DETROIT -- Refund checks given to guests who had been staying at the Detroit Riverside Hotel are bouncing.

Complaints against the hotel, which is the site of the former Pontchartrain Hotel, began rolling in this week after it lost its air conditioning. Other guests said there were no clean towels, and at times, no electricity.

The 320-room hotel was at full capacity Wednesday as 40,000 people filled downtown Detroit for the National Baptist Convention at Cobo Center. But guests quickly found shelter in other area hotels, and they didn’t leave quietly.

After a heated confrontation with the hotel manager, Christopher Ott, National Baptist Convention Housing Director Marsha Dupont helped more than 175 guests relocate to other hotels.

"The leadership of the hotel -- they are not communicating and it does not help the situation," said Dupont.

When Dupont was finally able to reach Ott, he said, "Do you want me to get the refunds process for you people?"

An angered Dupont responded, "Do not ever say 'you people.'"

Ott said he meant for her group and then suggested she settle down, "I think you need a few minutes."

Ott promised that guests would be refunded for a one-night stay.

Most of the rooms were booked at more than $100 a night.

But guests told Local 4 Friday that their checks were bouncing.

In addition, hotel employees said they hadn’t been paid in months. Thursday, a hotel spokesman said at least one paycheck had been issued to employees. But Friday, employees said they were told they would not be getting any more checks.

Shubh, the Florida company that owns the hotel, could not be reached for comment.

Despite the hotel fiasco, National Baptist Convention leaders told Local 4 they have enjoyed their stay in Detroit and plan to return in 2013.

"I really look at it this way: It happened…we weren't really responsible. We fell into this, but God is going to get his glory out of this. You know what I am saying?" said guest Ruth Prunty, who opted to stay.

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