. In fact, I am in such disappointment and feel offended that I WANT to share my bad experience to my friends and family.
Update: 3 days after writing a complain letter to the GM, OM, and Crestline's Human Resources Department, I received an apology letter from GM Richard Gaines and he apologized for my bad experience. However, most of his letter was explaining that they had 16 rooms with water issues and a stressed staff and more. The letter was mainly excuses but Im not concerned about room with no hot water or his staff. Those were not my problems. Im concerned about thow I was treated. Mr Gaines apology letter was the bare minimum. I dont think he went above and beyond the normal procedure nor go the extra mile for my business. In conclusion, KYOTO GRAND HOTEL: Nice lobby, mediocre rooms, and horrible customer service from receptionist MARIA.