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Originally Posted by Mr. Vker
(Post 22061119)
That's exactly a conversation my wife and I had. No way to know. I do know they were not allowing non-club rooms to buy club access. That indicates to me they were near capacity. Very possible the hotel was not at fault at all. Likely in fact. I just don't think the lounge is a place to park a party of 5, 6 or 8 for 3 plus hours. Several groups did this. Again, the hotel can't stop it. Just think its rude as it prevents other guests' use.
Originally Posted by bdschobel
(Post 22061144)
In my experience, lots and lots of high-level elite guests (including myself) travel over New Year's Eve. Many hotels, such as the JW Marriott Copacabana in Rio, where I am now, have way more elite guests than their relatively small lounges can hold. In Rio, they allowed elite guests to get breakfast for free in the restaurant during December 28 - January 1. I was told that 80 rooms had lounge access, far above the lounge's capacity.
Bruce My guess is next Tuesday night, it won't be this bad. |
Originally Posted by TrojanHorse
(Post 22061358)
See you and others on this thread agree that its not the place to park a party of 5-8 people. A lot of people (just read this thread and the instances it occurs) think that it is ok to do that. As we all know there is no policy against doing this. My guess is that Marriott (and Ritz it looks like) have no issue with this. It's going to happen and the only way to get around a vulture is to be a more aggressive vulture. Hey I watch animal planet!!!!
I would agree here, its expensive NYE in many places, the heavy travelers can use however many points that they need or if they pay, due to their heavy travel have lounge access. These people travel with others whether it be families, friends etc. Its just a much higher traffic day. Its just one of those days people have to suck it up along with a few other days a year. My guess is next Tuesday night, it won't be this bad. |
Originally Posted by bdschobel
(Post 22061144)
In my experience, lots and lots of high-level elite guests (including myself) travel over New Year's Eve. Many hotels, such as the JW Marriott Copacabana in Rio, where I am now, have way more elite guests than their relatively small lounges can hold. In Rio, they allowed elite guests to get breakfast for free in the restaurant during December 28 - January 1. I was told that 80 rooms had lounge access, far above the lounge's capacity.
Bruce Lounge access is a little different at the Ritz. Paid only. Full service Marriotts could, in theory, end up with a building full of people eligible for lounge access by virtue of being Gold or Platinum. Ritz is capacity controlled. But, cannot control people just staying there all day. Plus--and this is JUST me speaking--lounge access has to be paid for the 3rd and 4th guest in each room. If you are on the Club level, that's easy to regulate. But, if you paid for access, more difficult. There are SO many kids here. I just find it difficult to think they paid for everyone. Also possible they are bringing in friends. ANYWAY, breakfast was much quieter. This is a great property. We had a nice stay all-in-all. We really did. You make your own good times. Don't dwell on the negative. It was a festive time, after all! |
Originally Posted by Mr. Vker
(Post 22061405)
Lounge access is a little different at the Ritz. Paid only. Full service Marriotts could, in theory, end up with a building full of people eligible for lounge access by virtue of being Gold or Platinum.
I understand the rules of access at a Marriott and with that comes the realization that there may be times/locations where the lounges will get really crowded. But if I'm paying $100/night or more for that lounge access and I know that only those who directly "pay" should be getting in (rather than all Gold/Plat elites as well), my "expectations" do change just a bit. ;) |
It's not just the Ritz that experiences these issues. We were at the JW Marriott San Francisco last week. The lounge was slammed. Most of the overload was vacationing families. The worst part of that was the expectation by them that tables would be cleared by the staff. We had to wait a while for a table while the host cleared off the mess left by two teenagers. They had filled up a table for 4 with tons of dishes and glasses. Given the amount of the mess, I'm assuming that the parents had left without clearing their own crap. The lounge doesn't have bus boys. The poor host was forced to deal with clearing tables instead of making sure food was out and coffee machines had beans, etc.
I've also been in Ritz Carlton clubs where tweens were grazing directly from the offerings and old dudes were walking around in robes. I think the impact is effectively multiplied by the number of people who vacation around the holidays. We usually only travel around Christmas every other year. I'm starting to wonder if we should do it at all. As I'm writing this, I'm thinking of the tween girl who was jumping up and down in the JW's hotel elevator as high as she could while being ignored by her parents. She is my poster child for bad behavior and uncaring parents. |
Originally Posted by GeorgeBurdell
(Post 22075436)
It's not just the Ritz that experiences these issues. We were at the JW Marriott San Francisco last week. The lounge was slammed. Most of the overload was vacationing families. The worst part of that was the expectation by them that tables would be cleared by the staff. We had to wait a while for a table while the host cleared off the mess left by two teenagers. They had filled up a table for 4 with tons of dishes and glasses. Given the amount of the mess, I'm assuming that the parents had left without clearing their own crap. The lounge doesn't have bus boys. The poor host was forced to deal with clearing tables instead of making sure food was out and coffee machines had beans, etc.
I've also been in Ritz Carlton clubs where tweens were grazing directly from the offerings and old dudes were walking around in robes. I think the impact is effectively multiplied by the number of people who vacation around the holidays. We usually only travel around Christmas every other year. I'm starting to wonder if we should do it at all. As I'm writing this, I'm thinking of the tween girl who was jumping up and down in the JW's hotel elevator as high as she could while being ignored by her parents. She is my poster child for bad behavior and uncaring parents. Re the jumper in elevator my personal theory is that parents allow such behavior outside the house because they restrict it in their own houses ! Sort of let them get rid of their energy at "others expense". |
Originally Posted by GeorgeBurdell
(Post 22075436)
It's not just the Ritz that experiences these issues. We were at the JW Marriott San Francisco last week. The lounge was slammed. Most of the overload was vacationing families. The worst part of that was the expectation by them that tables would be cleared by the staff. We had to wait a while for a table while the host cleared off the mess left by two teenagers. They had filled up a table for 4 with tons of dishes and glasses. Given the amount of the mess, I'm assuming that the parents had left without clearing their own crap. The lounge doesn't have bus boys. The poor host was forced to deal with clearing tables instead of making sure food was out and coffee machines had beans, etc.
I've also been in Ritz Carlton clubs where tweens were grazing directly from the offerings and old dudes were walking around in robes. I think the impact is effectively multiplied by the number of people who vacation around the holidays. We usually only travel around Christmas every other year. I'm starting to wonder if we should do it at all. As I'm writing this, I'm thinking of the tween girl who was jumping up and down in the JW's hotel elevator as high as she could while being ignored by her parents. She is my poster child for bad behavior and uncaring parents. |
Originally Posted by joshua362
(Post 22075742)
I was there for a week last New Years and echo what was going on. I think the RC thing is a different animal as people pay up (especially around the holidays) for lounge access ($100+/night?) and are determined to get their monies worth. I know I would from an alcohol standpoint...
I probably would too, feast, drink and do it all again |
Originally Posted by Mr. Vker
(Post 22059479)
We are at the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City tonight Club level. WOW what a zoo. I know its a busy night, but people are abusing access more than I have ever seen.
The women are working their bottoms off. Hors D'Oeuvres were set out at 5pm. Parties of 8+ camped out for 3 plus hours literally clearing the food as quickly as it could be placed. We had to get food directly from the hostesses and take it to the room to eat. Drinks the same way. Kids running everywhere. Not a seat to be had for a solid 4 plus hours. |
Originally Posted by fliesdelta
(Post 22079221)
I keep thinking doing a John Belushi and sit down with them and ask "the wimmin'... how much for the wimmin'" might help the situation, maybe.
Lounge clears out as the fight starts You are taken to ER !:mad: All of you barred permanantly A woman may name a price that you cannot aford ;) An offer to swap ;) So on and so forth...... |
Originally Posted by bdschobel
(Post 22061144)
In my experience, lots and lots of high-level elite guests (including myself) travel over New Year's Eve. Many hotels, such as the JW Marriott Copacabana in Rio, where I am now, have way more elite guests than their relatively small lounges can hold. In Rio, they allowed elite guests to get breakfast for free in the restaurant during December 28 - January 1. I was told that 80 rooms had lounge access, far above the lounge's capacity.
Bruce Get down to the Leeds Marriott in UK. I've just returned from there on a family reunion, where we had the lounge to ourselves as I was, it seems, the only elite staying! And I'm pleased to report the weather was a heady mixture of sqaully showers and sleet, overcast, grey and never once above 10celcius! |
Originally Posted by BrightlyBob
(Post 22082573)
A tip for all you out there suffering extreme lounge overcrowding in Rio…
Get down to the Leeds Marriott in UK. I've just returned from there on a family reunion, where we had the lounge to ourselves as I was, it seems, the only elite staying! And I'm pleased to report the weather was a heady mixture of sqaully showers and sleet, overcast, grey and never once above 10celcius! |
San Juan Marriott's solution...
San Juan Marriott's solution... Thought I would pass this along, pretty funny.
I sent my 70+ year old parents to the San Juan Marriott for 5 nights as a birthday present last week. The absolutely loved it and the hotel was kind enough to extend my PP status to them with a modest upgrade and lounge (penthouse) access which included complementary alcohol in the evening. They reported that the lounge was quiet and mellow all week, food was great, met some nice people including the attendants. But they were told the lounge would be closing the Friday before President's Day for the entire week and come Friday morning, their last day, a huge sign stated so. The reason? Being overrun by vacationing kids. My mother said come Friday morning's breakfast, it was an absolute zoo. Apparently the hotel goes through this every year and decides to shutter the doors. Pretty unique solution although I'd be pissed if I was staying that week. So where are those well behaved kids? ;) |
Today at the LI Marriott (Uniondale, NY) I saw the CL attendant put a $1 bill on the used dish collection tray as a "hint." Eh, no.
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Originally Posted by wxguy
(Post 23135997)
Today at the LI Marriott (Uniondale, NY) I saw the CL attendant put a $1 bill on the used dish collection tray as a "hint." Eh, no.
If they provide great service why not show your appreciation, so they continue to provide it? |
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