merrickdb

I was trying to get into the W Boston bar last night with a friend and am not staying at the hotel. Unfortunately, there was a somewhat lengthy line outside in the cold. I discretely asked the bouncer if a Plat might be able to get in and was turned down. I called the Plat Concierge, who called the hotel and got the same response. Bars often let their best customers / high spenders in without having to wait in normal lines, and I feel like as Starwood Plats, we are Starwood's best customers / high spenders. Should W's let plats under the velvet rope? Any thoughts on making that a benefit (perhaps with the MyW card), Lurkers?

myperks

It would be an interesting benefit...
but..since you weren't staying at the hotel... i don't know how plat concierge would have gotten you in...
can plat concierge get you in even if you stay at a hotel?

sjuhawk_jd

Big spender in Las Vegas Casinos, yes, you get your own line for bars, night clubs, restaurants, and what not in that casino

Big spender in starwood hotels, yes you get your own counter to check-in at most hotels (whether it is manned or not that is a discussion for another time)

Big spender in starwood hotels, no you should not get special treatment to get into the bar. No disrespect, just my opinion

upgrade.me

This was huge when GhostBar opened at W Dallas - Victory.

The thing is, W had nothing to do with the bar on their top floor and vice versa. I'm also sure GhostBar (N9NE Group) was paying an arm and a leg lease for the space, so why should they care about giving freebies or special access.. The only time I saw continual special access given was for a W resident.

Yea yea, the hotel is good business to bring people to the bar, and the bar is good business to bring people to the hotel. At an opening, demand is so high that it's a no holds bar.

I remember a similar thread, and the Plat Conceirge told the guest that there was free entry. The guest was told $20 at the door. Turned up that there was free entry.... before 9pm. Truthfully though, I don't think that place opened before 10. HAHA

If it was a Starwood owned outlet, I'm sure they would get you in.

CNWO4LIFE

I bet the PC desk keeps a list of the dumbest requests made. I wonder how they ranked this one?

ldsant

I don't know - the PC CALLED the hotel for the OP That's service imo! I just would never think of asking for something when I'm not staying at the hotel - at least the OP has guts!

schnitzer

try flashing a Black Amex

merrickdb

Thanks for finding something positive to say.

I suppose I was thinking about the Platinum Concierge like I think of the AMEX Platinum Concierge--and they've occasionally been great at getting me tables at restaurants that otherwise claimed to be full or, occasionally, on nightclub guest lists. I thought the Starwood Platinum Concierge might similarly be eager to help me spend more money at a Starwood property given how good a customer I am, despite not being an in-house guest at the time. I still don't see it as that outrageous a request. It's pretty standard, for better or worse, for friends of the bouncer, friends of a manger, good customers, or particularly attractive people to be able to get around lines in the nightlife industry--and the W appears no different. I was (apparently wrongly) hoping that being a platinum would lump me in with those favored by the bouncer.

Centurion

I do not think a Black Amex would work. Now if you introduced the door person to your friend Ben Franklin

clublounger

1)Not all Plats are Starwood's best customers
2)Not all Plats are particularly attractive

A benefit of letting Plats into the hottest bars/clubs could really put a damper on the vibe at said bars/clubs.

Silly thought imho

Aloha

Centurion

My friend Ben is really good looking. He can get you in almost anywhere.

Jazzop

Let me get this straight...

1. The bar was packed.

2. There was a line outside, in winter, in Boston.

What would make anyone want to go into a place like that?

chuckisduck

Guessing your one of the Centurions, its not a hard feat to do in Tucson.

schley

I admire your assertiveness to try and get in, but bars or clubs have a code all their own for admitting guests. I wouldn't be surprised if the bouncer was like Platinum what? Then started laughing. If you are staying at a hotel with a happening bar/club you can get your cover charge waived sometimes as I'm sure you have. They can discriminate however they want in allowing guests and it sucks when you get turned down but many don't even get into that situation where they will be rejected potentially and simply don't go.

I've never liked waiting in a line for a bar/club and it is a blow to anyone's ego, but necessary if you really want to get in and can handle the rejection. As a result I won't go to those places, where it makes you feel like you are a nobody. Or even worse you are selected to get in but someone you came with they aren't allowing in. That is tough.

m0hamed

Personally I have always assumed if I was an in-house guest that the hotel would be able to get me entry to the hotel bar, with or without status. Clearly this isn't the case.

AMEX have been able to get me on the door list at several clubs in London, and certainly in Sydney including private member bars.