How many have stayed in a room next to a President or Vice President of a country?
Apr 20, 2007, 8:16 am
#16
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Metro Detroit
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Twice actually. First time was when the Detroit Red Wings played in the Stanley Cup finals in Washington, DC. I took my son and stayed at the IC there. Went out for a stroll one afternoon, and came back to security ringing the property. Lot's of dark, large SUV's, and very large guys with bulges under their jackets at every door, including the elevator. I found out that the Prime Minister of Lebanon was there- my guess is that he wasnt' there for the hockey game!
And then again about a month ago at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens. My son checked in the day before and noticed heavy security. Inquired and was told that the Prime Minister of Jordan was there. The next day we were on top of the Acropolis with a private tour guide. There were 5 men in dark suits walking around nearby-the suits made them stand out. As our tour guide was doing his speech, one of the men in the suits came by and stood right next to us listening to our guide for about 3-4 minutes. His associates kept a very watchful eye on him, and on us. My son turns to me and says "Dad, that was the dignitary guy from the hotel!"
And then again about a month ago at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens. My son checked in the day before and noticed heavy security. Inquired and was told that the Prime Minister of Jordan was there. The next day we were on top of the Acropolis with a private tour guide. There were 5 men in dark suits walking around nearby-the suits made them stand out. As our tour guide was doing his speech, one of the men in the suits came by and stood right next to us listening to our guide for about 3-4 minutes. His associates kept a very watchful eye on him, and on us. My son turns to me and says "Dad, that was the dignitary guy from the hotel!"
Apr 20, 2007, 8:18 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 6,138
When my girlfriend and I showed up at the Conrad BKK for our Prez suite stay, we were gracefully told by the duty manager that we our room was unavailable for that one first night.
It seems the princess of Thailand was hosting a reception in the hotel ballroom that night in honor of her dad's birthday, and absolutely had to change into her evening gown in appropriate quarters.
We were escorted to another (also huge) suite across the hall from the prez suite, where we spent the first night before switching. We also exchanged pleasantries with the princess' all-female guard patrol who were keeping watch all over the top floor. While impeccably polite in the Thai way, I had no doubt any one of them could kill me with their bare hands.
It seems the princess of Thailand was hosting a reception in the hotel ballroom that night in honor of her dad's birthday, and absolutely had to change into her evening gown in appropriate quarters.
We were escorted to another (also huge) suite across the hall from the prez suite, where we spent the first night before switching. We also exchanged pleasantries with the princess' all-female guard patrol who were keeping watch all over the top floor. While impeccably polite in the Thai way, I had no doubt any one of them could kill me with their bare hands.
Apr 20, 2007, 10:16 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 2,976
Several years ago I was in Rochester Minnesota on business, staying at the Kahler Grand Hotel downtown. One day a convoy of rental trucks, limos and luxury sedans rolled up to the hotel. Lots of really big guys in traditional Arabic dress fanned out, taking up station in the sidewalk and lobby. What was going on I asked one of the bellhops? It was the King of Jordan and he had arrived with his entourage for his regular medical treatment at the Mayo Clinic. They took over the top two floors of the hotel. They had two big U-Haul trucks just to hold all the luggage. His private jet was still at the airport when I headed home after a couple of days.
Apr 20, 2007, 3:04 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ORD, MKE, MDW
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About ten years ago, I was checking into the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa and was delayed entering the front door of the hotel because the Prime Minister of Jamaica was checking out. We were in a "holding pattern" outside for about ten minutes while the Prime Minister and his entourage exited the building.
The entourage included a fellow who's apparent job was to stand just behind the Prime Minister and keep holding an unbrella over his head! (It was a beautiful sunny day and this was in a covered entry way).
The entourage included a fellow who's apparent job was to stand just behind the Prime Minister and keep holding an unbrella over his head! (It was a beautiful sunny day and this was in a covered entry way).
Apr 20, 2007, 3:24 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, CDG, NCE
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Posts: 2,634
Apr 20, 2007, 9:16 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,320
Right before the shooting started on Gulf War 1, I was staying at the Four Seasons Washington, D.C. After breakfast my friend and I headed to the elevators in the main lobby to go back to the room. Out of nowhere, litterally just appeared out of nowhere, a big US Secret Service agent stood in front of me, grabbed my hands (I still don't know how he got both of my hands so quickly) held them against my waist with one of his hands and kept his other arm free. He pushed me back against the wall, said "excuse me sir," and as he said it King Abdallah of Jordan walked up, took my elevator and rode up to his room. The agent looked at me, said, "thank you," and went back to the lobby. It was an amazing thing to experience because the agent managed to have complete control over me instantly without me even realizing what had happend. He didn't hurt me or use any kind of excessive force, but there was definately a aura that said, comply with this guy, NOW. Kinda neat to see.
Apr 21, 2007, 4:16 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 573
Right before the shooting started on Gulf War 1, I was staying at the Four Seasons Washington, D.C. After breakfast my friend and I headed to the elevators in the main lobby to go back to the room. Out of nowhere, litterally just appeared out of nowhere, a big US Secret Service agent stood in front of me, grabbed my hands (I still don't know how he got both of my hands so quickly) held them against my waist with one of his hands and kept his other arm free. He pushed me back against the wall, said "excuse me sir," and as he said it King Abdallah of Jordan walked up, took my elevator and rode up to his room. The agent looked at me, said, "thank you," and went back to the lobby. It was an amazing thing to experience because the agent managed to have complete control over me instantly without me even realizing what had happend. He didn't hurt me or use any kind of excessive force, but there was definately a aura that said, comply with this guy, NOW. Kinda neat to see.
Where I'm from, we do have a phrase for that "physical assault".
It's neat with dignitaries and all, but I don't think it's neat when such automatically feel that their henchmen (or the henchmen of their hosts) are entitled to assault law-abiding citizens like that.
Did you file a complaint for being assaulted like that?
Apr 21, 2007, 4:39 am
#24
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SZG, Austria
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Yes, it was the US president Georg Bush last year on the visit to Vienna. I stayed at the IC Vienna and also the president. Never will make this experience again, security check, security check again, security check again again, ......
I stayed at the 10th floor and the president and the whole staff stayed at the 12th floor.
I stayed at the 10th floor and the president and the whole staff stayed at the 12th floor.
Apr 21, 2007, 10:37 am
#25
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,320
Where I'm from, we do have a phrase for that "physical assault".
It's neat with dignitaries and all, but I don't think it's neat when such automatically feel that their henchmen (or the henchmen of their hosts) are entitled to assault law-abiding citizens like that.
Did you file a complaint for being assaulted like that?
It's neat with dignitaries and all, but I don't think it's neat when such automatically feel that their henchmen (or the henchmen of their hosts) are entitled to assault law-abiding citizens like that.
Did you file a complaint for being assaulted like that?
Apr 21, 2007, 3:48 pm
#26
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Corpus,TX
Programs: SPG-Gold, Amex-Plat., AA-Plat.
Posts: 370
First time was years ago in Morocco, returned to the hotel to find our bags
on the sidewalk guarded by someone from the hotel (at least they posted
a guard) and we were told the whole hotel had been taken over by some
shiek and his party. We ended up in some dump called of all things "The
Grand Hotel"- Next, durning the first George Bush campaign he
stayed at the same hotel "The Mandalay Bay" in Dallas, police at every
elevator with guns. Last time was about three years ago at the Houstonian
Hotel and Dick Channey checked in down the hall from my boss and I.
We went out for dinner and big black dogs barked at us. I believe we were
the only other people on that floor beside the V.P. and the secret service.
Comming back that night they would not let us ride up the elevator to our
floor. My boss stays at that hotel all the time and he had just had Knee
surgry, he was hot. Finally after we slowly climbed the three flights of stairs
the secret service met us and asked for ID- please!!!! the had just escorted
us up the stairs. I didn't have any ID- I was only carring an evening bag
and I knew I wasn't paying for dinner. After much discussion we were finally escorted by the secret service to our rooms.- Bottom line - its a pain!
on the sidewalk guarded by someone from the hotel (at least they posted
a guard) and we were told the whole hotel had been taken over by some
shiek and his party. We ended up in some dump called of all things "The
Grand Hotel"- Next, durning the first George Bush campaign he
stayed at the same hotel "The Mandalay Bay" in Dallas, police at every
elevator with guns. Last time was about three years ago at the Houstonian
Hotel and Dick Channey checked in down the hall from my boss and I.
We went out for dinner and big black dogs barked at us. I believe we were
the only other people on that floor beside the V.P. and the secret service.
Comming back that night they would not let us ride up the elevator to our
floor. My boss stays at that hotel all the time and he had just had Knee
surgry, he was hot. Finally after we slowly climbed the three flights of stairs
the secret service met us and asked for ID- please!!!! the had just escorted
us up the stairs. I didn't have any ID- I was only carring an evening bag
and I knew I wasn't paying for dinner. After much discussion we were finally escorted by the secret service to our rooms.- Bottom line - its a pain!
Apr 21, 2007, 4:00 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 515
I've not stayed there while the president was in residence, but stayed in a Ritz Carlton just after him.
The phones were hosed in the u/l suites for the next few days while they worked out the bugs from the presidential takeover of communications.
I hope he has better telecomm than what is left in his wake.
The phones were hosed in the u/l suites for the next few days while they worked out the bugs from the presidential takeover of communications.
I hope he has better telecomm than what is left in his wake.
Apr 21, 2007, 5:33 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,945
One morning, I stumble down for breakfast in boxer shorts and a t shirt and he's sitting there with three other men. He introduces them by first name and tells me they were all close friends in HS.
As we sit there, I learn that I'm sitting next to the Defence Minister, the Minister of Tourism and a MP.
Still in my boxer shorts.
As we sit there, I learn that I'm sitting next to the Defence Minister, the Minister of Tourism and a MP.
Still in my boxer shorts.
They were having a presidents meeting of all Caribean nations and they were all staying at the hotel. One of the presidents (I cant remember which island) was staying on our floor, on our wing of the hotel. So we passed security guards blocking the hallway each morning and then again when we came home each night. They were always polite and if we had been shopping and had bags, they always asked if we needed help. Guess it just made me feel safer.
Apr 21, 2007, 8:17 pm
#29
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Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
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Many times -- including with a number of the people named above. Sometimes it's for the better; often it's for the worse.
Mar 15, 2017, 8:40 pm
#30
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Location: PDX
Programs: AS DL
Posts: 9,038
I had a very interesting last night at the hotel I have been staying at for the last 3 weeks, the Wuhan Reniassance. It seems that Wuhan is hosting a Women's Worldcup Soccer event this weekend. So some country dignitaries have come to the city with their teams. And one such dignitary, the Vice President of Gabon decided to stay at the Wuhan Ren last night.
Of course the VP wanted the big suite room on the Club Floor. Yes, the one next to my room.
Well, I left for a dinner party yesterday and noticed a couple of big rough looking fellers just walking around the floor. I didn't think much about it and went on to dinner. When I got back about 5 hours later, they were still there. One of them was standing next to my door and the other standing next to a different door. Of course, the one at my door gave me a good looking over as I entered my room, but he didn't say anything. I'm really wondering what is going on now. So I'm in my room and notice that things aren't quite where I left everything. Someone had been in my room. I wasn't very happy now. 
So I try to talk with the guy outside my door to find out what he is doing there, but he didn't speak English, so that didn't provide me any insights. So I call down to the front desk. And the lady there, just couldn't understand that I was trying to tell her there were two guys just hanging around the floor doing nothing, except maybe looking mean.
She said she would send somebody up to find out what I was trying to tell her. Her English wasn't much better than the guy outside my door.
After waiting about 10 minutes, I finally said enough and went to the Conceirge Lounge and had them call the hotel manager. Well, he came up and apologized saying tha they tried to call me earlier, but I had already left. It seems the Gabon VP really wanted the whole floor to himself. Unfortunately, there were already two people on the floor including myself. So what the Gabon security did was have two of their security guards to stand watch over each of our rooms all night, just in case we weren't the fine upstanding citizens we were pretending to be. And they had their security with dogs and all, go through every room on the floor including mine (the hotel manager stated that the hotel security was with them the whole time.) That made me feel a lot better. And that was why some of the items were a little out of place.
So how many of you have had the pleasure to have a country President or Vice President stay next door to your room before? I'm not sure I need that type of noterity again myself.
Of course the VP wanted the big suite room on the Club Floor. Yes, the one next to my room.
Well, I left for a dinner party yesterday and noticed a couple of big rough looking fellers just walking around the floor. I didn't think much about it and went on to dinner. When I got back about 5 hours later, they were still there. One of them was standing next to my door and the other standing next to a different door. Of course, the one at my door gave me a good looking over as I entered my room, but he didn't say anything. I'm really wondering what is going on now. So I'm in my room and notice that things aren't quite where I left everything. Someone had been in my room. I wasn't very happy now. So I try to talk with the guy outside my door to find out what he is doing there, but he didn't speak English, so that didn't provide me any insights. So I call down to the front desk. And the lady there, just couldn't understand that I was trying to tell her there were two guys just hanging around the floor doing nothing, except maybe looking mean.
She said she would send somebody up to find out what I was trying to tell her. Her English wasn't much better than the guy outside my door.After waiting about 10 minutes, I finally said enough and went to the Conceirge Lounge and had them call the hotel manager. Well, he came up and apologized saying tha they tried to call me earlier, but I had already left. It seems the Gabon VP really wanted the whole floor to himself. Unfortunately, there were already two people on the floor including myself. So what the Gabon security did was have two of their security guards to stand watch over each of our rooms all night, just in case we weren't the fine upstanding citizens we were pretending to be. And they had their security with dogs and all, go through every room on the floor including mine (the hotel manager stated that the hotel security was with them the whole time.) That made me feel a lot better.
And that was why some of the items were a little out of place. So how many of you have had the pleasure to have a country President or Vice President stay next door to your room before? I'm not sure I need that type of noterity again myself.
After this hotel incident, he was acting president for a short time. He was also admitted to a Paris hospital for depression. He is now an opposition leader. He is 70.