This is after all the Newbie board not the catty GD board.
His question (IMO) is a legit one. Nothing wrong with being prepared. The reality is LE may not be lying in wait in the hotel lobby but they are in fact educating hotels & more hotels are happily cooperating. One of the ways they are doing so is questioning folks so it's a good idea to have a planned response to any encounter one "may" have upon entering a hotel. One thing I would add is when using hotels chose large hotels that are relatively busy. If I were a hobbyist I'd pass on meeting in smaller hotels all together. I'd also avoid hobbying between say 8 or 9am & noon when housekeeping is likely to be in the halls. If you can't avoid that time frame the provider really should have the door ajar so you can walk into the room as though you belong there. Thanks to Chris56k as well as the great advice posted so far. Safe wishes!Leann
-- Modified on 5/10/2014 8:20:53 AM
Last week I met a woman at a hotel in NYC. The hotel lobby was pretty small with several hotel staff standing around. One even greeted my with a big smile as I walked by which actually made me more nervous. I wanted to stay unnoticed. I had to wait 2-3 min for an elevator which felt like an eternity. At that point I felt like I didn't have a convincing answer if one of the hotel staff asked me if I was a guest, or my room number, or who I was seeing. Any advise what to say in that situation?
Don't get spooked by the staff smiling at you. It's just part of their job. Best thing is to just smile right back.
Or you could give a non-reply like: I'm doing fine, thank you. Be sure to always flash a big smile right back at them. Smiles can be excellent shields.
One note: If the person asking is a minion of the law, you want to say nothing, except perhaps mumble something like, Oops, I forgot something in the car, and bid a hasty retreat.
You never want to lie to lE or give them any information that can be used against you.
when going into a hotel to meet with a provider have a work bag, back pak, or something. This can be a bag you can also carry you own personal product in. We ladies always like you to be fresh during our meet, so think about carrying tooth paste, mouth wash, body wash or whatever. These are things you can carry with you in case the lady you want to see does not have them.
Just walk in like a regular guest and if asked who you are going to see, just say you're going to meet a friend.
act like you belong. Chances are pretty slim that you would get challenged as to whether or not you should be there. If you are greeted by a staff member, as previously mentioned, return the gesture in kind. When I go to a hotel for an incall, I carry a WalMart bag with my gifts in it. In my feeble mind, that makes them think I stepped out to pick a few things I might have forgotten.
Be sure you know ahead of time where the elevators are located, so you don't like like a lost puppy.
Swim
They won't bother. If possible visit the lobby beforehand to locate the elevators.
the provider should give you the directions to the elevator before you arrive. Whatever you do, do not call her on the phone while you're in the lobby to ask her how to get to the elevator, stating that you are there or ask her to chat with you until you get to the room.
Please don't!
You sound like you've never been inside a hotel in your life.
If you were a guest or visiting a friend would you have this angst? I sure hope not.
As others have said, if a staff member smiles why would not smile back. Maybe ask how their day is going.
I've been in hundreds (maybe thousands) of hotels in my life for functions. Some of them happen to be functions to see a gal from TER. I've yet to see LE sitting around waiting for you to show up. It simply doesn't happen.
As for bringing stuff...never have and never will. But if it makes you feel better to bring a brief case...no biggie either.
All you're doing is visiting a friend. If you happen to have sex with that friend...bully for you.
Don't make this complicated...it's not.
This is after all the Newbie board not the catty GD board.
His question (IMO) is a legit one. Nothing wrong with being prepared. The reality is LE may not be lying in wait in the hotel lobby but they are in fact educating hotels & more hotels are happily cooperating. One of the ways they are doing so is questioning folks so it's a good idea to have a planned response to any encounter one "may" have upon entering a hotel.
One thing I would add is when using hotels chose large hotels that are relatively busy. If I were a hobbyist I'd pass on meeting in smaller hotels all together. I'd also avoid hobbying between say 8 or 9am & noon when housekeeping is likely to be in the halls. If you can't avoid that time frame the provider really should have the door ajar so you can walk into the room as though you belong there.
Thanks to Chris56k as well as the great advice posted so far.
Safe wishes!
Leann
-- Modified on 5/10/2014 8:20:53 AM
get to choose the hotel--she does.
FYI, housekeeping staff are in the hallways of major business hotels from around 9am until 4 or 5 in the evening; not just the morning. In one of my previous jobs, I would often check-out as late as I could because I didn't have to be to the next city to later in the day. Therefore, my room couldn't be cleaned for the next guest until after lunch.
Sorry. I could have kept my opening statements in my thoughts. Just a few more added comments.
Yes the provider in most cases gets to chose the hotel. You however get to chose whether or not to see her at that hotel.
Regarding housekeeping, many hotels are staffed 24/7. I was referencing peak hours & I would add the provider really should have the door ajar any time day or night when her appt arrives to allow a quick entry. You don't want to spend anymore time in the hallway than necessary.
As far as staff greeting you. This serves two purposes. One of course is to make guests feel welcome as well as acts as a deterrent to folks up to no good by acknowledging awareness of their presence. The phone idea is great to avoid further questioning beyond the smile & nod of the head
His advice was spot on, and I hate to say this, but it was by far the best advice given in this thread.
There is no need to be the least bit worried when traveling through hotel lobbies. As long as you "own the room" no one is going to challenge you. Do any of these thoughts run through your head when having a business meeting in a hotel, I am sure you don't "rehearse" a cover story when there on legitimate business as it would never enter your mind that some hotel employee would ever challenge your right to be there. Keep that mindset and you will be just fine.
and yes I know I am posting under Steph and not the OP, so sue me. lol
You left yourself wide open for that one...
Steph
There is no need to be the least bit worried when traveling through hotel lobbies. As long as you "own the room" no one is going to challenge you. Do any of these thoughts run through your head when having a business meeting in a hotel, I am sure you don't "rehearse" a cover story when there on legitimate business as it would never enter your mind that some hotel employee would ever challenge your right to be there. Keep that mindset and you will be just fine.
and yes I know I am posting under Steph and not the OP, so sue me. lol
I see you like to go for the "low hanging fruit" just like I do. lol
and I act like I'm obsessed on the thing being oblivious to my surroundings.
Or use your cell phone and pretend you are texting like crazy.
Either way... Works for me every time!
The Forest Waits
Hi Chris,
I agree with most that the majority of hotels there is no reason for concern. I will say that in Boston there are a few small boutique hotels. One in particular I was stopped by concierge (they stop everyone its part of the customer service). This hotel has an elevator concierge attendant as well. I didn't "own the room" because I was there on an outcall. My response when asked was " I am here to meet with my attorney". Works like a charm if you ever find yourself in a similar situation. Overall though I have been to MANY hotels and if they smile its just part of customer service. Larger hotels are not a concern but the small poshy boutique hotels have a few drawbacks.
Thanks to all who replied. I really appreciate the advice. I'm feel more confident and better prepared now!
This reminds me of something that happened to me.
My car broke down in front of one of the top luxury hotels in a major North American City. I walked into the lobby and told my story to the concierge. He arranged a repair shop for me who was amazingly quick, courteous and cheap. It was only on the drive home did a realize that the concierge thought I was a guest at the hotel and the repair shop was nice to me because they wanted continued business from the hotel.
Walk in like you belong there.
Several times I have stopped into a fancy hotel and asked a concierge to set up a dinner appointment or get me tickets to a show.
The concierges at the biggest hotels need only pick up the phone to the fanciest places and, voila, it's done. It's best to have that sawbuck in your hand and visible to him/her while they are doing their magic and thank them with the banknote while you shake their hands.
I've never had one ask me to show my room key in order to avail myself of their services.
Hahaha a hotel paid my cabby when I arrived to an outcall once.
Cabby put my ho bag in the lobby while I was still in the car figuring out tip, etc. I go to pay the cabby and he said the hotel just paid him. Cool, so I walk in, grab my ho bag, told the concierge THANKS and walked right passed him to the elevators.
In the morning, I came down, had free breakfast and the shuttle took me home. LOL
My car broke down in front of one of the top luxury hotels in a major North American City. I walked into the lobby and told my story to the concierge. He arranged a repair shop for me who was amazingly quick, courteous and cheap. It was only on the drive home did a realize that the concierge thought I was a guest at the hotel and the repair shop was nice to me because they wanted continued business from the hotel.
Walk in like you belong there.
on the second call, she should tell you or you should ask if she does not... before you go in the main lobby... How do you get to the elevators? It's almost always past the front desk and then... down the hall to the ?? Right / Left. In one case the elevator was off a side hall & was actually back to the lobby. Such a small bit of information, keeps whom-ever (he/she) from needing to rubber neck going through the lobby.
I do like to have a shopping bag (for a gift), a computer bag (actually was hiding only my hobby bag), a small suitcase (on wheels... a bunch of extra towels as we'd rented a spa room... she did laugh at that but I'm a big guy & takes a lot of towel to get me dry) with me.