Weird. I get welcome back at al the hotels I somewhat frequent. Most call me by my first name when rolling up to the desk. I'm relatively recognizable and stay at most of them once a month but still... nothing like your pattern.

Im positive several of the hotels discuss upcoming guests at the beginning of the shifts cause I get hello and greet by name from doormen and valet now and again. People I don't interact with.

Per the other discussion on stays. The ones I've been on in the past were al less than five stays a month. It highly depends on properties.

3 times a month at this property. However, it is LAX so there are a lot of people coming/going there so it is probably purely based on my stay pattern.

I stay at another property about the same each month and the recognition occurs when I am walking up to check-in (depending on the front desk agent).

I have not been asked for a photo. With that said, I stayed at the Park Hyatt in Sydney recently (my first visit) and they addressed me by my last name throughout the stay (walking up to check-in without knowing my arrival time, restaurant, around the hotel, etc.). They definitely did some research on me prior to my arrival (probably social media or other similar outlets).

Btw- I am not one of those DYKWIA type people or anyone relevant.

Crash, here's the funny thing. I started staying at that property when it was reflagged to Hyatt, before they started renovations (when it was still the Concourse). Only a few stays in the first year. A bit more as renovations progressed. In the last 6 months, it's been 4x/month average. I recognize most of the front desk clerks.

I pretty much order the same breakfast all of the time (eggs benedict), usually at ~6AM. Even the waiter that I've had for at least 20 times only recognizes me ~half the time. He's a thin older Hispanic gentleman with a moustache/greying hair (his name escapes me at the moment).

I'm just a frumpy, overweight middle aged businessman who doesn't do anything to stand out - I dress/look like your typical corporate widget and don't complain about anything. Completely forgettable. I suppose my coworkers won't even notice when I retire. I'm just slogging through life, one airport/hotel to another. Thank goodness my smart/beautiful wife is happy with a melba toast husband.

For anyone who's watched the movie, Lost In America, that would be us. 20 years older than the characters. Minus dropping out from society ala 'Easy Rider.' I'm an older Lost In America Albert Brooks. I suppose it's time to check off a few more bucket list items - I started to do that after 9/11 but pretty much stopped having one time adventures by 2005 or so.

Sounds like your waiter was Martin.

That sounds right.

I'm far from the top 50 at the Andaz 5th Avenue since I only stay there a couple of times a year but last year, they called before my arrival to chat about my room preference since we weren't very happy in a Splash suite. This year they asked if we wanted the same room which we did.

I'm a diamond but not a big spender. I don't know about the other Hyatts but the Andaz has the past stay records and notes available. They also choose to act on the information to improve satisfaction. Needless to say, I'm a fan and they are my first choice NY hotel.