No, you are definitely not. What passed for acceptable public behavior is far different from not too long ago and these types of interactions are sadly becoming more commonplace. Call me horribly old fashioned but I don't see it as too much to ask that certain etiquette be observed at certain places or at certain times. Just MHO and YMMV.

As to what the staff should do that's a thorny dilemma as they have to walk the line between trying to enforce some decorum to guests who feel they've paid enough to do and wear whatever they please. However minimum standards should be more encouraged if not rigidly enforced.

I agree, and I sympathise with the staff who probably also agree with me but are not prepared to have a confrontation. I mentioned it today at the lovely lady who was checking room numbers at the door, and she shrugged her shoulders and said that she cannot believe how people think it is acceptable to walk through the public areas in their pyjamas, and that sadly some people do take liberties.

I suppose it is just the changing world. Sad but inevitable.

Everything you say makes sense, but I'm wondering what people think should be done when there is offensive behavior. Do you bring it to the attention of the Concierge? The hotel manager? Marriott?

Personally, this isn't a huge issue to me. Everyone thinks the CL is whatever suits them at that moment. It's a businessperson's convenience. It's a family gathering place. It's a place to watch a game with other guests. But what is the best way to handle absolutely egregious behavior?

I recently watched the Brady Bunch episode where they go to Hawaii. All the boys were wearing suits for the flight. Alice would have flipped her apron if anyone had gotten on the flight in pajamas, which we've all seen.

I've brought it to the attention of the lounge attendant/concierge when someone has walked into the lounge in a hotel bathrobe. They (politely) said to the offender that there was a dress code & unfortunately bathrobes, PJs, etc, were not on the list.

I've also seen attendants deal w/ those who try to take everything but the kitchen sink back to their room, reminding them that a bit of food/drink for one's personal consumption is ok but not everything/basically wiping out the food supply.

It's always going to depend on the attendant, their training, management's view.

FWIW - this topic has come up before. I've got to go wrap Xmas presents but someone else might be able to do a search & find it. It's a long thread IIRC.

Cheers.

Only if we (the collective "we") allow it to. Unfortunately, I'm usually among the silent, stewing crowd who would watch a woman in pajamas fill a baby stroller to overflowing with food and accoutrements from the CL rather than risk an ugly confrontation.

I don't think it would take too many instances, though, of someone in authority (be it a lounge attendant, manager, etc.) enforcing basic standards of decorum before people would shape up. Of course there will be the shrill DYKWIA behavior and loud escalation to senior management who, if the world was perfect, would completely back their staff and the policy even at the risk of losing the business of those who abuse the system. But again, after the whiny tantrum doesn't work a couple of times, I suspect these people will either stop it or take their business elsewhere where the infantile behavior works. Either way, Marriott would have more pleasant lounges.

Agree with the OP. It's not only about lounge etiquette but also about manners. I expect people to be at least dressed when coming to the lounge.
I also think they are giving lounge access to anyone really with the United RewardPlus partnership, gold and platinums,... Lounge access should be a little more limited.

My long runs are 2+ hours and I like my water cold when I am back from the run. I am "business people" and I do have shorts/shirt/shoes, heck, in the winter I even have tights and jacket. Not like I go there naked. In general fresh sweat really doesn't smell and I make sure I don't drip or sit down somewhere.

Anyways, I've had discussions about this with concierge and managers and haven't met any that said negative about it.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...ge-lounge.html ?

They are for people who either (1) spend a lot at that hotel on that stay (Executive Level rooms, suites) or (2) spend a lot with that chain (elite status). That's clear from their admission terms.

Often, those have a high correlation with business people. But they're not the same. When traveling on business, taking a regular room, and not having high status, I do not get lounge access. When traveling personally, with high status, I do get lounge access. Therefore, status is more important to the hotel in granting lounge access than "traveling on business".

The days they're open correlates with the days that people are most likely paying more. If the hotel found high-payers filled their Executive Level on Saturdays, the lounge would be open Saturdays.

And it's been decades since I've seen a First Class cabin with a dress code.

I also agree with the OP. A CL is a public space, not the private living room of a guest, and one should exercise some manners there. This includes dressing properly, not entering it all sweaty (want cold water? Get it in your room), and acting like the buffet is your own, and just not placed inside your own room to safe you from the smell of the food.

With this kind of behavior I start to understand why lounges get more and more catered with cheap .... stuff.

OTOH, if instead of raiding the food and returning to her own room or suite, the push chair woman had come to the lounge with a smelly screaming baby that needed a diaper change, OP would complain about that too. To visit the lounge briefly with just the stroller might well have been the most considerate thing the woman could have done short of staying home.

A Timely Bump for a Pile-On
 

Thank you, Sir. Tonight I'm at the LHR Marriott after a few days visiting family in London & finishing up here so no one has to drive me out here early tomorrow. Boxing Day on public transit is easy from this property, not so much from central London.

I'll do a more detailed property review on the LHR properties string but the Lounge topic will be a major part of it. This location has a combo of business and airline layover traffic most of the time, and I've liked it on every stay.

But - this evening the Lounge was chaotic shortly after opening for evening snacks at 1800. It's not that big and on the main floor. Maybe 40 seats total. An extended family - I counted 23 - including minors as young as 6 had absorbed half the floor space. Kids were pawing the canapés and crudités & running around everywhere, the adults had let their pals in (obviously locals not guests), and it was "If you're pouring I'm drinking" for the jabbering adults. There were shopping bags everywhere, and the adults were boozed up, but at least there were no intra-family scuffles. These slobs had dragged tables and chairs grouped together in such a way that it was impossible to get to the back room. A couple of quiet, but annoyed guys were about to confront them.

I took one look and exited. There was a frazzled young female Lounge employee who looked confused. So I suggested to the FD that they get in there and do something. When I returned 30 minutes later, all was quiet. The Lounge manager had someone cleaning up the detritus, including spilled beverages and what 6-8 year-olds do everywhere - leave half what they take on the floor.

Don't know if my discussion led to their exit, but he told me they had been bounced and that the ringleaders were not elites but had 2 rooms on the 5th Floor, and that ~ no more than 4 guests.

Just when things were normal, an idiot with his rank-a$$ PT gear showed up and put his sweaty rear end on one of the fabric seats. The same Lounge manager told him his attire was inappropriate.

All in all, decent responses, one time-late for the slob group, one immediately for the gym guy from those Marriott associates empowered to handle it. They should not have had to deal with the clueless oblivions among us - but they are everywhere.

I agree. It is sad, and while I wish it were not inevitable, attire everywhere seems to be on the decline. Wearing pajamas on a plane is a bigger pet peeve of mine.

I can see the argument against sweaty workout gear (keyword being sweaty), but who cares if people are wearing pajamas? It's the Concierge Lounge, not the Concierge Office Building. Especially if people are on vacation (and maybe even if they're traveling for business), it's often easier to eat breakfast before getting fully dressed just in case you happen to get some food on your clothes.