At check-in, as Gold, I was given a key card with no mention of lounge access. I then asked whether any executive rooms were available (knowing that there were). She said that they had only one and it was undergoing repairs.

What do you make of this? Even now, in my room, the website is willing to give me 9 Twin Executive rooms (I didn't check beyond that #). My original booking was for a king bed, so perhaps they use that as an excuse not to put me in a twin executive and thereby deny lounge access?

I asked whether that means I don't get lounge access. She said that my booking doesn't allow me lounge access as a gold member, but then grudgingly gave me lounge access anyway (while staying in the same base room I booked). She said it was a one-time exception.

Update: After a little research, I now understand that it's up to each property to decide what kind of "preferred" upgrade to give gold members. Although many properties do give exec upgrades (that has almost always been my experience), they don't have to do so, even if it's available. Maybe this is one of those properties that don't.

Update to my update: Being curious, I called the front desk and he explained that Golds are in fact upgraded to executive rooms, if available. He said that the front desk person who checked me in perhaps just assumed (unreasonably and without asking) that I would prefer a king bed regular room to a twin executive room. He was very apologetic and tried to make up for it.

Lounge report: It's a nice-looking lounge, even though it's on the 4th floor, without much of a view. The spread was visually impressive, with salad bar, breads, cheeses, noodles, soup, veggies, sushi, and some desserts. There wasn't anything I really liked (making me feel silly for worrying so much about lounge access), but it probably depends on your tastes.