Hotel to Appear Before Licensing Commission

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

The Revere Licensing Commission would like to hear from representatives of the Four Point Sheraton Boston Logan after hearing about a complaint involving a Revere couple.

Ward 4 Councillor Patrick Keefe came before the commission last week after friends of his allegedly tried to rent a room at the hotel three weeks ago and were allegedly denied because of a policy.

Keefe said they were allegedly told they do not rent to Revere residents nor anyone within a 30-mile radius.

“We were just trying to have a date night,” the woman said. “We thought we might get a discount being Revere residents. Then she said they were allegedly told that they don’t rent to Revere residents. I suggested she put down a different address and the woman said she could lose her job.”

The turned away couple left and got a room on Route 1 at the Quality Inn. While there the couple was allegedly told about others who had the same story about a policy.

“I thought this was a joke,” Keefe said when he heard the story. “I thought it was an exaggeration but it’s not.”

Mike Buddemeyer, manager of the hotel, met with Mayor Brian Arrigo Monday evening. He said there is no policy against renting to Revere residents.

“We determine renting to each guest,” said Buddemeyer. Despite his statement, Keefe said it was confirmed by a manager when he called that there was an alleged  rental policy. The 180-room hotel is advertised as an airport hotel.  The hotel had been on the License Commission’s agenda to have its hotel license renewed. The commission decided to extend the license for one month until the situation can be figured out.

“If you are going to grant a license renewal then I would look at this policy,” Keefe told the commission. “If this what’s going on it looks like there is a problem.”

“I agree there is no place for discrimination,” said License Commission Chairman Joseph Quarantello. The hotel will be called in to the commission’s April 19 meeting.

The couple is now pursing a complaint through the attorney generals office.

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