Originally Posted by DoubleJ
The numbers 4 (death) as well as 9 (pain) are missing from various items and places in Japan as well. I'm curious as to why the HGI in San Mateo would be missing the fourth floor. Large Asian population (and therefore clientele) in the area?
There is a significant Asian population on the San Francisco Peninsula. I remember that there was a big influx from Hong Kong during the 1980s. I think I heard the front desk guy might have said "the owner thinks it's bad luck." Perhaps the hotel is owned by a Chinese-American and doesn't want to jinx his investment.