Lancaster's Backpacker Hotel, McCarthy, USA

50%

My reservation was cancelled by the owner - Neil because one of the days was on July 4. Even though I purchased cancellation protection, he apparently didn't like the sense of insecurity on his side, so he gave our room to someone else because we refused to give him credit card number. Afterall, what's the point of reserving thru hostel world and purchase the protection. Plus, he gave me a phone call a month earlier promising he would hold my reservation until July 3, when I should call in to confirm the reservation with my credit card number, which I agreed. But When I did call in, he totally denied we had that conversation and saying he didn't call me at all. But I HAVE IT ON MY PHONE RECORD. We ended up having no place to stay on July 4, when we could have been in McCarthy and enjoy the festival with the parade. We arrived a day later, he kept apologizing and offer an upgrade, but nothing could have made it up. this basically ruined my mood and the rest of my vacation. Also, this apparently didn't just happen to us. We heard another family kicked out of lancaster and forced to live in the Ma Johnson hotel (which he owns and a lot more expensive), not sure exactly what the reasons are, but they're not happy either and left a day earlier. He didn't offer any refunds apparently. He also owns the little Cafe across the street, which by the way is apparently the only entertainment in this town and everybody make very loud noise until midnight. In Summary, I love the park, but I highly recommend staying at the kennecott hostel instead or just camp outside. Most attractions are in Kennecott, it takes $10 round trip per person to go there from McCarthy everyday. Try not to stay at McCarthy. Most people don't stay overnight and just drive back. If you have to stay McCarthy, book thru the hostel directly, not hostelworld. Can't guarantee you won't have problems with them. But Good Luck!

Xin, from China ~ Jul 13 2007