Have any of you have any bad experiences checking into a hotel where you help a reservation?

You don't say, but I gather the hotel was sold out and did not have a room for you? If you booked through a third party (such as one of the travel web sites) call their customer service department. If you booked with the hotel directly, speak with the Front Desk Mgr., or if necessary the GM. Usually it's not necessary to go any further, but if so, find out the number for the corporate office. Having worked in customer service, I do have one recommendation: Be nice. Persist, persist, persist, but be courteous. It tends to make it easier for the other person to sympathize and make more of an effort to help you. Sometimes the room is booked at a different location of the same hotel brand. They should be able to determine this by the confirmation number. Also, since it was prepaid, the credit card company may be able to provide some documentation, assuming that's how you paid. If need be, and depending upon what happened, you may be able to dispute the charge, but you will likely be expected to try to resolve it directly with the company first. In the future, I recommend that you always ask for a written confirmation, look it over closely upon receipt, and bring it with you when you check in. Mistakes do happen--at both ends. Almost all hotels can now send a confirmation via email. I hope that this matter is resolved to your satisfaction. Some of a company's most loyal customers are those who had a problem which was resolved beyond their expectations. I hope that this is the case here.

Did you book it directly with the hotel or through a third-party? This can sometimes cause a problem. Even if you didn't, hotels often overbook and reservations can disappear from time to time. Even when they have you in the system, they sometimes give away your room. I have had this happen and it is not fun. Be sure to ask for compensation. Sometimes you can get a free night or room upgrade, or at least a free breakfast for your troubles.