I have a question for the gentlemen.  What kind of hotel do you perfer to meet a provider?  What are the red flags that make you want to turn the car around?  What makes you comfortable with a location?

about like a Courtyard or similar hotel.

It should not have rooms where the door faces out to the parking lot like Motel 6.

Preferably, it should be a busy inner city hotel with a lot of constant bustle in the lobby so that you are not noticed as you walk in and go to the elevators.

i'm not concerned about being noticed. If the place is lousy with people i'm not going to stand out anywho.

mrfisher stands out EVERYWHERE.

Hi Barack, it's I, mrfisher, how ya doin?

Say, are you still looking for a way to close Gitmo, because I just had a fantastic idea....

I'd rather be in a busy hotel, with a lot of activity in the lobby. One with a nice restaurant is always a plus. I'm usually the one hosting, and I like to get a small suite, so there is room to roam, and a place to get aquainted other than just a bed.

the client with instructions to call from his car and not hang around in a lobby when waiting for the room number.

Provide the client with specific instructions on finding the elevators and your room so they don't draw attention by looking out of place.

Assess other options for accessing the elevators besides coming through the lobby

The absolute best hotels are those with convention and regular meeting traffic. Most also have a popular restaurant or bar attached and people come and go all the time. The biggest red flags are off airport MOTELS as these are magnets for low-lifes.

There are also some classic hotels with popular lounges and bars.  I particularly like those for the reason that there's a lot of people in the lobby, not just the ones staying at the hotel.  You also tend to see people dressing up a bit more, so I can present myself nicely and not attract attention.

Great points nqbs.

Another is the hotels which have an atrium all the way to the top floors. The doors open toward the atrium, you might as well be outside, and a lot more people cam see into the room.

As long as it's clean,semi-comfy and we're not worried that our car is going to get jacked more than we are...It's all good!

What are some of those chains???

at downtown hotels. There is so much shenanigans going on between attendees that the hotel staff can't usually tell what's going on as long as you and the lady are dressed to fit in.

I prefer 3 stoars or more but if it is someone I know and I know that they are booking the room as an incall I don't mind going cheap as long as it is a regular chain hotel. However, Super 8, Microtel or Red Roof Inn don't thrill me unless it would be the only place available.

Some hotels, in an effort to enhance security, require a room card to access elevators.  Which means that if you are hosting incall, you have to come downstairs to the lobby to meet your client and take him upstairs.  Which, if it happens five to seven times a day over four days, can become somewhat obvious.

I have had to wait for a provider at an elevator once and I HATED it.  I felt like everyone was watching me and on to me, and when the provider arrived in the elevator, I jumped in to avoid any further shame!

Providers, please call the hotel after you make a reservation and ask if key card access is required for the elevators.  If so, please change hotels.  It is a nuisance for everyone involved.