If a hotel is hosting an "adult"type convention/conference should it inform all guest
Mar 7, 2007, 7:55 pm
#61
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: More Northerly than the Greater Seattle Area
Programs: United, Alaska,
Posts: 6
Welcome aboard!!
I wonder if they also didn't want you to stay on that floor because you might have been mistaken for a working girl? Now THAT would be an interesting complaint for Lurker!
(hmmmmm I wonder if clients accrue Starpoints for using the hotel's, ahem, services?)
I wonder if they also didn't want you to stay on that floor because you might have been mistaken for a working girl? Now THAT would be an interesting complaint for Lurker!
(hmmmmm I wonder if clients accrue Starpoints for using the hotel's, ahem, services?)At my age (downhill side of a very young 40ish
) I am going to take that possibility as a compliment.
Mar 7, 2007, 8:42 pm
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,765
Years ago there was a big to do about a swingers group hosting an annual convention in the Palm Springs area. Now these folks had been having their annual meet for quite some time but because they had outgrown their original venue of a Super8/La Quinta/Hampton-sized hotel, they were "moving up" to the big leagues of a full-scale hotel. THAT'S what prompted people to become so upset...because now there's an army of them. So many that they were taking over the ENTIRE hotel much to the chagrin of the locals.
Mar 8, 2007, 8:16 am
#63
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: NY
Programs: AA, US, DL, UA, Marriott Silver, Hilton Silver
Posts: 960
I just don't see that it's the hotel's obligation to pass that information on. If someone were to call and ask ahead of time if there are any conventions or such, then I would think they should reply honestly, but I really don't think they are obligated to share that information proactively. Let's face it, they are in the hotel business which includes hosting conventions. I'm sure if they have a chance to have revenue from 100 guests vs. 1 that might be bothered by a particular group, they will side with the group. I know all the premier billion milers will says that loyalty to their repeat customers first, but lets face it - $$ talks. They are in business and are not in a position to pass moral judgement.
I would think if people are that sensative or that concerned, a simple call in advance should suffice. But will the hotels comply, thats another question.
I would think if people are that sensative or that concerned, a simple call in advance should suffice. But will the hotels comply, thats another question.
Mar 8, 2007, 12:31 pm
#64
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A few weeks ago, I checked into the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, where a Kate Bosworth/Kevin Spacey movie was being shot. That was WAY more disruptive (I couldn't even get to the front desk) than any convention. There was no warning. Lights and cameras everywhere, and big sections roped off -- also cables were all over the floor.
Mar 8, 2007, 1:59 pm
#65
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1P
Posts: 1,356
So -- let the fetishists do what they will, I guess. They have every right to enjoy what they enjoy. However -- will I ever place a friend or family in that hotel now? No. Ewww! Talk about "who knows where THAT has been?" for pretty much everything in the hotel room.
Mar 8, 2007, 3:49 pm
#66
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,670
I'm in the convention and meeting business, so I can see this from the perspective of the hotel and the convention:
1. Conventions--regardless of their target audience--want to have a good relationship with the hotel they'e using. They may want to return to the hotel for future conventions. And even if they don't, they know that a new hotel will likely call the hotel they used last year to get a reference. If the new hotel hears, "We had a lot of complaints from unaffiliated guests because their attendees behaved inappropriately," then the new hotel is unlikely to let them have meeting space.
2. In an ideal world, most "adult" conventions would prefer to book at hotel that they can take over in its entirety. After all, the people who are attending these events may work in an adult industry, but they're humans--sons and daughters, parents, grandparents, etc. They realize that they have to tame things down when they're among the "vanilla" world, and it's just easier if they can have the run of the place. (But hotels also have to deal with employees who may not agree with the adult business...it's a delicate situation all-around.)
3. As a meeting planner, I once toured the Palmer House Hilton as International Mister Leather was setting up for its Memorial Day weekend convention. The convention is geared toward gay men, but the straight bondage/S&M crowd also attends. I asked the hotel rep who was giving me the tour about potential conflicts with unaffiliated hotel guests. As I recall, he said that the group did a great job of reminding its attendees that they should act and dress appropriately when in public areas of the hotel--and that public areas were not to be used as play-spaces. IML has been a long-term client of the Palmer House, so I assume that attendees do a good job of being respectful of the hotel and its other guests. (As an aside, I live in a gay neighborhood in Chicago--about six miles from the hotel--and I see a lot during IML week, like men in assless chaps walking down the street.)
1. Conventions--regardless of their target audience--want to have a good relationship with the hotel they'e using. They may want to return to the hotel for future conventions. And even if they don't, they know that a new hotel will likely call the hotel they used last year to get a reference. If the new hotel hears, "We had a lot of complaints from unaffiliated guests because their attendees behaved inappropriately," then the new hotel is unlikely to let them have meeting space.
2. In an ideal world, most "adult" conventions would prefer to book at hotel that they can take over in its entirety. After all, the people who are attending these events may work in an adult industry, but they're humans--sons and daughters, parents, grandparents, etc. They realize that they have to tame things down when they're among the "vanilla" world, and it's just easier if they can have the run of the place. (But hotels also have to deal with employees who may not agree with the adult business...it's a delicate situation all-around.)
3. As a meeting planner, I once toured the Palmer House Hilton as International Mister Leather was setting up for its Memorial Day weekend convention. The convention is geared toward gay men, but the straight bondage/S&M crowd also attends. I asked the hotel rep who was giving me the tour about potential conflicts with unaffiliated hotel guests. As I recall, he said that the group did a great job of reminding its attendees that they should act and dress appropriately when in public areas of the hotel--and that public areas were not to be used as play-spaces. IML has been a long-term client of the Palmer House, so I assume that attendees do a good job of being respectful of the hotel and its other guests. (As an aside, I live in a gay neighborhood in Chicago--about six miles from the hotel--and I see a lot during IML week, like men in assless chaps walking down the street.)
Mar 9, 2007, 9:11 am
#69
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I once Pricelined a hotel near LAX and the next hotel over was having some kind of nude-models convention. Seemed to be half geared toward fans of the old ones (i.e. 60s playmates still signing autographs and charging for photos) and half toward networking for the new wanabes. Lots of revealing outfits in the ballroom and published materials with nudity, but no live nudity. Hugh Hefner also showed up, looking ancient.
The hotel, though, was pretty strict and wouldn't allow the skimpy outfits to be worn outside the closed convention area, so models had to put on robes.
The hotel, though, was pretty strict and wouldn't allow the skimpy outfits to be worn outside the closed convention area, so models had to put on robes.
Mar 9, 2007, 12:29 pm
#70
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,572
I don't agree with this one. A hotel wouldn't advise guests that an NAACP convention is in the hotel. Why should it be different for gay people? I know at least one hotel manager who hosts gay events who has a policy of not informing for this very reason. He does usually get a complaint or two, but he doesn't give refunds or move people to different hotels. Now, I can see complaining about improper behavior in public areas, but as long as nothing like that is going on, the hotel shouldn't play into guest prejudices.
Mar 9, 2007, 9:12 pm
#71
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Usually LAX, though I try to be at BUR
Programs: United Lowly 2P, Hilton Used to Be Gold.
Posts: 50
Why should hotels warn anyone?
The hotel should certainly make sure that everyone on its property acts in a way fitting for shared quarters (wear clothes, don't scream for no reason, don't ask guests to try on your bondage spiked collar in the elevator) - so if you see something out of hand, you should complain and, if that something is truly inappropriate (naked folks at the buffet, preachers telling your kids in the pool they are going to hell unless he dunks them) something should be done about it.
That said, I've witnessed bad behavior by hotel guests (screaming kids in the room next door who wouldn't be quiet, drunk twentysomething businessmen in suits jumping up and down in the elevator "to test how secure it is" and scaring the pants off of my me and my mother) and I don't think any of them were involved with a convention. I wish I could have asked the hotel to warn me if there would be any jerks at the hotel when my stay was booked, but that seems impossible.
If see inappropriate behavior, report it if it is bothering your stay. Chances are there is a group of gay porn IT guys / Tupperware / Mothers Against Meat in your hotel and you don't even know about it.
The hotel should certainly make sure that everyone on its property acts in a way fitting for shared quarters (wear clothes, don't scream for no reason, don't ask guests to try on your bondage spiked collar in the elevator) - so if you see something out of hand, you should complain and, if that something is truly inappropriate (naked folks at the buffet, preachers telling your kids in the pool they are going to hell unless he dunks them) something should be done about it.
That said, I've witnessed bad behavior by hotel guests (screaming kids in the room next door who wouldn't be quiet, drunk twentysomething businessmen in suits jumping up and down in the elevator "to test how secure it is" and scaring the pants off of my me and my mother) and I don't think any of them were involved with a convention. I wish I could have asked the hotel to warn me if there would be any jerks at the hotel when my stay was booked, but that seems impossible.
If see inappropriate behavior, report it if it is bothering your stay. Chances are there is a group of gay porn IT guys / Tupperware / Mothers Against Meat in your hotel and you don't even know about it.
Mar 9, 2007, 9:21 pm
#72
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Usually LAX, though I try to be at BUR
Programs: United Lowly 2P, Hilton Used to Be Gold.
Posts: 50
I also have an Indian-American friend who travels on solo-vacations and frequently shares space with other solo-traveling guests. After a bad experience, she now *asks* the reservationist to advise potential roommates that she is Indian. Perhaps some groups like the Gay Rodeo ask the hotel to tell people they'll be there so anyone who is has a problem with that has the option to book elsewhere and won't ruin their fun? Nothing like planning a vacation only to have anti-Indian / anti-gay people spoil your fun by constantly commenting about "your type", I suppose.
Just trying to present another side / reason why the hotel may be advising people.