I stayed at the Element Hotel on May 2nd. The only “secure” parking option, as explained to me at check-in, was valet—because the back lot lacks security cameras and has a history of break-ins. Naturally, I opted for valet. I handed over my keys, trusting the hotel’s assurances of safety and professionalism. That trust was a mistake.
Upon returning home after checkout, I noticed damage to the rear quarter panel of my car. I immediately contacted the hotel and filed a claim with the valet. I was told to follow up in a few days, which I did. Their response? A flat-out denial of responsibility, citing “lack of video evidence.”
So, I obtained the video evidence myself. It clearly shows their driver parking my vehicle, walking directly to the damaged area, examining it not once, not twice—but three times—before mysteriously relocating my car across the garage. Tell me: why would a driver repeatedly return to and loiter around a specific section of a car if he hadn’t noticed something—or caused it?
Let’s call this what it is: tampering with evidence and an amateur attempt at damage control.
Despite the footage, despite a police report, despite common sense, the claim was again denied. To make matters worse, my insurance adjuster informed me that the valet manager refused to cooperate or provide any helpful information. That’s not just negligent—it’s obstructive.
I didn’t damage my car. Their driver did. The refusal to accept responsibility is nothing short of dishonest. Anyone claiming otherwise after viewing the footage is willfully blind or simply lying to protect their bottom line. The negligence here is staggering—and the cover-up is even more insulting.
I’m left wondering how many other guests have had their property damaged by this team and either didn’t notice or gave up fighting. The valet claims to “take ownership” when they’re at fault—but based on this experience, that seems like a hollow, PR-friendly lie.