01/07/2024
Dear Fest Family,
I hope this message finds you well, and I am thrilled to be reaching out to you in anticipation of the exciting season ahead!!
Regrettably, I must bring to your attention a matter that we have made extensive efforts to resolve without luck. This is a warning to the public. ⚠️
BEFORE I explain I must clarify, this is REGARDING HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS, not the FESTIVAL VENUE.
This is regarding The Lodge at Lolo, which is a FAIRBRIDGE INN AND SUITES- company.
Please note that we are extremely happy with the festival venue, the locally owned LOLO HOTSPRINGS RESORT. Without them, this festival would not exist. Please be clear, there is a difference between the two companies, and this warning is only regarding the LODGE and their rooms.
Our festival happens 9/6-9/8 at The Lolo Hotsprings Resort- the venue. We love our venue. However the nearby lodge has issues.
I find it necessary to inform you that we will no longer be utilizing the Lolo Lodge for our upcoming events whatsoever. This decision was made with careful consideration for the well-being of our Fest Family and our guests.
Over the past eight years, the Montana State H**p & Cannabis Festival has utilized the Lolo Lodge to accommodate our VIP guests. While we have had positive experiences at times, we have also had numerous issues that have cost our small business thousands of dollars.
Unfortunately, during our September stays, challenges escalated that caused us great embarrassment and caused many of our guests uncomfort. Issues arose, including the unavailability of reserved rooms for our most VIP guests, subpar accommodations instead of rooms that were reserved for months, and, most concerning, many reports of bed bugs.
While we understand that unforeseen circumstances can occur, the response from the lodge was not in line with our expectations and has been extremely unprofessional and unkind. Truly-some of the most unprofessional dealings I have ever seen, in my many years. Someday I will tell the story from stage for a good laugh.
The refusal to promptly address and credit our bill for ALL infested rooms, coupled with blame-shifting to our guests, has left us with no choice but to warn others of this business’s tactics and lack of care for public health.
It has come to our attention, through online reviews easily searchable, public Facebook Posts on the Hot Springs Groups and Missoula County Health Department records, that the lodge has been grappling with bed bug issues for at least a year. Despite health department orders for remedy, the problem persists, posing a public health concern.
But most troubling, is that the lodge continues to rent these rooms to unsuspecting guests who wake up covered in bites and even worse take this infestation home with them.
This message serves as a warning rather than an avenue for criticism.
We tried to avoid having to take to social media to warn others but we feel the lack of accountability from this business will only continue. As we launch the next year, we need our friends and guests to know that there is a reason the lodge will have more availability this year.
We sincerely hope that the Lolo Lodge addresses these issues promptly and adequately compensates those affected.
Our primary goal is to safeguard the Fest Family and ensure the most amazing experience for the guests we host.
We have been working with other local businesses and have found better accommodations for our VIP guests. We are excited to have accommodation that values us a loyal business and uphold our level of standards for our guests and our festival goers that they deserve.
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to a fantastic season ahead.
