Tag Archives: hotels

Hotelier Ian Reisner Continues Apology Tour, Donates $20K To Fire Island PAC

Per the president of the Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association, the below apology from Manhattan hotelier Ian Reisner was read at the group’s meeting over the weekend. Dear Members of our Community, First I want to clear up that Mati Weiderpass has zero involvement or ownership in the Pines. Now let me state unequivocally that I made mistakes. While …

Read More »

Hotels Seek To Block WiFi Hotspots

Via the Wall Street Journal: An industry group that includes Marriott International Inc. has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission for guidance on whether hotels are acting within the law when they disable unauthorized WiFi access points set up on their properties. The hotels say they are trying to make sure their own wireless networks don’t get bogged down and to …

Read More »

Hotel Chains Step Up Digital Services

Hilton Hotels is spending $550M on a program that will allow guests to choose their rooms, check in, and open their rooms with their smartphones. The company plans to announce this week new technology intended for its 4,200 properties world-wide. Targeting younger travelers, Hilton is aiming to leapfrog competitors that already have rolled out new services like turning mobile phones …

Read More »

LOS ANGELES: Stars And Activists Protest Brunei’s Brutal Sharia Laws

The top clip features a rousing speech by Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center CEO Lori Jean.

Read More »

Another Credit Card Hacking

The recent spate of credit card hacking has expanded to major hotel chains. White Lodging — a company that maintains Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton and Westin hotel franchises — has apparently suffered a data breach that exposed guests’ credit and debit card information in 2013, independent security researcher Brian Krebs said. Banking industry sources noticed fraud among hundreds of cards that …

Read More »

BRITAIN: Supreme Court Rules Against Anti-Gay Bed & Breakfast Owners

Britain’s Supreme Court has ruled against the owners of a bed & breakfast who were fined after refusing to rent a room to a gay couple. Hazelmary and Peter Bull refused to let civil partners Steven Preddy and Martyn Hall stay in a double room at Chymorvah House in Marazion in Cornwall in 2008. The couple, who had already lost …

Read More »

BRITAIN: Christian Bed & Breakfast Closes After Fines For Rejecting Gays

Two years after they were fined £3,600 for refusing to rent a room to a gay couple, the Christian owners of a British bed and breakfast say they are closing down due to a plummeting occupancy rate. They say they have been forced into selling their nine bed hotel for £750,000 because last winter they “were actually shivering and were …

Read More »

Waldorf Gets Deco Makeover

I’d always rather enjoyed the faded opulence of the Waldorf-Astoria’s lobby, but this makeover of their west entrance looks grand. From their Facebook page: “Meet our newly restored Park Avenue Lobby! We referenced blueprints from when the lobby opened in 1931 to create a truly authentic Art Deco feel. Have you stopped by to take a look? If you do, …

Read More »

A Loo With A View

Restrooms in the lounge atop Manhattan’s Standard Hotel include floor-to-ceiling windows in each stall, providing users and people on the street with an interesting view.

Read More »

Headline Of The Day

For once I can’t entirely disagree with the National Review. While my “hotel” isn’t nearly as bad as the one they describe, it’s certainly quite shabby.

Read More »

VERMONT: Inn Loses Suit, Must Pay $30K For Turning Away Lesbian Couple

Vermont’s Wildflower Inn has been fined $30,000 for turning away a lesbian couple that wanted to hold their wedding reception there. The couple was represented by the ACLU, who convinced the Vermont Human Rights Commission that the inn had violated state law on public accommodations. The losing Alliance Defense Fund denounces the decision: “Every American should be free to live …

Read More »

FLORIDA: HIV-Positive Man Arrested After Alleged Rape At Orlando Gay Hotel

Orlando police say they’ve arrested an HIV-positive man after he allegedly raped a male patron in a hotel room at the famed Parliament House. Kenneth Creuzer, 48, told investigators the door to the man’s room was open, so he walked in and assaulted him as he lay on his stomach, a police report states. Leaving a door ajar and the …

Read More »

New Jersey Bed & Breakfast Owner Tells Lesbian Mom: God Invented AIDS So That We Don’t Have To Serve Queers

After noticing the above sign outside of a New Jersey bed and breakfast, one lesbian mom took to their Facebook page to express disappointment that her family was clearly unwelcome there. Camp Whitebriar responded: Isn’t it wonderful Joanne Fraschilla, that you and your son can enjoy the animals here because I have a traditional marriage with a husband who works …

Read More »

Marriott Welcomes Gay Weddings

Box Turtle Bulletin tips us that the Mormon-owned Marriott chain has begun welcoming gay weddings at their hotels. Marriott hotels provide ideal venues for ceremonies honoring you and your partner. With luxurious hotels and stunning resorts all around the world, we offer the perfect settings and Planning Services for your most special day. Continue the magic of your union with …

Read More »

SAN DIEGO: Anti-Gay Activist Turns Local Newspaper Into Wingnut Mouthpiece

San Diego hotel magnate and Proposition 8 backer Doug Manchester bought the local daily newspaper last year. And since then the paper has become a relentless shill for anti-gay and anti-progressive causes. The New York Times observes: Mr. Manchester is anti-big government, anti-tax and anti-gay marriage. And he’s in favor of a remade San Diego centered around a new downtown …

Read More »

CHICAGO: Labor Controversy As Leather Event May Cross Host Hotel Picket Lines

The 34th annual International Mister Leather convention is taking place this weekend in Chicago, where attendees at the host hotel could potentially face a picket line over a long-running union labor dispute. The Hyatt Regency Chicago, site of the recent competitions, has been at the center of a bitter a contract fight with workers represented by the union UNITE HERE …

Read More »

BRITAIN: Christian Hotel Loses Appeal To Refuse Service To Same-Sex Couples

In a case watched closely in the United States, today a British hotelier lost his court battle to have the right to refuse accommodations to same-sex couples. The Court of Appeal has today upheld a landmark court ruling in favour of a gay couple refused a room by the religious owners of Cornwall hotel. Martin Hall and Steven Preddy, civil …

Read More »

“Marriage Defender” Doug Manchester Buys San Diego’s Daily Newspaper

Hotel kingpin and Prop 8 backer Doug Manchester has purchased San Diego’s Union-Tribune for $110 million. And locals can expect some big changes. What happens when that brash, bold, confrontational man steps into the newsroom of the region’s largest newspaper? John Lynch, the former local radio executive who will become the newspaper’s new president and CEO, offered a preview Thursday …

Read More »

ILLINOIS: Complaints Filed Against Two Inns For Refusing Civil Union Events

Windy City Times reports that formal complaints have been lodged against two Illinois bed-and-breakfast inns for refusing to host civil union ceremonies. Todd and Mark Wathen of Mattoon, Ill., allege that both the Timber Creek Bed and Breakfast and Beall Mansion Bed and Breakfast discriminated against them by refusing to host their legally recognized ceremony. The Wathen’s attorneys—Betty Tsamis of …

Read More »

Sleepbox

The Sleepbox modular hotel has just debuted at Moscow’s airport. More photos and a promo video at the link.

Read More »