Mastering the Hotel Lobby: Tips for Helping Non-Guests Integrate and Use the Hotel Facilities
I often meet people at hotels and sit in the lobby. I’m not a guest! Is that wrong? No one has ever said anything to me about it.
A few years ago, Radisson Hotels had a program called “Our World, Your Lounge” where elite members of the loyalty program received free coffee, tea or hot chocolate for two at any time in any hotel, as well as free wireless internet. This was limited to properties in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, but was discontinued in 2011 with the introduction of the Radisson Rewards program.
I’ve never had a problem getting water from the fridge in the lobby of the Andaz 5th Avenue in New York, and I find it a convenient, central meeting place.
Some people feel safe as Honors Diamond members stopping at a Hilton on their way to or from work to use the lobby restroom and grab a coffee to go, which is reliably cleaner than the average gas station or rest area restroom.
Follow He takes his diamond status very seriously. #marriage #Couples #Couple #Hilton #page #Married life #coffee ♬ Interesting – Gold Tiger
If you look good and feel comfortable, no one will notice you’re out of place. I’m a middle-aged white guy, and I’m not conspicuous, so I don’t get to be a hotel guest. Noticed If I wasn’t a guest (and they usually aren’t), they probably wouldn’t mind too much.
Still, is this wrong? Is there a difference between stopping by the restroom and having a coffee when you’re not a guest, like the man in this video, or sitting in a lounge chair in the lobby and chatting with someone? In the case of a hotel where you’ve stayed dozens of times, like the Andaz 5th Avenue in New York (even if you’re not staying that night), where you have no guest history, does it even matter?
By the way, even if you are not a guest, you can still use the pool and resort facilities by obtaining a permit (buying access without buying a room) or by dropping in guerrilla-style.
Some of our readers might do the same in a nicer apartment, with a pool, plenty of visitor space, maybe even guest parking. Once you’ve been somewhere once, you’ll feel more confident going back because you know where everything is, and you’ll feel more integrated into your surroundings.