Astrophsx

Finished a 3 night stay at the Four Points Medellin and have to say that I'm rather confused by some of the policies (not in writing) put in place. Every friend I had visit the hotel had to hand over ID/passport that was photocopied. These were just friends visiting or picking me up to go out for the day. The hotel did not allow them to walk into the elevator and come up to my room unless I met them at the lobby and escorted them up. I was then told that after 7:30pm any person coming to my room had to be a registered guest.

During my stay at the Sheraton Lima I was told that I'd have to pay for any guest after 11:30pm. I haven't been a guest to many Starwood hotels in South America, but I'm wondering if there is a policy I'm missing here? I've never encountered similar policies in the USA or Europe (except for what I've overheard at the Pulitzer Amsterdam).

I have no problem giving a passport or ID to have on file as a registered guest, but do my visitors need to do so as well? Also, at what point does Starwood consider a visitor a guest? 11:30pm?

sj22

I have seen this in Asia where people would often book 1 room for 1 adult and try and sleep 4 in the room.

Might also be a local security issue. India has metal detectors at all hotels and movie theaters and if you are really unlucky, you can be frisked.

MSPeconomist

Some of it may be local laws. I've seen something like this, but I don't remember where.

I like the hotel of requiring guests to be escorted up to rooms. When random strangers can come in off the street and ride up in the elevator to guest room floors, it compromises the security of every hotel guest and employee.

taipeiflyer

I experienced this in Venice, where after a night of drinking, I found a lovely girl to keep me company for the evening... Italy had very strict occupancy laws and asked her for her ID to photocopy, as there was a rigid 2 person / room enforcement.

Vinodavid

Keeping out the hookers

Dr. HFH

It's common in Bangkok for the hotel to take the ID cards of young women who accompany guests up to the room at night, or who want to visit the guest. The cards are returned to the visitors when they leave. At SGS, an unaccompanied visitor must wait while the hotel guest is called on the phone to verify that the visitor is expected and welcome. If the visitor is identified by the hotel guest on the phone, the hotel often does not confiscate the visitor's ID. This rule was also applied to my attorney (a young lady), who has been to the SGS meet with me several times, but has to wait each time while staff telephones me. I have no problems with the policy, -- IMO it contributes greatly to security.

Out of my Element

"Security" <--|------> "freedom"

7Continents

I've seen this in many latin american countries and as stated earlier in Italy. A combo of security, company for the evening laws and occupancy limits. Not something to argue with in my opinion.

Often1

Good security move. You had to register, why not guests of the guest?

DurandilToss

I don't mind them having such security checks as it will deter those people who are up to no good from choosing that hotel as an easy target.

Flews

Unless it's changed, you can't get on the elevator at the W Lexington NYC without showing a room key.

Cheers,

MSPeconomist

I like it when hotels have this system. It seems much more secure.

jlc201

It's a Latin American thing. Primarily for security, which is why it is most common in places that have had a recent history of internal conflict, and Medellin would be at or near the top of that list for the region. But also Bogota, Lima, Caracas, etc. In my experience, restrictions have actually loosened over the past decade as life in these cities has gotten back to normal. Before, it was common for anyone who was not a registered guest to not be allowed beyond the lobby, period. The other reason why visitors are often asked for ID, which is photocopied, is to make sure that the guest's companion is of legal age to consent to companionship.

3Cforme

And their pimps. Petty drug traffickers. Thieves. Relative to possible downsides, checking ID seems a reasonable imposition.

KittyCat

Fully second position - have seen this or similar policy in multiple places, and can't see the harm: guests you want only experience minor check, and policy pretty much excludes any unwanted guests on your floor (let alone room). Keycard-activated elevators equally good in my opinion.

For the record - I actually have some people in my room on frequent basis, but every hotel where they turn up knocking on my door gives me a bit of a creep