Security Awareness At Hotels Is Raised

NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, D.C.— Hotels in these two cities are taking various measures to heighten security during the anniversary week of the terrorist attacks. “We had a plan in action from last week,” Holiday Inn Wall Street Managing Director Frank Nicholas told HOTEL BUSINESS®. “We required all customers to show two forms of identification, one of them being a picture ID. We’re doing thorough inspections of all public spaces to make sure no one leaves us any surprises, and no one is allowed upstairs without showing a room key.” Nicholas said this heightened state of security at the property, located just blocks from Ground Zero, would be in effect through this weekend. At The Watergate Hotel in Washington— located two blocks from the State Department— GM Alberto Ramirezdellano said security measures have always been in place, but there are higher expectations given the 9/11 anniversary, and with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conference coming to town at the end of September. “We want individual guests, our clientele, to feel safe,” said Ramirezdellano. As a result, hotel policty dictates a review of all security and emergency procedures. The GM explained that the director/security checks with each department to make sure all know what to do in the event of a security problem or other type of emergency. After all the departments have been checked, they are checked again, he said. Adriano Moscatelli, GM of The Madison— which is located approximately five blocks from the White House— said: “We are on a little more alert than we are usually… We’ve seen a little drop in business than we normally see for a Wednesday, but we have a full force of security out. We’ll be more on the lookout so nothing unusual happens. And we’ll be supporting local officials and government, and following their instruction… Whatever the emergency, we’ll be well-prepared.” Moscatelli said all key staff members and all security personnel would be on-hand for the anniversary. “We’ll also have our flags at half mast to remember the sadness of a year ago,” he added. At The Waldorf=Astoria in New York security has been heightened, particularly with President George W. Bush checking in on Sept. 11. While the hotel does not comment on the specifics of its security procedures so that it can ensure the protection of its guests, a spokesperson noted that, “Certainly security is a huge priority, [and]we have a really good handle on it… Security is also highly sensitive with the president checking in today.” At the Grand Hyatt New York security measures are also in place. However, when asked about specifics, a spokesperson for the hotel referred to a statement issued by the corporate offices of Hyatt Hotels Corp: “The security of our guests and employees has always been our paramount concern and continues to be during this time of heightened awareness. We have security measures in place in each of our hotels, which we continually review as a matter of standard operating procedure. Our guests and employees can be assured we are taking appropriate measures to respond to current circumstances.” The spokesperson said that statement was issued to all properties in the Hyatt system, and noted that Hyatt felt that it was the most appropriately worded response to security inquiries. Many other hotel companies felt the same way, choosing to keep a tight lid on security procedures for properties in New York, D.C. and the rest of the U.S. Hilton Hotels Corp., Marriott International and Cendant Corp. all noted that security procedures were in place, but declined to comment on any specifics in order not to tip their respective hands. “While we are taking a heightened sense of precaution, we wouldn’t typically comment or provide any additional detail on our security procedures for obvious reasons— that they are confidential and we wouldn’t want to divulge them to the public,” said a Marriott spokesman. Cendant concurred. “For obvious reasons we dont comm