who did not have a disability and that they would try to locate them and ask them to move to another room . In the meantime , he was given a non-accessible room to freshen up in and rest . He went back to the desk a few hours later for an update . He was told that they had not located the guests and that he would need to check again the next day . The room he was using was not accessible . There was no space to get into the shower and not enough room to safely transfer to the toilet . UNSAFE ! He returned the next morning and was told he would have to wait until the guests checked out the following night to get his accessible room ! This is unacceptable and maybe even discrimination .
Here are my biggest issues with this property other than the game played during check-in and how Anthony was treated . Each night after our meetings , a group of about ten of us would try to get seated between 6:00 and 6:30 pm at one of the many restaurants on the property . We were consistently told that all of the tables were reserved , but hardly anyone was seated at tables . When we asked to make reservations , we were told that unless we were a Diamond Guest , we could not . So , how could all of the tables be reserved and not available every night while other people were walking up and getting seated ? Many nights we could not get seated until after 8:00 pm .
Sadly , what happened during our meetings for the Congress was more significant than any of the other issues experienced during our stay at The Royalton . Remember , a hefty sum was paid for meeting space , A / V equipment , and food for morning tea breaks and lunch . The Congress was a global meeting on accessibility and disability rights and services for people with disabilities . On day two of the Congress , one of our leaders took the podium and spoke to everyone in the room . He stated that he had been informed by management that , “ some of our people have been taking too much food during the tea break or lunch .” Wait , what ?? Yes , management said that the employees at the food tables witnessed a few people taking an extra bottle of water or piece of fruit ! Keep in mind that the food was already paid for , the people who were being singled out were local people with disabilities who were invited to attend , and THERE WAS ALWAYS PLENTY OF FOOD LEFT OVER ! This announcement broke my heart and infuriated me . Antigua is not a rich island . The people who took water or a piece of fruit very likely were giving those food items to a family member who did not have enough to eat or drink at home . But seriously , is this the way guests are treated at an ALL-INCLUSIVE resort ? The management should be ashamed of themselves for this kind of behavior !
Oh , and on a very insignificant note , not once was I greeted or thanked for being a Lifetime Titanium Rewards Member as is customary at every Marriott property . Nor did I receive an itemized printout of my charges when I checked out , even after asking .
Now , take all of that and compare that experience to a business trip I took two weeks later to Dubai . I was asked by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum , President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority , Chairman of Dubai Airports , Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group , and his team to speak during the Dubai Accessible Tourism International Summit about accessible tourism for people with disabilities . Representatives from the Dubai government made arrangements for me to stay at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai . When I arrived at the hotel , I was greeted by an entire team of managers , including “ Captain ” Yusef , a bellman who made sure that I had water and transportation each day , Mr . Hasham Alhaj , the Director of Loss Prevention and Government Relations , and Mr . Sajan Pallipurath , the Director of Rooms . They spent about 15 minutes with me after I checked in to explain the property and its amenities . What a wonderful way to be welcomed !
24 Accessibilty for All To Table of Contents