I honestly wasn't having a bad time, I booked for one night initially, as I do most times I stay somewhere new, to see what the place is like, get the initial vibe, etc, and I make sure to mention when I check in that day or night that I would possibly be booking an additional night if I enjoyed the first one. Well, here comes the rub. Upon checking in, I mentioned the additional night possiblity, and the girl working said that would be fine, just let them know; which is what every other hostel I've ever stayed at has said, unless it was super busy, and they sold out before I could extend, of course. And that is always totally understandable. It happens. That is NOT what happened at Lucky D's. First problem with accommodations themselves, I booked my first night in the Hostelworld app, which, I will admit after checking today, does specify on a few of the room options that the rooms have A/C. But they DONT specify on the ones without, that they are NOT air conditioned. Maybe I'm crazy, but until California, I've never seen hostels in the USA without A/C and heat?? But anyway, I asked when checking in if I had booked with an A/C or not, but she kind of pretended not to hear the question, which I immediately realized meant...NO A/C. I mean, it was fine, it was a cool night anyway so I was straight, but why was I not asked," hey, if you would like to pay the extra, I could upgrade you to an A/C room? " upsell is the easiest money in the world, just saying. Next issue, beds were not very good. I mean, not the worst, by far, but my back is not in good shape anyway, and the beds didn't help at all. Next issue, and obviously the biggest; the following morning as soon as I woke up, which was well before check out, I went onto Lucky D's actual webpage and booked that night, even electing to choose the No A/C option to try to make their job a bit easier and maybe not have to even change my room or bed number. It said it was confirmed, and because I was just extending, which you may remember I mentioned to the clerk at my original check in the previous night, I went back to sleep, exhausted. I was woken up maybe an hour later and told I needed to come and check out immediately. I let the staff member know I had extended, and should be good, but I had no issue with coming to the front desk to let them figure it out. She then told me, well you didn't pay yet though...which I was not aware of. So I apologized for my lapse in the thinking and immediately got my shoes and ran down to pay, at which time I was told I was not allowed to stay and that my reservation was no good because I couldn't show them a plane ticket showing travel out of the area at that time. *Side note, San Diego is 20 minutes from the Mexico border, in case anyone wasn't aware of that fact.* I told them I would be going to Mexico the following day, taking the rail to San Ysidro and using the international pedestrian bridge, which apparently does not qualify as international travel, nor does not TENNESSEE Drivers License qualify as proof I don't live in San Diego or California, or even this side of the Mississippi River!! Also, I can't for the life of me understand why they would turn down someone wanting to extend a stay by 24 hours, nor do I understand why I was told the previous evening that extending was not a problem. And just as other reviews have said, some of the staff are great, others seem annoyed and very bothered by having to do their jobs, or even speak to guests. Also, bathrooms, not the cleanest, rooms only semi clean, no breakfast, no locks or I guess without buying them... not much about Lucky D's ended up being good. Go at your own peril, but know that there are plenty of other hostels close to same areas, for maybe 5-10 more dollars, and it's probably worth the slightly higher price to avoid this one. And to the owner...your staff members told me conflicting things, and then did their best to make me out to be the one in the wrong. That is NOT ok. I came as a traveler to stay a short time, one or two nights, which I specifically told your clerk at check in....and was told, if I wanted to extend to use the actual website, and it wouldn't be an issue. And after doing EXACTLY that, a different worker tells me when I come to the front desk that next Morning, that they don't allow locals to stay...I'm NOT a local, came here on a multi city and multi country trip, just came across an international border the same day i stayed the initial night, etc. I simply came back to San Diego to get to an early appt to meet with my physician, and I felt like I should go ahead and stay the next night as well to get cheaper tickets booked, but was unceremoniously told after trying to pay for my reservation that I made on the site, that I needed to strip my bed and leave, because I didn't have a plane ticket showing my next destination.....…
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.