Review of Edgar Hotel Martha's Vineyard, Ascend Hotel Collection 3*

If I could give it 0 stars I would. I was content to just keep my terrible experience to myself. Then, I opened my credit card statement to find that I was charged for something that I didn't use. To start, the staff at the front desk, when checking in, was rude and completely unhelpful. We had reserved two rooms at the same time, but were put at opposite ends of the hall. We were forced to give a credit card, even though the rooms were already paid for. This was, as explained to us, for "incidentals". When we said we didn't want to put a credit card on file, we were told that it was "company policy" and had no choice (what could we do, we were already on the island). We had to sign a statement saying that we would be charged $250 if we brought a bicycle in the room and $250 if we smoked in the room (the entire hotel was SUPPOSED to be smoke-free). The smoking statement will be relevant in a minute. The room was nice. Spacious and clean. I will give them that. However, not long after we got settled, we could smell cigarette smoke. We couldn't find the source. It wasn't coming from outside and it wasn't in the hall. The only thing we could come up with was that someone was smoking in an adjoining room and blowing the smoke into the bathroom vent. We were told that we couldn't move rooms because the hotel was almost full. No attempts were made to help us get another room other than we were told there "was nothing they could do". One of the night staff, who was very nice and sympathetic, offered to give us the hotels "fabreeze" spray and try to mask the smell. Needless to say, it didn't work. Now, 1 month later, I check my credit card statement and there's a $4.77 charge for a "mandatory safe usage fee". We were told that if we used the safe, we would be charged a fee. But, if we didn't use it, we would not be charged. The overall experience was terrible. I can see why Martha's Vineyard doesn't allow "chain" businesses. Don't stay at the Clarion Inn on Martha's Vineyard. Ever!