OneWorldTraveller

Thanks Guys for the feedback.

The reservation is made for two. The issue is they don't ask marriage certificate, but at least if we go to the lounge with the same gender, they would block to ask more detail.

My impression is this is mainly targeted to local Korean people. Usually, Korean is very shy to say in English, so they would not interrupt Western people. I've heard there have been some abuses for the elite benefits e.g. bring friend "A" for happy hour, "B" for breakfast, "C" for Sauna. I guess this might be the reason they clearly defined only spouse of the elite member can have the same benefit. No other direct siblings are allowed, which I could not find in T&C. I understand they would ban any related abuse, but they cannot make their own rule violating the global T&C. That's what don't understand and accept.

Marriott should change their T&C like hilton.
"Benefit is limited to the registered guests staying in the same room" regardless of the gender and others.

OneWorldTraveller

With a long argue, the lounge access to non-spouse companion was granted. However, they really emphasized that was one-time exception.. I won't go back to JW Seoul as long as such a policy exists, but just want to open a thread to make sure. At tther family hotels such as JW Dongdaemun, CY TIme Square Seoul, Renaissance Seoul, I didn't have any issue.

dw

OneWorldTraveller-- thanks for sharing this information; it's certainly a new twist for a Marriott property re lounge access. I'm curious how they would respond to a same-sex couple who was married but did not share the same surname and, like almost everyone, was not traveling with a copy of their marriage license.

Sharon-- could you kindly update the lounge sticky with this info?

CAL PHL FLYER

What if it is a gay or lezbian couple?

ohmark

Make it more interesting and helpful to know which property you are referring to.

Tchiowa

One thing that wasn't clear (and the wording of a previous post brought this to mind), is the other person registered *in your room*? The OP said he was a "registered guest". But, for example, if I'm an elite and get lounge access and I have a colleague who is not an elite, is staying at the same property but not in the same room, then I can easily see them saying no.

kikid

Hi OP, sorry for my ignorance. May I know if you are referring to the older JW in Seoul (where the central bus sta is)?

cfischer

That's weird. I stayed at the JW in Seoul last year and found to EL to be a very nice place to hang out. The often but not always asked for the room number but that was about it. I actually had the room booked for 1 person but my wife was w/ me ... no questions asked whatsoever.
I find this very strange indeed. Are we talking about the JW at the express bus terminal?

username

Ummm...I can also see there could be people who stay at hotels and have one night stands - a different person every night. Maybe the hotel also hopes to eliminate that with this policy - especially if they think some of these guests of the guest are not worthy of their nice lounge?

bigjim

A lot of hotels outside of the U.S. require that all guests in the room be registered.

Actually, the policy should be very straightforward. Marriott should consider updating it to read Platinum and Gold members will receive free lounge access for themselves and one additional guest registered in the same room.

SkiAdcock

There are 2 JWs in Seoul. Which one are we referring to in this thread? I can put a note in the exec lounge sticky, but need to know which one. Also, I'm going to send a link to this thread to the Marriott guy who helped in the shark fin soup thread, so that he can reach out to the property & tell them they need to comply with Marriott policy. But he'll need to know which one as well.

Also, if the OP has Twitter or Facebook I'd recommend reaching out that way as well.

Cheers.

OneWorldTraveller

Yes Yes, I meant older JW Seoul near central bus station. I tend to mention new one JW Dongdaemun even if it's still in Seoul.. (Official name is JW Dongdaemun Square Seoul)..

OneWorldTraveller

Unfortunately, I don't have facebook/twitter. Thanks for your support on this issue.

I clarified my original posting. It's older JW Seoul in Banpo area (central bus station). Newer one is used to be called JW Dongdaemun (official name: JW Dongdaemun square Seoul)..

MOD: Can you please change the title of the thread to make it clear?? like "older JW Seoul".

OneWorldTraveller

That's exactly my suggestion. Hilton clarifies it for "registered guest"

OneWorldTraveller

Shamefully, Korea is still not that hospital place to same gender couple. So if I bring my friend and introduce "my partner", they won't believe this not give the lounge access. (Western people might be OK..)