Don't Room Stuff

[Himeno]

Hi, my name is Bm-Atticus. I have a room booked for the San Jose Marriott which is connected to the convention center. I had two friends pull out for financial reasons and I could use a roommate or two to help keep costs low.

Just a little information about us and the room. As of now, there are six us ranging from 18 - 22, five girls and one boy, all non smokers. There is also the possibility of more people.

The room has been booked from friday to monday.

The room has one kingsized bed, which can fit up to three people. What we did last year was rotate each night for the bed if people wanted it. But we mostly slept on sleeping bags and air matteress.

If we can get at least two more people the cost for the entire weekend should range from 37-40 dollars.

My email is [email protected]. Feel free to ask for more information. Thanks!

Eight people in a room? Eesh. I know that it's practiced more than people let on, but just fyi it really makes Fanime look bad when you've got eight people crammed into a room designed to hold 4 max. I understand the fiscal appeal of getting a hotel room for 40 bucks for the whole weekend, but the damage it does to Fanime's reputation isn't worth it in the end.

Anyways, I hope you reconsider the sardine approach. :)

It is also a breach of fire codes and OH&S requirements. 'Room Stuffing' is illegal and the hotel can and will kick you out should they find out about it.

[Stythys]

Yes of course it's technically illegal and the hotels know it's going on, but don't really care as long as you don't make a mess. Just don't be obvious about it and there shouldn't be any problems.

[Moonblossom]

Actually they do care, because on top of being a huge safety risk they're also losing income. They could be renting out two (or in this case even three or four) rooms, but instead they're only renting out one. Not to mention the housekeeping staff will have to work even harder, and even if the people in the room are behaving they're still using more towels, glasses, toilet paper, tissues, etc, than were allotted to the budget of that room.

[Rin_chan]

Yes, this is all true I think. Last year my friends and I stayed at the Marriott (wonderful hotel in my opinion, just hated the crowds of people) We originally had 5 people staying in one room. I know its room stuffing, but at least it was only one over. Then last minute a friend invited two other people to stay with us.

And anyone who's been at the Marriott knows the rooms aren't exactly huge, 5 people would have been tight enough with our luggage. So besides the safety issues and using more supplies for the room then usual (which we all tried very hard not to do, brought paper cups and used bath towels that we brought from home), its just down right uncomfterable being stuffed in a room with 7 people, one shower, and limited sleeping/moving space. And never having a quiet moment to yourself after being in a loud crowded con all day.

I don't know about anyone else, but I enjoy my alone time to cool down after a hectic day.

So yeah, besides it being a legal issue with the hotel. I'd discourage room stuffing for the comfert factor, even if your not planning on being in the room for more then sleeping and bathing.

[mdarkpoet]

To be honest, "Room Stuffing" goes on so much during Fanime time that it's hard to regulate it. They can't go checking all the rooms at all hours to see how many occupants are in there. And even if they did people could always use the excuse "They're just visiting the room". So if you are room stuffing I wouldn't worry about it.

Also, 8 people to a room is extreme, but I know that all of my friends that go have 3-4 people in each room. None of them ever leave a mess, and they're never usually all in it except during the night to sleep. My suggestion is if you are rooming with other people, just be polite and don't create any messes.  ;)

[FanFicGuru]

To be honest, "Room Stuffing" goes on so much during Fanime time that it's hard to regulate it. They can't go checking all the rooms at all hours to see how many occupants are in there. And even if they did people could always use the excuse "They're just visiting the room". So if you are room stuffing I wouldn't worry about it.

Also, 8 people to a room is extreme, but I know that all of my friends that go have 3-4 people in each room. None of them ever leave a mess, and they're never usually all in it except during the night to sleep. My suggestion is if you are rooming with other people, just be polite and don't create any messes.  ;)

On your first point, of course there's a way to regulate it: don't work with Fanime. Also, they don't need a good reason to kick you out. If they even suspect you of room stuffing they could ask you to leave.

On your second point, 4 people in a room is fine. Even the rooms with one king can fit 4 people legally. So yeah, your friends are just fine with 4 people. :)

[Himeno]

They can't go checking all the rooms at all hours to see how many occupants are in there.

Yes. They can. It is the hotels property. Hotel staff can legally enter the room whenever they want. They don't need proof that you've got too many people staying in the room. They just have to suspect. There are many methods they can use to get a reasonable suspicion - they don't need to enter the room to see. At that point, they simply ask you to leave the building. If you don't, they can then have you charged for trespass.

[M]

FanimeCon does not condone room stuffing. Although we don't check every room, every hour to ensure that you are not room stuffing, if you are caught it will be out of our hands.

Himeno, hotel staff can not enter a room that is currently occupied whenever they want - It is against hotel rules. This is why hotel staff will knock and get permission before they enter your room (even when you call them to service a broken faucet or something). Hotel staff will also not kick people on "reasonable suspicion".

[Himeno]

Himeno, hotel staff can not enter a room that is currently occupied whenever they want - It is against hotel rules. This is why hotel staff will knock and get permission before they enter your room (even when you call them to service a broken faucet or something). Hotel staff will also not kick people on "reasonable suspicion".

I have had hotel staff enter my room with no warning before, a number of times.

[Moonblossom]

They do have to ask first. Imagine the legal foofaraw if they were to just barge in unnanounced and catch people changing, or in flagrante delicto? If you're in the room and they start coming in without knocking, you do have every right to say "Just a moment!" or "Please come back in five minutes" or whatever.

[M]

I have had hotel staff enter my room with no warning before, a number of times.

This might be a hotel specific rule then. I've never had anyone actually enter my room without knocking. Sometimes, I'll miss the knocking (I'll think it's the TV or something) and they'll enter, but they're usually quick to leave if they notice that someone is in the room (or they'll say something before fully entering).

[PyronIkari]

Himeno, hotel staff can not enter a room that is currently occupied whenever they want - It is against hotel rules. This is why hotel staff will knock and get permission before they enter your room (even when you call them to service a broken faucet or something). Hotel staff will also not kick people on "reasonable suspicion".

I have had hotel staff enter my room with no warning before, a number of times.

Yeah, very against the law. The only exception of this is if they are with an officer of the law with the suspicion of something illegal going on, otherwise it is not ok for hotel staff to enter your room WHILE YOU ARE IN THE ROOM. It is okay for hotel staff to enter the room while you are not in the room unless noted otherwise (Do no Disturb sign for example).

However if there is proper grounds like, extreme suspicion of illegal activity (they see you on camera bringing something into the room like an explosive or they believe that someone's life is in danger) they can, but hotel staff shouldn't be stupid enough to do this and would call the police who do have permission to enter.