Hilton Athens {GRC}
Dec 6, 2009, 10:04 am
#226
Join Date: Jan 2002
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott lifetime Plt, UA 1MM
Posts: 919
I have seen "take away" containers for coffee in the morning (i.e. paper cups). But apart from that the rule in all the lounges I have used both here and outside the US is eat or consume in the lounge. You don't expect Hilton to condone guests loading up on food and beverage and hauling it off. I personally would applaud a "lounge dragon" who enforces the rule. I'm not talking about the .50 cent bottle of water here. I have seen guests haul off half a dozen bottles of beer and snacks. The lounge is not your personal larder to be raided. If it is treated that way don't complain when the offerings diminish or at the extreme the lounge benefit be eliminated all together, as it already has in many US Hiltons.
Dec 6, 2009, 10:24 am
#228
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,828
Dec 6, 2009, 11:39 am
#229
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH diamond
Posts: 2,646
I've seen people really load up dishes (usually 2 or 3) and attempt to walk out with them. Thankfully they were stopped. What's appalling is frequently these people argue with the attendants! Just plain rude!
I've NEVER seen takeaway containers! The EL is not a carry out shop!
Dec 6, 2009, 11:48 am
#230
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,497
I´ve seen similar signage at nearly every hotel and airport lounge I´ve been in also. Just finished a stay at the Berlin Hilton, and there was a sign near the entry with nearly identical verbiage.
Dec 6, 2009, 6:21 pm
#231
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 516
I'll have to pay more attention next time.
I've never noticed the signs so I never knew it was an issue (taking food out)
As for the takeaway containers, Im not saying they are right out in the open.
But I've been in a few lounges where I've asked the clerk if they had containers (so I can take breakfast to work) and they always pulled out those styrofoam containers for me to use.
I've never noticed the signs so I never knew it was an issue (taking food out)
As for the takeaway containers, Im not saying they are right out in the open.
But I've been in a few lounges where I've asked the clerk if they had containers (so I can take breakfast to work) and they always pulled out those styrofoam containers for me to use.
Dec 7, 2009, 11:00 am
#232
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: BAEC G, WN A-, Hyatt G, HH G, MAR T, Hz PC, was [UA2P, FL A+Elite, BD G]
Posts: 2,276
At the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, no food or drink out of the lounge is strictly enforced. For that matter, the one time I went to one of their refrigerators to grab a can of Bitter Lemon to drink, the staff practically demanded to take the can from me and serve it in a glass! OTOH, Hilton ATL Airport never seems to mind taking cans of soda back to the room.
Dec 11, 2009, 5:33 pm
#233
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Agreed. As others have said, some of us have witnessed numbers of (usually children "under supervision" removing provisions, and for one, I'd not be interested in seeing someone bring in their durian or "old" kimchi for consumption to a lounge.
If we can't spend the time in the lounge to consume what we are getting, maybe it's time to visit a convenience store.
Seriously, some properties are more flexible, but most I'm aware of do not allow guests to remove drinks and food.
If we can't spend the time in the lounge to consume what we are getting, maybe it's time to visit a convenience store.
Seriously, some properties are more flexible, but most I'm aware of do not allow guests to remove drinks and food. I like both rules. I hate the idea of people taking out drinks and food to feed their full hockey team not staying on executive floor and I hate the idea of people taking in smelly pizzas to avoid having to pay extra for their drinks. You would not take you smelly pizza bought outside to a restaurant, so why should you do it in a lounge?
Dec 11, 2009, 8:32 pm
#234
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: The Dakotas
Posts: 608
I don't mind this rule at all as I think it ensures that the executive lounge feature remains at properties and is not such a drain that hotels instead choose to not offer them. I have seen a couple of exceptions--paper cups/lids provide for coffee to be taken from the lounge (much appreciated) and a (non-Hilton) Disney concierge lounge actually encouraging lounge patrons to take water to have for use in the parks.
Dec 18, 2009, 10:55 pm
#235
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: LH SEN, FB Plat., HH D.
Posts: 5,050
A few days ago when checking in at the Hilton Budapest they gave me a letter with the lounge opening hours, facilities,... and it mentioned "please do not take food out of the lounge".
One night, on my way back to the room I grabbed a banana and asked the staff if it was OK to take it, and the lady said "of course, no problem".
I imagine that if you take plates full of food + drinks, it is very different but for 1/2 soda I am surprised they said anything.
One night, on my way back to the room I grabbed a banana and asked the staff if it was OK to take it, and the lady said "of course, no problem".
I imagine that if you take plates full of food + drinks, it is very different but for 1/2 soda I am surprised they said anything.
Dec 19, 2009, 4:46 pm
#237
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,353
This is a general rule at pretty much every chain that I know of that has executive lounges, Hilton's, Sheratons, Hyatts, etc. Enforcement is another matter, and even at lounges where they enforce strictly, if I have asked no one has ever objected to my son taking his drink with him back to the room. I also know of some lounges that do not care so much if you grab a breakfast item or two to take with you, but will be incredibly strict with night time food(s).
Dec 19, 2009, 11:29 pm
#238
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA, UA, DL,
Posts: 588
Hello FTers,
Actually I think the "no outside food allowed" makes sense. Let's suppose I buy something at McDonalds..... Well, I have a choice to eat it at McDonalds, I have a choice to eat outside of McDonalds, I have a choice to eat in my room.
Whereas staff has gone through a lot of trouble to order the food, cook the food, prepare the food, present the food, have the necessary plates and utensils ready for the clients to enjoy the food....and the club lounge would be the only "restaurant" for the clients to enjoy this food.
Can you imagine if you walked into the club lounge ready for breakfast and the lounge is full of people with their McBreakfasts! Take it outside, people!
So.... I think the "no outside food" allowed makes sense.
Your opinions may vary.
David
Actually I think the "no outside food allowed" makes sense. Let's suppose I buy something at McDonalds..... Well, I have a choice to eat it at McDonalds, I have a choice to eat outside of McDonalds, I have a choice to eat in my room.
Whereas staff has gone through a lot of trouble to order the food, cook the food, prepare the food, present the food, have the necessary plates and utensils ready for the clients to enjoy the food....and the club lounge would be the only "restaurant" for the clients to enjoy this food.
Can you imagine if you walked into the club lounge ready for breakfast and the lounge is full of people with their McBreakfasts! Take it outside, people!
So.... I think the "no outside food" allowed makes sense.
Your opinions may vary.
David
Dec 20, 2009, 5:15 am
#239
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: Various airline, hotel and credit card programs
Posts: 1,903
I like both rules. I hate the idea of people taking out drinks and food to feed their full hockey team not staying on executive floor and I hate the idea of people taking in smelly pizzas to avoid having to pay extra for their drinks. You would not take you smelly pizza bought outside to a restaurant, so why should you do it in a lounge?
Now I wish those rules, especially the first one, were firmly enforced!
Dec 20, 2009, 6:03 pm
#240
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: CMI
Programs: AA EXP & 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz GLD
Posts: 954
Wow,
I learn new things every day. I pretty much always hit the lounge upon arrival - grab 2 diet cokes and once in a while a snack (chips?) and head straight to my room - to relax and unwind for a minute or two...
I've seen the signs...just never thought they applied to anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Keep the faith,
Pakse
I learn new things every day. I pretty much always hit the lounge upon arrival - grab 2 diet cokes and once in a while a snack (chips?) and head straight to my room - to relax and unwind for a minute or two...
I've seen the signs...just never thought they applied to anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Keep the faith,
Pakse