+1. You have a very good point. This is especially true in the United States. Our society has become ridiculously litigious. In some other countries, rules are strictly enforced because of societal norms with the result being that there is less fear of litigation or bad publicity. In Australia, I have seen families being told to leave a Sheraton lounge because they brought their toddlers in with them during happy hour. The lounge attendant DID allow them to scoop up a few plates of food and several drinks before they left, however.

Yes, you are entitled to your opinion. I'm sure there are also people who have the opinion that a lot of CL overcrowding would be solved by only allowing complimentary access to Plats and above...

But earlier you said this, implying that there actually were uniform CL rules that Marriott just chose not to enforce, which is not the case. I and I'm sure most other people would follow the rules if there were any, but for the most part there are not so you have no reason to be upset because people don't dress the way you want them to in order to grab breakfast or a few snacks.

Not suprisingly this topic is much like a Ford vs Chevy debate. You'll never get consensus.

The only thing I'd add to this is lounges tend to have a vibe too them. Some are more vacationer heavy. Some are the yuppy/trendy type. Some tend to have a formal feel too them. The "local vibe" is part of this whole thing too. Even timing of the day makes a difference.

And to those who seem to want the lounge to be some kind of exclusive yuppy lounge where everyone has an open collar button down shirt with a sport coat, that's not going to work..... Go join a private club or golf course.

The problem is that for the most part Marriott has no rules to enforce. My earlier point is that Marriott corporate provides no vision or standards that are communicated to guests (or employees apparently) regarding dress or behavior in the lounge. If Marriott had a simple set of rules for behavior and dress then most people will follow them. I don't think a celebrity is going to get much mileage for being kicked out of a lounge for wearing a bathrobe or for smoking if the rules say no bathrobes and no smoking.

The confusion seems to arise from some guests regarding the lounge as a private living room as if it were attached to their room, thus they deem that most any grooming, dress or behavior is okay.

My view is that Marriott concierge lounges are public spaces in mid-level to upscale hotels and management needs to set a tone that is appropriate to the level of the hotels.

Well said.

Confused here... I'll be there next weekend. So there are no classy folks there or they all are? Well, I guess it doesn't matter since the CL will be closed so I don't have to see folks in pj's. ;)

Hmm. I've stayed in the JW Houston before and didn't notice anything. Might the poster have been offended when my extended, non-elite pajama clad family, on the way back from a two hour smoke/run, stopped by the CL for a quick sit-down, sea shanty singalong breakfast and five generation clog dance?

Seriously, never been a fan of the hotel, and the CL is often crowded, but I've never witnessed anything unusually offensive in that lounge. OT: My problem with the hotel is it's expensive and I'm usually checking in late and leaving in the morning. If I were staying for longer, it might be worth paying for the hotel.

Then I never will !
Thanks

I won't even wear a bathrobe to go down the hall to get ice. I'd be afraid someone would think I'm Chester the Molester with nothing on underneath. :eek:

Anyway, here's one of my recent experiences- I was having some snacks in a Lounge when some people come in with an ~8 year old in tow, carrying a violin. The lounge attendant asks the kid if he can play, to which the kids proceeds to screech out what might have been Oh Holy Night. After that was over, she encouraged the kid to an encore. And then another. :eek::rolleyes:

Needless to say, I bailed with my plate of cheese and salami slices. :D At least there weren't any other guests in there.


I'd be inclined pre-empt the slob celeb and post their pic somewhere on the interwebz.

You bet your ascot, they should! :D

20 pages of whether or not I should wear sweats to the CL?

I guess I can see that point of view. One time, I was in the lounge, trying to enjoy my cheese, stale crackers, slightly-less-than-fresh fruit, and slightly-more-than-dry chicken skewer when this unkempt minger comes in wearing pajama bottoms and a t-shirt. It was so distracting that I could barely finish my cheese, stale crackers, slightly-less-than-fresh fruit, and slightly-more-than-dry chicken skewer. It really was horrible. I mean, how could anyone be expected to spend quality time in the lounge with all of that distraction?

The dude in the pajamas was fine, it was the huffing, sighing, and sound clutched pearls from the uptight busybody sitting across from me that distracted me from my enjoyment of the cheese, stale crackers, slightly-less-than-fresh fruit, and slightly-more-than-dry chicken skewer.

This is probably more of an “agree to disagree” topic rather than a “can’t we all get along” topic. Some of you may wish the CL was a professional and smartly attired gathering place, but wishing for it to be true does not make it a reality.

I don’t think anyone is arguing that it is OK for people to sweat on my food, on me, or on the seats, but that is generally true everywhere, not just the CL. As long as your naughty bits aren’t hanging out, I don’t really care of your pants are of the finest wool and have a fresh crease or if they are cotton PJs with jaunty little sail boats on them.

Meanwhile, I’ll happily haul my sweat-bottoms, sneakers, and t-shirt wearing self down to the Concierge Lounge (which I guess could imply lounge-wear would be appropriate…since it is not named the Concierge Business-Casual Gathering Place), grab a couple of sodas, a bottle of water, and a plate of food to take back to my room, so as to not distract the sophisticated people for too long with my slovenly attire.

Also, let me preemptively apologize to you folks sitting next to me in a long-haul trans-ocean first class cabin. I’m likely to be in sweat bottoms, sneakers, and a t-shirt there too.

To me, this is an appeal of the lounge. A non commercial, laid back place where people can interact without formality or feeling like they're being squeezed for every nickel while the staff wrangle for the most tips. Sort of the antithesis of what happens 11 floors below. If you get treated to some impromptu music while eating your over dried chicken skewers, even better!

And for the record, I was treated to a younger man visiting the CL at the JW Marriott SF New Years Day about noon, looking for ice, in his robe and slippers. I thought it was hysterical. I'm not going to do it no matter how hungover but I didn't judge. And the lounge attendant promptly prepared a bag of ice out the kitchen for him. As he passed, I said "That's Classic" and he simply smiled...

This is silly. If there are clearly articulated rules, they should be uniformly enforced for all, celebrity/VIP or not.

Excellent thread.

AAAAAA++++++++++

Would read again.

Z...

Just make sure before retiring for the night to get those ZZZZs that you don't wear your PJs to the lounge to grab any milk and cookies and take them back to the room with you:p

I just needed 1 more night for the winter bonus and I'm from Houston so typically at home. $139/night ain't too bad plus they have a heated indoor/outdoor pool for the kids to play in. Already spoke with the Room Controller, yes, that's her official title, and the suite is lined up.