Watch: Angry Marriott Lifetime Elite Sneaks Into Ritz

by Gary Leff on July 31, 2023

Last month a man that wasn’t a guest entered the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota and planted himself in the hot tub. He wouldn’t leave. When police responded to a trespassing complaint from management, the man ranted about what had become of his beloved Starwood Preferred Guest program and his lifetime elite status, as captured on body cam video.

Around 3 minutes 30 seconds, when asked how he got into the property, he yells “SPG! Lifetime status! Pre-merger.” He then went on to list various W hotel properties, like Seattle, and then recalled the original W New York.

He was offered a free coffee and a croissant to get out of the hot tub. Later, while being arrested he asks if he can get it as an almond croissant? I doubt he ever received it.

As he’s arrested, the 50-year old yells again about being a “platinum elite” and then that he’s a “silver platinum elite.. Bonvoy… I’m being human trafficked.” He says he’s a local, who grew up in the area with his “tax-evading parents” who used to bring him to the Ritz. He then starts talking about the history of the nearby Hyatt Regency.

While being walked out of the property he again starts talking about Marriott Bonvoy, asking the officers to contact the program (presumably they should explain that he’s just a loyal customer). And as he crosses paths with the valet, handcuffed and being led out by an officer, he asks “can I get a water?” Finally as he’s put into a police cruiser he yells that people should Google what happened to SPG.

After the trespassing self-proclaimed lifetime elite is taken away, the video closes with officers talking amongst themselves about whether and how to trump up charges beyond just trespassing. They reject disorderly conduct but settle on resisting arrest because the officer “had to” use force (“throw him into the $%@#ing wall”).

Radisson Hotels in Europe, Middle East, and Africa used to have an elite benefit called “Our World, Your Lounge.” Their elites were welcome on property, even when not staying as a guest. This was limited to the lobby, but they offered complimentary coffee and soft drinks. That’s hospitality.

GHA Discovery promotes offers to bring people on property when not staying as a guest. And many hotels offer resort passes for sale to non-guests. This man apparently didn’t buy one.

To be sure, the man in the hot tub at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota doesn’t seem to be acting, or speaking, rationally. But what Marriott did to the Starwood program after acquiring the chain and folding it into the Bonvoy program could drive anyone crazy.

(HT: tommy777)

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