Maybe Hotel Guests Need Tracking Devices

The Daily News reports that a 70 year-old Japanese tourist was lost for two days on the Upper East Side until another Japanese couple found her. Not only did Takako Maedo not remember that she was staying at the Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue, she had no money and couldn't speak English to get buy. Maedo's daughter said that they were separated at St. Patrick's, and had filed a police report. However, it was only when Maedo walked into Satoru and Tomoe Kuwajima Upper East Side building, surviving by drinking water "left on the street next to a pay phone" (*shudder*) that the mystery was solved; the Kuwajimas were the first Japanese-speaking people Maedo had come across (she didn't think the police could help her) and after giving her some green tea and bread, they called the Japanese Consulate, who probably has an APB for missing Japanese elders in NYC.

This makes Gothamist wonder if perhaps some hotels should offer "guest tracking devices" for the guests who need them (not the people having clandestine affairs), because we're sure that there are a ton of visitors to New York who get lost. In fact, maybe hotels should offer cellphones or walkie talkies to guests that connect back to the concierge, so they can be coached as to how to get back.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on September 13, 2005 11:05 AM

Comments [rss]

Tom

that's a GREAT idea...lets try and keep track of all the brainless morons that visit this city every year...

copy editor

Yes, but editor, do you prefer publicly harassing writers who can't copy edit themselves or harassing writers who can't copy edit themselves while in public.

Just trying to make sure we're all on the same (very well proofread) page here.

lol.

editor

"to get buy"

I am pleased to see that my policy of harassing writers who can't copy edit themselves in public has spread.

Adman

She works at an ad agency too. Hopefully she's not a copy writer!

Awesome-O

After coming down with shochu-induced dimentia, I got lost in Hiroshima and couldn't find my way back to the ryokan I was staying in. I wandered them twisty Japanese streets for 4 hours until finally finding the place.

Jim

It seems the Gothamist writers, like the subjects of their posts, are suffering from dementia.

Jen

Well, I was wondering if she was suffering from dementia, but in London, I've been lost quite a few times. There are many brands of a hotel in the same city, and you end up going to one only to realize you're at a different one.

timbnyc

"to get buy" is even worse than the "seven one-hit innings" yesterday (so that's seven hits total, right?). What's the deal?

gothamistreader

to get BUY? tsk tsk...

Dave H.

The few times I've been to Asia, I've found it's not uncommon for hotels to give guests business cards with the name of and directions to the hotel where they're staying in a native language that can be shown to cab drivers or anyone in particular if you happen to get lost. This particular person, unfortunately, sounds like she is suffering from some form of dementia.