Tappan Zee Hotel

My son found himself stranded in West Nyack yesterday, and needed a place to stay. The only hotel with a vacancy was the Tappan Zee and my son was within a 25 minute walk to the hotel. I called the hotel at 11:50 pm after seeing on-line that they had 3 rooms available, and that the desk was manned 24 hours a day. When I attempted to pay for his room ($130 plus taxes) I was told they didn't accept credit cards over the phone. I then asked if I could simply book the room on-line for him . . . The answer was a flat "No." He then suggested I try the other hotels in the area. I explained that they were all full, and I really needed to get my son off the street. He wouldn't budge. As a result, my son spent the night sleeping on a park bench! How can a hotel that ONLY accepts payment at the front desk upon check-in, even still be in business???