Standard Hotel Turns Away Sailor During Fleet Week, Issues Apology
The Standard Hotel has been forced to make a grovelling apology after it emerged that one of their employees turned away a naval soldier from entering its swanky rooftop during Fleet Week.
The incident took place on Saturday night when the sailor, who is trying to remain anonymous throughout this entire debacle, decided to try and enter the fancy establishment’s rooftop alongside her family.
However, when she was at the entrance for the Top Of The Standard, the bouncer in attendance took a close look at her U.S. Navy officer uniform and decided that it was inappropriate attire for the venue upstairs. According to CBS Local, the bouncer then explained that there is a dress code to get in upstairs, before then blocking their way onto the elevator that would take them up.
The furious family then decided to take this issue to the hotel front desk staff. But after they explained the situation to a posse of employees they were told that staff left the dress code up to the decision of the rooftop lounge.
One family member who was there as the incident unfolded reportedly later took to Facebook to angrily protest, “Apparently being willing to die for your country isn’t fashionable enough.”
Speaking to NY Daily News, Ryan O’Connor, who is the husband of the sailor’s cousin explained, “We walked in, went to the elevator and were stopped by a doorman who said, ‘Hey man, there’s a dress code.’ I said, ‘Wait, are you rejecting us because someone is in a service uniform?’ He kind of rolled his eyes and wouldn’t budge. I was wearing a $400 blazer and dress shoes. We were all dressed nice. The only person sticking out was the Navy officer.”
The Standard Hotel has since looked to quell the situation by releasing an apology. Their statement read, “We hold those serving in the United States Armed Forces in the highest regard. This was a mistake and we sincerely apologize.”
Unfortunately for the sailor this apology comes a little too late as the woman in question has now returned to duty, but The Standard Hotel has told her family that she and them can return with their friends anytime and they’ll be granted access.
[Image via Mario Tama/Getty Images]
