TWO MORE LOSERS AT ATLANTICO HOTEL

[imrthr]

Yesterday I returned from another long visit to Brazil. Although most of my visit was to other cities in Brazil, during my last week, I returned to Rio de Janeiro and stayed at the Atlantico Hotel.

 

While I was registering, Lis (the reservation manager), came out of her office and greeted me in her usual friendly fashion. After a few minutes of chit-chat with Lis, she told me that there is a new policy at Atlantico Hotel and that the reception personnel would explain the policy to me.

 

After I finished checking in, one of the reception persons showed me a document written in Portuguese, English and other languages which, in short, states that all visitors to guests’ rooms must register with the reception, effective immediately.

 

I asked why the hotel had suddenly taken the trouble to prepare a written document about this subject while in the past the requirement was only verbal and rarely enforced.

 

I was advised that during the period from January 10, until January 15, two separate incidents of “Boa noite Cinderella” occurred at the hotel. Both incidents involved Americans who met guys at Corujihna’s who brought the guys back to their rooms at Atlantico Hotel without registering them.

 

The American’s were drugged but survived only after having all their cash, credit cards and other belongings stolen. The police were involved but nothing could be done because there was no information available concerning the guys who visited the Americans’ hotel room.

 

The new policy does not prohibit visitors to a guest’s room, the new policy merely requires that all visitors be registered at the reception.

 

Considering all the information posted on this board concerning sneaking guys into your hotel room after picking them up off the streets, one has to wonder about the level of intelligence of those who ignore the obvious.

[HotdadENYC]

The bad luck suffered by the two Americans is unfortunate. The hotel's response, in my opinion, is further proof of their good reputation, as reported by many many posters here.

 

Ten years ago, on a trip to Greece, I was put off by the hotel's insistence that I leave my room key (the old fashioned kind, not a keycard) each and every time I left the hotel. I thought this requirement would put a big crimp in my social life.

 

A few years later, in Prague, faced with the same type of hotel requirement, including registration of guests, I was little more savvy and realized that the hotel was doing this to protect me and their other guests; they didn't care what I did in my room nor with whom I did it.

 

Hotels build good reputations by providing good service, which includes discretion and security for their guests.

 

If I have to choose between personal safety and slight discomfort about the visitor policy, I choose the former every time.

 

I can't speak for Rio (at least not yet), but in many places around the world (including the US), there are escorts who prey on the insecurities of those clients who are embarrassed to be seen in a hotel with their "guests" and will attempt to get back to the hotel room anonymously. More often than not, this spells trouble.

 

Be careful out there guys! Listen to the posters here and don't take unnecessary chances. If you don't feel comfortable complying with hotel registration of guest rules, then seek out an alternative place to play temporarily. Many suggestions, at least in Brazil, have also been posted here.

 

Happy hunting,

hd NYC

[buckguy]

If that´s the new policy, they weren´t following it last night.....

[imrthr]

>If that´s the new policy, they weren´t following it last

>night.....

 

 

Although the new written directive is available at the reception check-in, I personnaly know that the directive is not always followed. I know this because during my stay at Atlantico Hotel, the doorbell sounded and when I answered the door, a sauna boy was standing there asking for the previous occupant of my room. I asked him how he got past the front reception and he stated that no one stopped him on his way to my room. I sent the sauna boy away and called the front desk to report the incident.

 

I was told that the reception check-in personel are not always alert at spotting visitors and are sometimes distracted.

 

Another friend who also stayed at Atlantico Hotel during the same period I stayed occasionally took a sauna boy to his room without stopping at the front desk to register him although we were both shown the written directive when we checked in together.

 

So much for the "new" rule.

 

Nonetheless, the rule is a good one and is intended to enhance the safety of Atlantico Hotel guests.

[+ Axiom2001]

I would think that it would be the responsibility of the guest of the hotel to take his or her guest to the desk to have him or her check in, not the complete responsibility of the personnel at the desk of the hotel playing 100% watchdog or cop! Do the men and women employees have other duties to perform?

 

When I was at The Atlantico Hotel during Carnaval of 2003, I witnessed some heterosexual men at the desk with their women visitors for the night; I'd assume the male guests led their women over there, not the desk clerk executing this. I didn't note men with men guests doing this during this time!

 

During this same period, my escort whom I had met the day of the Apollus Boat Cruise came to the hotel, telephoned my room, gave me his real name and came up. After he had left, I answered the telephone where I was able to announce to the caller that everything was fine!

 

In Sao Paulo last October, I stayed at the very, very wonderful Alameda Apartmento Hotel which is close to Paulista Av. Everytime my different guests came to the hotel, the desk personnel would ring my room to announce their visits. Afterwards, I received a call from them.

 

All in all, I like this policy myself and deem it the responsibility of the hotel's guest to have his guest (sauna boy/s) to check in, whether they are together at the time or not!

 

(Hats off to the men who wrote thoughtfully, responsibly, and intelligently in the preceding responses! I truly liked your assessments and salient advice.) :-)

[TotallyOz]

Ax,

 

I totally agree with you. I do not like guys in my room unless they check in first. I prefer this everywhere I stay. It gives me a much greater sense of security.

 

The hotels I stay at in Rio and Sao Paulo both check names and IDs and makes copies of it before a guest is allowed to the room.

 

I don't have many guys back to my room but the ones I do, I trust. In Sao Paulo, I have been here for 7 days now and only one guy to my hotel. He registered the first day with the hotel and I told them he would be my guest for the week. They had no problem with that. I don't have a revolving door policy in Brazil. I go to the saunas for sex and the hotel is my home away from home.

 

If I did bring a guy over, I would walk him over to the desk to register. I always make sure that someone I bring has an ID card and do not bring them to my room without one. I do this everywhere I stay.

 

I had fun with two airline guys last night. We had a blast dancing and laughing. One told me the story a few weeks back of another flight attendant who got their drink drugged by a guy he met at a dance club. Everything was stolen from him and he was sick for 2 days. The airline had to cancel that flight as they had no one else for it in Rio.

 

Another story from them was a few months back, they all went out together and one attendant picked up a guy. Since many speak portuguese it was hard for one Brazilian guy to know who was who. Anyway, back at the hotel, the guy suggested they beat up the American. The other flight attendant said, "this is my coworker. are you crazy?" He said he didn't care he wanted to beat him up and take his stuff. They called security and had him removed.

 

As we were all dancing last night, you could see our hands over our drinks and we were careful with who we chatted with and what we did. You must always be smart and careful. I know bad things can happen anyway, but a great deal of caution in dealing with people you do not know will help you in the long run.