Lafayette Park Hotel &Spa

I stayed at the Lafayette Park Hotel and had a pleasant experience, until checkout. The staff besides the two, were helpful and accommodated my requests during my stay. My room was clean, comfortable, and enjoyable. The issue occurred at checkout. About an hour before checkout. I went to the front desk because I had extended my stay the previous day but needed my key reactivated so I could retrieve my belongings and finish checking out today. Two women were being checked in, an older gentleman was waiting behind them, and I joined the line behind him. The check-in process was taking an unusually long time, with extended conversation and joking between staff and the 2 guests. I stepped outside briefly to update my Lyft driver and returned to find the same situation. At one point, the front desk associate asked the man ahead of me if she could assist him quickly. She helped him, then returned to the check-in process without acknowledging me, no eye contact, no “I’ll be right with you,” and no effort to see if my request was also quick. I eventually spoke up and explained that I only needed my key reactivated so I could gather my belongings and check out. The male heavyset staff member told me he could not assist and that I needed to wait in line, even though my request was simple and similar quick assistance had just been provided to another guest. Everyone being assisted ahead of me appeared to be light-skinned or white, and they were treated with noticeably more attentiveness and urgency. In contrast, I felt dismissed and deprioritized, as though my time and needs were less important. As a paying guest, I expect to be treated with the same courtesy extended to others. Instead, the difference in responsiveness and willingness to assist was noticeable and concerning. As a Black woman, there is often an unfair stereotype that basic self-advocacy or asking for assistance is “aggressive” or “rude.” That was not the case here. I was simply requesting a quick, routine task so I could check out without delaying my ride. Asking for basic human decency and standard service should not be misinterpreted or dismissed. People of color are often attuned to disparities in tone, service, and urgency because these experiences are not uncommon. The contrast in how assistance was offered made the interaction feel inequitable and reflective of bias whether conscious or unconscious. Hospitality should mean treating every guest fairly and with equal respect. No one should be dismissed, judged, or deprioritized based on skin color. We are all human, we are all paying guests, and everyone deserves the same level of service and dignity. Equal treatment should never be conditional. The two employees were Melinda and a heavy set guy who looked like the manager, possibly. He was slightly balding. I would also like to add that the breakfast was below average. (The heavyset guy acted completely dismissive towards me. He’s the one that said that he couldn’t help me and I had to wait in line longer. He was very nasty and dismissive. I had no problems with any of the other staff beside him and Melinda, everyone else was great! Those two are the reason I’m leaving with an unpleasant stay.)