Something has come to my attention that flat out sickens me. It is starting to become big news but since it has just come to my attention, I thought that I would speak my piece about it.
Fran O'Briens Steakhouse, located inside The Hilton Hotel in the Capitol, has been serving free steak dinners to veterans from Bethesda Naval Hospital, who have been injured during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The cook there went so far to make sure that all guests would enjoy their outing that for one patient who had lost his lower jaw, he perfected a way to puree a steak and make it not only edible but tasty.
During lease negotiations the owners of the steakhouse requested that the hotel fix a lift so that handicapped veterans could have fair and equal access to the restaurant as the law prescribes. The only entrances to the restaurant were a stairway, ( the escalator broke in 1998 and the hotel will not fix) or through a service lift located through the security desk and a coat room. Instead of installing an elevator to fix the problem, Hilton Hotel Corporation chose to provide equal access by evicting the owners and closing the restaurant down. Nothing like good sound business decisions, huh.
It will be a cold day in hell before I ever stay in a Hilton Hotel or any of their subsidiaries: Conrad Hotels, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, and Scandic. Another suggestion that I have seen mentioned is the letter writing campaign with a twist. When you are staying at a hotel ( not any of these listed ), use that hotels stationary and write a letter to Hilton Hotel Corporation telling them just what you think of their attitude towards veterans and the handicapped addressed to:
Thomas Keltner,
Executive Vice President,
Hilton Hotel Corporation,
9336 Civic Center Drive
Beverly Hills, California 90210
FAX: 310-205-4599
28 comments:
During wartime it is especially stupid to diss the vets! Not only is this bad business, it's just generally low.
I'll remember this. Thanks.
No one seems to give a crap anymore.
Shame on Hilton.
I can only hope that the phrase "karma is a bitch" is used very shortly in a news article regarding the chain.
The saddest part of this post is that it doesn't surprise me in the least.
I will keep this in mind the next time I book a hotel...
~m
Fucking Hiltons!
First I've heard of it - thanks for bringing it to my attention. Another reason to hate corporations. Shit on the little guy in favor of the bottom line. Fuckers.
I hadn't heard of this either...and I live in the area! That is f'in ridiculous. What an honorable (and nice) thing Fran O'Briens Steakhouse was doing. I hope they open up shop somewhere else and keep at it...for the vets and to snub Hilton!
Consider them banned from my list. Morning, Fuzz.
I didnt know this either....thanks for the heads up...doesnt suprise me though....anyone knows those damn hiltons have more money than they do brains...look at paris.
That is absolutely deplorable and you have a good idea, writing to the Hilton Corp. on another hotel's stationery...i will do that the next time i stay at a hotel...actually my friend will be staying up the road at the Sheraton when she comes into town for a Hospice conference, so i will snuffle up some of their's and whip off a letter next week.
you may not know this but Vancouver is one of the most progressive cities when it comes to wheel chair access venues...and now we have a new mayor, who himself is confined to a wheelchair...so it will only get better...good on you for posting info about this!!
cheers,
pj
Just for that I'm going to donkey punch Nikki Hilton.
Excellent post fuzz. I will do what you asked.
I had a crap experience with Embassy Suites.
For our sons birthday we reserved a suite, and planned a carriage ride downtown. This was a big deal to me, I saved a LONG time for this. He is in a wheelchair, and guess how they finally got us to our room. The service elavator. The room was freezing and filthy. The hotel sucked big donkey dicks. They sent us a certificate for a free night, we returned it with a "hell no".
I'm in the UK and can't do much, so I've settles for copying this entire post to spread the word a bit.
Gave you full credit, of course. Hope thats OK.
Or 'settled'. I need a new keyboard or new fingers, but not sure which.
All people need access to businesses - vet or no vet. This just seems like such a B.S. to me. Maybe this kind of exposure will pressure the hotel to make ammends.
Greed for the all-mighty dollar sickens me! As rich as the Hilton's are they should be absolutely ashamed.
I can't believe that in this day and age, a hotel would not have access for the handicap.
I can't believe they did this, especially to a business that helped the veterans. Outrageous!
jamie: It is low at all times but especcially now. No matter what anyones opinion is of the conflict, it is just plain wrong to treat our veterens this way.
michael: Like you I hope that paybacks are a bitch.
christopher: I couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for popping in.
andie: When I heard of the story, I just felt compared to share it. I try not to get to political but this just plain pissed me off.
curare: I wish the owners of this fine establishment well. If you happen to ever eat there, tell them how I feel.
mimi: We can only hope that she doesn't spawn.
green eyes: Good morning!!!
catch: Ain't that the truth.
ANd there I was thinking that Paris Hilton was the worst public relations faux pas the Hilton empire could have trotted out. Bastards! I'm sending off my letter now. Jerks.
dragonfly: I did not come up with the idea myself about the letter writing campaign but as I did not ever find who started the idea, I could not give full credit to anyone. But it is an excellant idea.
big d: And then wipe it on her hair!
cleveland: Amen brother.
gb: It does take the cake for assholeness.
old farts wife: It would seem that the problem is bigger than I thought. Thanks for letting everyone know that. I am sorry they treated you and yours soo shabbily.
cheryl: Thanks for that. And I do not mind at all. Whether you give credit or not, it is a story that needs told. Thanks soo much for stopping in.
phoenix: We can hope.
sherri: Sadly I doubt that they have any shame.
angel, jr: Outragous is certainly what it is.
phlegmmy: Thank you.
The name Hilton and common sense never did belong in the same sentence.
Yet another reason not to give business to the Hilton family.
I think it would be cool if a Marriott, Sheraton, or Radisson Hotel in the same area were to offer a lease to that restaurant to relocate and were to provide handicap access. It would kind of be the icing on the cake and it would also be a brilliant PR move.
siren: I am past due for one of those. Next time I have a vacation, I should stick one up. It was one of my favorite comment sections.
bruce: It doesn't seem that way.
perplexio: It would be a brilliant move on their part.
fuzz~ thanx 4 bringing that 2 my attention! I hadn't heard that. The filthy rich sicken me!
Boo-Hisss 2 the Hilton's!
:)
no handicap facilities? That SUCKS!
Keshi.
More people need to call attention to this type of shit.
Thanks for posting about it.
starbender: I think these folks are just plain filthy.
keshi: Yes it does.
april: You are very welcome. And thank you.
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