Properties don't need to do this every day or at all times. It's enough of a deterrent for some scammer to be embarassed in front of the people he was trying to impress by getting them a freeloader muffin or somesuch.

The CL where they were doing this is larger than most, and has much more staff than most. There were probably five other people working the CL at breakfast, including someone behind the bar at all times, people clearing/cleaning tables and people restocking. It's also unique in that it's just above the lobby with a glass wall, making it noticeable to all guests.

And if people are bringing in a # of people who don't have legitimate access, the service goes down as well because they're having to clean up after a greater # of people. The difference between refills of food/drink & service when a lounge is overflowing & when it isn't is like night & day.

Also, there are times when staff has to work past their scheduled shift to do clean up because of the overflow, which results in increased payroll (although the lounge person might not mind that).

I've been at hotels many times during conferences when someone has access to the lounge & brings all their non-access co-workers in, they pull tables together, & proceed to eat/drink like they've never seen food or booze before, and/or decide to save on their expense reports by making the the lounge food/booze their meal & who stay there for a long time. It's not pleasant for other guests & the lounge attendants are run ragged.

And while I have no idea if the folk who aren't allowed in will eat at the restaurant or head to the bar, I do think that if you have several less people in the lounge the cost of F&B for the lounge will go down because they don't have to supply as much if only those who legit have access are allowed in.

I guess I'm perplexed by you thinking it's ok to allow everyone & their brother/pals in when you've complained about it in other threads

Cheers.

They could really lower costs and increase revenue by getting rid of lounges and elite status. This is my great hope for the future.

Or they could lose revenue when the elites go to other chains that still offer lounges & elite status I wouldn't hold your breath on your great hope for the future...

Cheers.

Personally, I tire of mass market elites, as oxymoronic as that seems, perpetually aspiring to police lounge access.

Perhaps they should form a volunteer unit akin to the Minuteman movement to police the hotel lounges during their stays.

If that were the case, the CLs would be gone already.

If you look over in the Marriott Insiders site, you'll find many people who already think they are members of this squad.

This thread here and it seems that way in the lounge police

I have more of an issue with lounge dragons (go read some of those Admirals club threads on the AA board) than I do overcrowding.

Its already bad enough getting stuff restocked even when the lounge is not busy. Take away another person from doing actual productive work and the place will be even worse service.

Everything has a cost, they aren't going to do this for free. They will recoup the cost somehow. Even if they have to cut a choice in the offerings, cut back on the hours, maybe not be as flexible giving out B/F coupons or sticking to the rules to save a little dough. It comes out of one pocket instead of the other, someway some how

People at both FS Marriotts in Niagara Falls (Canadian side) told me that entry coupons (for 1+guest) are supposed to become a standard for lounge access. We'll see.

And you know this how? I generally travel with a team. My organization tends to stay at Marriott when possible, so all are gold at a minimum within a year of employment. If you saw me holding the door open for seven of my colleagues before entering, would you assume I am bringing the feared "non-access co-workers" in to drink alcohol that would be cheaper in the bar and eat a few dollars worth of chips, cheese, and veggies. In addition, each is allowed a guest, so even if 4 of the 8 are gold, it is good. We pull tables together and stay for some time. Is there a rule about that? I suppose we could each sit at a different table and take up half the tables .... I also travel with with another organization and those that do not have status. I try not to let it be known that I do to avoid problems.

ETA -- I do not mind them checking names at the entrance of the lounge. Or, having a sign in sheet.

As has already been mentioned, the hotel that was doing this had not taken a person away from tending to the lounge to check IDs. They brought in an employee to do this. The CL had at least five people restocking, pouring drinks and cleaning/busing. The lounge was well stocked and spotless.

The people who run the hotel and have privy to the actual numbers believe it was cost effective to bring someone in to check the names.

I've both witnessed coworkers doing this with other non-status coworkers and been in a CL where the attendant was apologizing for this happening and trying to get guidance from the hotel management on how to handle the situation. (Was later told they told them to leave or pay.)

If the lounge thinks their mission is service, they will provide good service. If they think their mission is aggressive policing, they will prioritize the aggressive attitude.

I don't mind someone politely asking for room number or whatever data they need, but I've found that too many people put in the role of gatekeeper like the authority they feel they have.

The JW Marriott Hong Kong has excellent service AND excellent policing.

It also offers more food than many full service restaurants and free alcohol.

and there is a cost for that EXTRA person to be there to the hotel. That person probably had other duties assigned that now have to be done by someone else or if this person was brought in just to be a lounge dragon then they are still an extra cost

two things

I do believe this thread was about domestic lounges doing the lounge dragon thing and

you will find exceptions to every rule. On that note, this is just a cost that the JW has already put into their operations

if that person wasn't there (dragon) then they would either not be working or be doing something else. Its not free