wharvey

For same sex couples, how do you handle hotel check-ins when you are travelling together?

If we are staying at non-gay properties, I usually go to the front desk alone to ask for one king size bed (will take QUEEN if forced - no SMART comments!) and two keys.

I figure there is no reason to give the hotel staff a chance to discriminate or ask questions...

What does everyone else do?

William

catwood

Admittedly single, however I travel with guy friends all the time. I do nothing differently, we both go up, and we get keys. And as annoying as the Langham was in London we had the same bed. (i like to joke about this, but i like my own bed). More and more hotels for me anyway assume I am together with him.

I've never had an issue.

Chris

lalala

Hmm.
Just happened to us in DC- Jury's at Dupont Circle of all places.

Asked for a king on the website, when we checked in the woman looked at us and gave us two full beds.

No biggie, but sometimes it bothers me.
If I don't know what the place will be like, I go in first while my partner parks the car.

I was staying at the Mark Hopkins with my brother last year and the woman automatically gave us a king size bed. We opted for two fulls. Makes some sense, we have the same last name and were bickering over who got to keep the miles.

lala

robb

It's beena w hile since we did the whole sending 1 person up thing, but the memories made me smile.

We both just walk up and check-in, and normally we're asked about the room type (I love that regardless of what type and rate you reserve, your still asked as if you'll suddenly decide on a less desirable room), and confirm the King Size bed.

However, we don't like to stay at small or vintage properties, so YMMV.

Doppy

I tend to say at 4 & 5 star properties, and haven't had too much of an issue with it. We always check in together, and often get escorted to our room by someone on the staff without incident.

On the other hand, I wouldn't put up with any crap from the staff. Fortunately, I haven't really gotten any.

d

Droneklax

Actually, looking at it from the staff's side: you might be two associates and it might be a gaffe to put you both in one bed. The best way the staff can handle it is to ask:

" I see you're booked for a king bed, is that all right with you?" [Hilton BKK].

It's elegant, not awkward and leaves ample opportunity to correct any mistake.

In Japan once, we had to run out the door after trying to check in. The owner just got out screaming with a broom and we ran.




[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited 03-19-2002).]

raffy

Generally, we’ve not had a problem checking in a hotel together though sometimes, we are asked about our bedding selection. Just yesterday, when I checked into the Hyatt Sainte Claire in San Jose, the front desk clerk commented about our advance king size bedding selection by commenting, “You probably don’t want to sleep together” and proceeded to change the reservation to a room with 2 double beds. I said nothing, since I was really the only one staying in the room and simply added my partner to the reservation to enjoy his Platinum status with the hotel and to earn points.

The only humorous memory where this was an issue was when we were in Osaka, Japan and had walked into a small hotel to ask for directions to the nearby Kubuki theatre and were met with yells at the front desk of "No two boys!, no two boys!". We never even got the chance to ask where the theatre was at.

[This message has been edited by raffy (edited 03-18-2002).]

Flexible Flyer

On occasion, we have been greeted this way by a thoughtful desk clerk. More often, the clerk gets slightly flustered and says something like: "There seems to be a mistake with your reservation; I'll give you two beds." We quickly and quietly tell the clerk that a king bed is just fine. Never had any problems. But having said that, we found it is generally easier if only one of us registers while the other sits nearby in the lobby. There really is little point to having two bodies hovering at the desk, straight or gay.

Droneklax

Raffy
LOL!! I was also referring to a hotel in Ôsaka, between Shinsaibashi and Namba, so very close to the Kabuki theatre. It'd be too funny if it were the same.

It was a love hotel, though...

wcj1

Well, sometimes I'll just have my boyfriend sit on the sofa in the lobby while I check in. This is partially because he gets sleepy at night and since I always handle all the travel arrangements I have all the information. Also, I hate it when he stands there and they ask him if he needs help cause they don't realize that we are together. (Actually, do other couples get that?)

I do get occaisional confusion from hotel staff when requesting the king bed, but so far they just generally ask what we want for bedding and we haven't had anyone just switch it to 2 doubles without asking. I also agree that the higher-end properties tend to be less dense about it.

BillJ

Droneklax

Yep. Done that too. It's easier when the vibe of a place makes us feel that it's unlikely they would handle the situation smoothly. I'm all for avoiding drama.

Matthew Vandamm

Seeing this thread made me think of something funny that happened to me in Dallas.

I work for AA, and was sent on a training course last September, and decided to go a couple of days early, and enjoy Grapevine Mills for a day or so and do some early Christmas shopping.

I got a great deal on the Embassy Suites, and was ready to go, when they asked if I would take this guy named Robbie out with me, as he had just started and had never been on a long flight before, only European flights. Well he wanted to come out early as well, so it was decided.

No I should add at this point, that I am 24 and look it, and Robbie is 17 and doesn't! When we get to check-in, they asked if my son (!) would need his own key! When I looked back shocked and Robbies answered yes, but he is not my dad, the guy gave me the drop dead look!

When we got to the room, we saw why, we had a kingsize bed! When we went downstairs the guy looked at us, and when we explained, he seemed so relaxed/relieved, and actually said that he is always apprehensive when same-sex couples come in, as he is so worried that he will slip up and offend someone.

I was upset that he thought I was the father of a teenager! The years have not been kind, and nor was the flight from LGW!

Just thought I would share that.

wharvey

Matthew,

I can so totally understand your situation... unfortunately I get the "your son" comment also... and there are only 3 years difference between us... and he does not look THAT much younger!!!

William

GK

When travelling with partner - always check in together - as i used to get him to pay - maybe that's why i'm single again - when travelling with gay friend on adventures - get a king bed and make him sleep in (a) hotel lobby (b) the bath (c) some other man's place...

chipper

In Queenstown NZ we asked for just one bed and got it at a comfy bed and breakfast there. When we got to Te Anau, the room was two separate twin beds. We were too tired to change it for the single night we were there.

Most of the time I do the talking (status) and we get a king bed without problems. Depending on my mood, I may ask the boyfriend if he kicks in front of the desk agent.