The new JW Marriott hotel under construction in Grand Rapids, Mich., center, will feature a 19th floor and lounge exclusively for female clientele. (Photo by Noel A. Webley II)
Posted on 05/17/2007 10:55:54 AM PDT by Incorrigible
By CHRIS KNAPE
| The new JW Marriott hotel under construction in Grand Rapids, Mich., center, will feature a 19th floor and lounge exclusively for female clientele. (Photo by Noel A. Webley II) |
|
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Among the amenities planned for this city's new JW Marriott hotel, one might be a first in America.
The Alticor Inc.-owned riverfront hotel is reserving its 19th floor and a lounge exclusively for female clientele when it opens Sept. 19.
Andrea Groom, a spokeswoman for the 24-story, 340-room hotel, said the idea recognizes more than half of all business travelers are women.
"A lot of women are saying they're not feeling like they're safe when they're traveling to a strange city,'' Groom said. "They don't necessarily want to go down to a lounge and feel like they are getting hit on by guys.''
The women-only rooms also will have amenities not found in other rooms, such as chenille throw blankets, ionic hair dryers, jewelry holders and special bath products.
Access to those rooms will come at a $25 to $30 per night premium over standard rates of about $229.
Is it legal?
Harold Core, a spokesman for the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, said he wasn't sure.
"You cannot deny a person services just because they are male or female,'' Core said. "In a lot of cases, there could be a nondiscriminatory reason where a hotel would have that kind of set-up or policy. But I can't speak to what that reasoning would be.''
He cited restrooms and locker rooms as examples of gender-specific amenities that are legal.
"I can imagine if this is something they're announcing publicly, it is something that will either come to a court or come to our commission,'' he said.
George Aquino, general manager of the hotel, said with only a small percentage of women-only rooms, he doesn't expect it to become an issue.
News of the women-only floor and lounge emerged Tuesday as the company announced a Sept. 19 grand opening gala. The hotel's restaurant and other amenities will be open Sept. 21.
Regular room reservations will be taken via Marriott's reservation system beginning in June.
The hotel will include a restaurant called six.one.six featuring "regional American fare with global influences.''
A special technology package in each room will allow guests to plug in laptops and music players and utilize the in-room speakers and 32-inch plasma TV.
(Chris Knape is a reporter for the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press. He can be contacted at cknape(at)grpress.com.)
Not for commercial use. For educational and discussion purposes only.
I needed that laugh! Thanks!
I do believe this woman is living proof that the legend of Dorian Gray is real. Only with Helen, her body rather than her portrait changed to show her inner being.
vaudine
When I saw the headlines, I thought “Muslims”. They have established a seashore resort solely for women somewhere over there—Egypt?
vaudine
Oh, that's Bullsh!t, most definately.
"A lot of women are saying they're not feeling like they're safe when they're traveling to a strange city,'' Groom said. "They don't necessarily want to go down to a lounge and feel like they are getting hit on by guys.''
Right. "A lot of women" are "feeling". Certainly extensive studies of this have been done (eyes rolling).
The women-only rooms also will have amenities not found in other rooms, such as chenille throw blankets, ionic hair dryers, jewelry holders and special bath products.
Oh I'm sure that women were pining for ionic hair dryers and "special bath products." The hotel couldn't just put those things in all the rooms or ask guests if they have special ionic hair dryer or chenille throw blanket needs? The hotel can do whatever they want and I couldn't care less, but do they have to lie about why?
Access to those rooms will come at a $25 to $30 per night premium over standard rates of about $229.
Slick Willie, Rosie and Melissa Ethridge are probably hitting the ATM in anticipation for that access!!
Cracker Barrel and Denny’s did not deny blacks service. That is a lie only liberal idiots believe.
Nah, I hung up on him. That fake intimate tone gave him away in two words. I wonder how any woman over the age of 20 ever voted for Bill Clinton.
Mrs VS
Could explain the change or new concept. I am not sure if Kathleen joining Marriott is good or bad truthfully. I know her husband runs a political show. I think they are both Catholic, but Chris Matthews is on the liberal side in some issues. It could be a wash but I am not sure.
just wait..I’m sure enough of a fuss will be raised to have a floor dedicated to transgendered, one to full lesbians, one for those that aren’t sure what they are..etc..etc..Marriott just opened a can of worms..the lawsuits WON’T be coming from the expected direction..
The femnists must be having conniptions!
When I read the title, I knew the hotel was in Michigan or outside the US.
GMTA, I was still reading on the first page when I posted below you.
It’ll be a fun one to watch out for, won’t it?
From what I have seen, Marriott seems to be a well-run corporation.
Nice beds, though.
yupper it will..men won’t be the ones suing..it’ll be all the other “sexes” who will now demand equal treatment or face a discrimination suit..
wanna make any bets on how long until the first one shows up??
It begins right after, "Eden, can you -- um -- help me with this?"
she is speaking at my daughter’s HS graduation on June 5th, bc her daughter is a member of the same graduating class. It’s an all girls Catholic HS. They were going to have Pelosi speak [she is a classmate of one of the teachers] but opted against because of her proabort views. i imagine Kathleen is also proabort, but there wouldn’t be an official record of her view, so the school can rest easy.
AAAAHHH!
What the F#@K is that?!?!?
My eyes! My poor widdle eyes!
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