Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
USA lounges almost expect people to remove water, etc. They also provide "to go" cups for coffee and tea. In fact, in some hotels, it would be impossible for everyone to get breakfast if it had to be consumed sitting in the lounge as lounges aren't large enough for the numbers of guests with lounge access.
I never understood something, is it a common misconception?
Before staying at hotels with status and all that, I always thought a club lounge is a place for short business meetings/signing a contract etc. It's a quiet place to meet with business acquaintance, since bringing him/her to your room would be inappropriate. Inviting your guest to the lounge instead of the lobby cafe would show importance of the meeting. A benefit that comes with elite status without paying for a club room or booking the business center.
Even Sheraton Club advertise itself as a space to meet. Contradicting with SPG and hotel policies, which limits access to staying guests. If in-house guests wanted to meet, wouldn't they do exactly that in their rooms?
Did it begin when lounges started offering food and sometimes even a buffet?