And if people are bringing in a # of people who don't have legitimate access, the service goes down as well because they're having to clean up after a greater # of people. The difference between refills of food/drink & service when a lounge is overflowing & when it isn't is like night & day.

Also, there are times when staff has to work past their scheduled shift to do clean up because of the overflow, which results in increased payroll (although the lounge person might not mind that).

I've been at hotels many times during conferences when someone has access to the lounge & brings all their non-access co-workers in, they pull tables together, & proceed to eat/drink like they've never seen food or booze before, and/or decide to save on their expense reports by making the the lounge food/booze their meal & who stay there for a long time. It's not pleasant for other guests & the lounge attendants are run ragged.

And while I have no idea if the folk who aren't allowed in will eat at the restaurant or head to the bar, I do think that if you have several less people in the lounge the cost of F&B for the lounge will go down because they don't have to supply as much if only those who legit have access are allowed in.

I guess I'm perplexed by you thinking it's ok to allow everyone & their brother/pals in when you've complained about it in other threads

Cheers.