Paul D

Review of Gansevoort Hotel Group

My experience at the Gansevoort was unusual and re...

My experience at the Gansevoort was unusual and regrettable.

I ve been fortunate to have traveled around the country and around the world, having visited more than 36 countries and many US cities. The Gansevoort was a good hotel with a great location, definitely someplace that I would have considered returning to stay when visiting NYC again.

Upon checkout, it was noted to me at the front desk that I had used the coffee services in my room. This was untrue, so I said no, I did not. The employee removed the charge with no issue. Upon reflection, I found this mistaken charge by the hotel to be unusual, as it hasn t happened to me in the past.

Onto something more serious: the night before my departure, I had returned to the hotel around 8:15pm by myself, carrying a bag of takeout dinner. The hotel lobby isn t big or grand, so I made a beeline to the elevators to take me up to my sixth floor room. I noticed a tall security guard watching me when I entered the lobby, but didn t think anything of it. After I pressed the elevator button and saw it light up, I then noticed the security guard come toward me. He also pressed the elevator button, which I thought strange given that the button light was already lit. After pressing the button, the security guard looked at me up and down, paused, and didn t say a word. I expected him to greet or acknowledge me. He didn t, so I said, thanks (for pushing the elevator button).

Upon reflection, I strongly believe that the security guard had racially profiled me and most likely thought that I did not belong at the hotel. He may have concluded that I was delivering Chinese food, or any food (I do happen to be of Chinese heritage, and am American).

Security is a big concern at hotels, which is understood. Being watched and profiled for no real reason is uncool. Perhaps the hotel can install keycard controlled access in its elevators? Perhaps the security guard could have asked to see my keycard, or if I needed any help? I certainly did not loiter in the lobby and knew exactly where I was going making a beeline to the elevators.

I slept on this experience and woke up still very much bothered by it all.

At checkout the next morning, I spoke to the two gentlemen at the front desk about the experience I described above. They were both very attentive, and apologetic, and one of them replied that he d check with the security team about it (which I hope he did). I thanked them for listening and understanding.

It s uncommon for me to be profiled like this, so I found the experience jarring and upsetting. I do understand that there are others who experience profiling almost daily, so now I empathize more. As for the Gansevoort, I will be avoiding this hotel in the future.