OKC's symbol is <gasp> a cowboy boot...
I like the cowboy boot as our symbol. :congrats:

Is that pictures of famous Oklahomans? I didn't notice that.

And what's OKC's symbol on that "LONDON, PARIS, ROME, OKLAHOMA CITY" shirt?
Yes, famous Oklahomans ... my pic isn't sharp enough to make them all out ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/skirvin/1_26_37x.jpg

The symbol on the shirt is a cowboy boot ... so what's the problem with that, guys? It's part of our story and it shows that we in Okc can kick ars, right? :dizzy:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/skirvin/1_26_43x.jpg

The lady in charge at the Painted Door said that they would be carrying some special Skirvin items in the future, when they arrive (?) like Skirvin "throws" and stuff like that. I'm waiting ... :dizzy:

Yes, famous Oklahomans ... my pic isn't sharp enough to make them all out ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/skirvin/1_26_37x.jpg

Here's my best guess...

Johnny Bench, Vince Gill, Mickey Mantle, No clue, Reba, Jim Thorpe, Megan Mullaly, Garth, possibly Maria Tallchief?, No clue, "The King" Barry Switzer, Woody Guthrie, and no clue.

Can anyone else make out the others?

What is wrong with a boot! I can't believe that even has to be asked. Let see, Big Ben - unique to London, Eiffel Tower - unique to Paris, The Coliseum – unique to Rome, a cowboy boot – unique to just about everywhere. That is what is wrong with a boot. OKC needs to develop a signature icon.

Imagine this, take away the 4 city names, take the shirt to Amarillo, and ask a resident to name each city represented by the symbol. First three they will get correct. They will probably say Amarillo for the boot.

Thank you for making my point for me Kerry. :)


Glad to see Megan Mullally up there after her "complaining" about not having a banner in the OK Cafe or whatever in the airport. Although she was doing so with Kristin Chenowith, who didn't get a picture. Still I'd rather them put her up than someone like Brad Pitt or Ron Howard that doesn't claim us. That was a good idea to put those pictures up. They should invite all those people to come stay free and autograph the pictures. Surely James Garner is one of the ones we can't make out...

^ That's a good idea, the signatures. Kristin Chenoweth needs to be there!!!! And if you include the metro, throw in Toby Keith, Bart Conner, and Nadia Comenici! Flaming Lips, too.

Unfortunately they seem to be out of room. Kinda surprised Megan is in there because she isn't quite the "superstar" that Garth, Reba, and Mickey Mantle are.

What is wrong with a boot! I can't believe that even has to be asked. Let see, Big Ben - unique to London, Eiffel Tower - unique to Paris, The Coliseum – unique to Rome, a cowboy boot – unique to just about everywhere. That is what is wrong with a boot. OKC needs to develop a signature icon.

Imagine this, take away the 4 city names, take the shirt to Amarillo, and ask a resident to name each city represented by the symbol. First three they will get correct. They will probably say Amarillo for the boot.
I'm not wanting to change the topic of this thread, but if a "cowboy" boot is not representative of this city, what "image"/"icon" would be? Maybe something Native American since, of all general topics, that is probably the most "identifying" of what Oklahoma is, even if not necessarily Oklahoma City itself. We sure as hell don't have any unique "monuments", e.g., the Eiffel Tower, to associate with (unless, of course, one would want to "go religious", which I do not!)

Anyway, I'm good, with or without the boot, as is the city of my birth (1943).

All the others are architectural icons, so ours should be something like that too. First National or the End of the Trail statue. I don't know. It just needs to be something unique to OKC.

All the others are architectural icons, so ours should be something like that too. First National or the End of the Trail statue. I don't know. It just needs to be something unique to OKC.
The End of the Trail statue is not all admired by Native Americans (and why should it be), nor would it be the sort of image I'd suppose that Okc would want to present to the world ... "end of the trail"? I don't think so! The 1st National is a take-off of some famous New York City building ... I forget its name! :dizzy: But, it's not unique to Okc at all.

While, I'm not too put off by the boot (it is just a t-shirt afterall), this discussion does highlight that OKC doesn't have any kind of distinguishing and easily recognizable symbol. I think the closest thing would be the time gates at the bombing memorial, but I think we can all agree that's not neccessarily something you want to slap on a t-shirt.

You have to wonder if that's because we just don't have a high profile landmark that's easily recognizable, or if it's just that our profile isn't high enough for any of our landmarks to be recognized. In any event, it certainly does bring merit to the idea of either building a high profile landmark or making a collective effort to raise the profile of one of our landmarks to brand status.

she isn't quite the "superstar" that Garth, Reba, and Mickey Mantle are.

She's probably as good as Reba, at least in terms of people knowing who she is and being familiar with her work (I couldn't name a Reba song to save my life). However, if everyone was held to the Mickey Mantle and Garth standard, not many other people would qualify.

The state capitol dome is probably as good as any other architectural cue, but unfortunately it looks like many others.

I'd love to see the FNC restored in a similar manner as the Skirvin and really lit up on the skyline. Then, that might be a better city symbol.

I was fortunate to have lunch at the Skirvin on Monday as the ceremonies were closing outside and the food was wonderful! The decor seems to be architecturally faithful to the original and I found it pleasant... except for the floor. Was it dirty? Was the grout not wiped properly? It just looked like it needed a scrub.

Also, last time I was there in ?1988? I remember the front desk being on the west side of the lobby, not on the east where it is now.

I agree with what you said about the floor in the Park Ave Grill ... it's the original "Indian/Art Deco" tile that was installed in the 1930 expansion (the lobby is original, too, but of course is made of larger "blonde" tiles) ... I don't know if there's a way to polish and/or brighten the Park Ave Grill tile or not. It would be good if they could, though.

My wife and I are staying at the Skirvin tonight for our anniversay (which is actually May 14th). I'll follow-up here with a review of my stay at the Skirvin Hilton.

I'll try to get some good pics of the interior to post.

If you're planning on spending your anniversary celebration taking pictures for an online community, you might want to make sure that room at the Skirvin has a couch for you to sleep on!

Congrats on another year of wedded bliss and enjoy your stay!

CONGRATULATIONS to you and Yours, Patrick!
CHEERS!

Ok, so give us the pics! :) ... oh, it's not yet May 14!

I'll try to get the pics posted later today. And I took lots.

I'd say the Skirvin is absolutely the nicest hotel now in Oklahoma City. And we've stayed at all of the hotels downtown, except the new Residence Inn.

The service was outstanding. The Red Piano lounge has the actual red piano. Huge curtains adorn the lobby. The grand pillars in the lobby are absolutely beautiful.

The Venetian Room and Continental Room looked very beautiful. They preserved the old parquet floors up there, and they look magnificent.

On the other floors....they were pretty much gutted, to make the rooms larger. But, they didn't go cheap on recreating the rooms. Beautiful curtains in the room, with gorgious views of the city. I'll post pics.

The halls are adorned with historic photos from Oklahoma City. Nice touch.

And they did a fine job completely refurbishing the banquet facilities in that north building. Beautiful plush carpeting. Marble tile in the hallways of the banquet facility. The Grand Ballroom is beautiful as ever, and the Centennial Ball room is a nice size in between the size of the Grand Ball Room (which is much larger) and the Venetian Room, which is smaller.

And there were tons of events going on. They have all of the banquet events posted on flat screen plasma TV displays.

There's a flat screen plasma or LCD TV in every room. Of course, high speed wireless and wired internet in every room.

Very fancy furniture. I like the way that they painted the interior of the rooms an almond color instead of the standard white. Makes it feel really cosy and romantic.

Bathrooms in the room were marble and tile. Very fancy wallpaper.

And with all that was going on at the hotel, I felt way underdressed in my jeans and polo shirt. Everyone had on suits and ties, tuxedos, etc.

The front desk had a beautiful dark marble on the counter, and the old dark wood below.

Although we didn't eat there, The Park Avenue Grill had a mixture of foods, and a mix of price selections. Burgers were around $8-10 and steaks were up to $40. So, the prices would fit anyone's needs. Really, the only reason we didn't eat there was because I felt underdressed. I think if I would've had a pair of Dockers and a nice shirt I would've felt better about eating there.
But, the Park Avenue Grill was absolutely beautiful inside. Very plush. And they preserved the old Tea Room tile floor, and the historic tile on the walls.

The gothic gargoyles in the lobby were extravagantly preserved. And the view from the second floor loft over the lobby was fantastic.

The only complaint......although I really appreciate the owners for preserving the main lobby floor, I'm not really sure it was worth preserving. Although very old and present since the building was built, the floor in the lobby did show signs of age. And I'm not sure it was all that historically significant. I think a nice marble tile would've looked better. But, I do know that the owners were trying to preserve the history of the Skirvin, and I respect that. It wasn't really all that bad, but not a floor I'd see in a grand hotel today.

Oh, and The Painted Door is a very nice gift shop, and fits in nicely with the hotel.

In the basement was the pool and fitness center. The fitness center was very large, and had Pacer machines. The pool was of course indoors, but I could tell they were a little limited on space. It's not too large. But, they do have the typical hot tub/whirlpool.

Overall, Marcus Hotels and Resorts did a very nice job of preserving what they could, while at the same time modernizing the hotel with wireless internet, flat screen TV's, and all the works.

Well, I'll get to work on my pictures.

Oh, I forgot....the best thing was the price. We got a standard King Room. Last year we stayed at the Colcord and paid $250 for a standard King Room. On our anniversary day we paid around $200 for a standard King Room at the Renaissance.

The price for a standard King Room at the Skirvin.....drum roll please......
$149. Great bargain, IMO.

Oh, and the beds in the rooms were the softest and plushest I've ever slept on. I slept like a baby last night. And, to think, I usually have problems with insomnia at home. Well, that bed took care of my insomnia.

Patrick,

Thanks for the post. It's good to hear that the restoration integrated the old with the new. And not a bad price.

Anyone know if the Skirvin has Priceline rooms?

Okay, okay...here are the pics you've been waiting for. There's 48 pics in all. They're not copyrighted, so feel free to use any of them if you desire.

View of our Room - 10th floor (we were in the west tower on the far southwest corner):
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0623.JPG

View of our Room - 10th floor:

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0622.JPG

Bathroom:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0626.JPG

Bathroom:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0625.JPG

View of our Room - 10th floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0624.JPG

Outside our Room - 10th floor (west tower - our room was on the right):
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0630.JPG

View of the Hallway - 10th floor - My wife waiting in front of the elevators:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0631.JPG


My wife sitting on an interesting piece of furniture - 10th floor in front of elevators:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0632.JPG

View down Broadway from our room on 10th floor (Devon Energy on left side, Cox Center in middle, Sheraton Hotel, and First National Center on right):
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0627.JPG

View down Park Ave from our room on 10th floor (complete north side of the First National Center Complex on the left and 101 Park Avenue on the right):
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0628.JPG

View of Kerr McGee from our room on 10th floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0629.JPG

14th Floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0635.JPG

Continental Room 14th Floor (center tower):
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0637.JPG

Another banquet room on 14th floor (east tower):
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0640.JPG

Venetian Room 14th floor (west tower):
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0633.JPG

Venetian Room 14th Floor (west tower):
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0634.JPG

Ballroom Building Annex Entrance:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0645.JPG

Centennial Ballroom - 2nd floor ballroom building annex:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0646.JPG

Grand Ballroom - 2nd floor ballroom building annex:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0647.JPG

View from 2nd floor over the lobby:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0648.JPG

View of one of the gothic gargoyles on 2nd floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0649.JPG

View from 2nd floor over the lobby:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0651.JPG

View of one of the gothic gargoyles in lobby -1st floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0658.JPG

Main Lobby Entrance -1st floor - Entrance to Red Piano Lounge on the right side Check out theose large plush curtains:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0659.JPG

Gargoyles 2nd floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0653.JPG

Hallway 14th Floor (Continental room on right):
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0642.JPG

Crystal Room 2nd Floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0643.JPG

Hallway leading from 2nd floor to ballrooms in ballroom building annex:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0644.JPG

Main lobby -1st floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0664.JPG

Entrance to Park Avenue Grill from Main lobby - 1st floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0666.JPG

View of West Entrance by Painted Door Gift Shop (view from the Main Lobby) -1st floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0667.JPG

Main Sign on Park Avenue (First National Center in the background):
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0668.JPG

Main Check in Desk- Main Lobby -1st floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0661.JPG

Main Entrance - Lobby -1st floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0662.JPG

Park Avenue Grill -1st floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0663.JPG

Entrance to Park Avenue Grill from Lobby -1st floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0660.JPG

2nd floor view down onto the check in desk:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0654.JPG

Main Elevators in Lobby -1st floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0656.JPG

Me in front of the The Red Paino in the Red Piano Lounge -1st floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0679.JPG

Bad picture of the Red Piano Lounge -1st floor:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0681.JPG

West side of the exterior:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0672.JPG

Front of hotel:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0673.JPG

Front of hotel:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0674.JPG

Front of hotel with main sign:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0676.JPG

Front of hotel from Chase Tower:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0677.JPG

View of BC Clark and 101 Park Avenue Building (the old Skirvin Tower) from the Skirvin Hotel:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0669.JPG

Ballroom building annex:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0670.JPG

Sign in front of ballroom building annex:
http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/DSCF0671.JPG

Ahh... makes me want to move back home more everyday. (Sigh) Thanks for those, Patrick. No doubt you guys enjoyed the hotel. Speaking of... remind me when you and your wife are coming to Houston so we can arrange to have lunch. Can't promise my wife will be there... her back is beginning to hurt from the twin boys. We registered at Target and Babies R Us... got a few gifts so far, but the big baby shower is June 2.

In any case, let me know when you are headed this direction. The tow of you will enjoy my Texas encounters (and true ones at that).

Hey pulse, we enjoyed the heck out of the Skirvin. I encourage everyone to book a night there, eat at the Park Avenue Grill (wish I would have), and have a nice date night.

I'm not sure if we're still going to stay in Houston or not. We're definitely flying in, but we're thinking now we may just head on to Galveston. I'll let you know though.

Great pics! Glad you enjoyed it.. I might do this for our anniversary in August .. just to get away.

I can't believe the prices.

My friend is going to New York in two weeks and the hotels there are ranging from $350 and night and up! She's staying for a week... can you imagine?

This will be our 19th Year Anniversary... this might be a nice getaway for this year...

Next year for the big 20th ... Maui baby..

Karried, excluding that your friends are needing a specific location in Manhattan, the Dream Hotel there is awesome. I stayed there with my wife and the prices were less than $350 a night. I don't know if i can plug in someone elses website but you can google it.

Cool..Thanks! I'll check it out.. they need to be near Hoboken (?) W 13th Street ... I've never been so I have no clue.

Hoboken is just across the Hudson River from Manhattan; if I can drive through there, anyone can. (Although your nerves will be slightly less jangled if you take a cab.) The Dream is just southwest of Central Park, if I remember correctly; you'd take 11th Avenue to I-495 and exit Hoboken/Weehawken. (Weehawken is to the north, so you head south.) Five miles, maybe.

Great pics! Glad you enjoyed it.. I might do this for our anniversary in August .. just to get away.

I can't believe the prices.

My friend is going to New York in two weeks and the hotels there are ranging from $350 and night and up! She's staying for a week... can you imagine?

This will be our 19th Year Anniversary... this might be a nice getaway for this year...

Next year for the big 20th ... Maui baby..

Maui? Sweet! That will be awesome. My wife and I are going there as well next year.....as a little gift to myself for graduating med school. We'll have to exchange notes!

BTW, sorry some of the pictures are fuzzy. I reduced the pictures down in size, and for some reason they didn't maintain their quality. Also, the lobby in the Skirvin is actually pretty dark, so taking pictures in there is tough. But, it is absolutely beautiful. Last year we spent our anniversary at the Waterford Marriott, and the Skirvin beats the Waterford hands down. Take that Waterford! :boxing2:LOL!

The Hilton website has finally added a few photos of the hotel. I think some photos I've seen on here are better. In fact, if you look in the first picture, you will notice the picture they are using of the front of the hotel is before all the windows were replaced.

http://www1.hilton.com/ts/en_US/hotels/content/OKCSKHF/media/images/OKCSKHF_The_Skirvin_Hilton_Oklahoma_City_home_righ t.jpg

http://www1.hilton.com/ts/en_US/hotels/content/OKCSKHF/media/images/OKCSKHF_The_Skirvin_Hilton_Oklahoma_City_home_left .jpg

http://www1.hilton.com/ts/en_US/hotels/content/OKCSKHF/media/images/photo_gallery/OKCSKHF_The_Skirvin_Hilton_Oklahoma_City_gallery_a ccom_king1_large.jpg

http://www1.hilton.com/ts/en_US/hotels/content/OKCSKHF/media/images/photo_gallery/OKCSKHF_The_Skirvin_Hilton_Oklahoma_City_gallery_a ccom_king2_large.jpg

http://www1.hilton.com/ts/en_US/hotels/content/OKCSKHF/media/images/photo_gallery/OKCSKHF_The_Skirvin_Hilton_Oklahoma_City_gallery_m eetings_ballrmentr_large.jpg

http://www1.hilton.com/ts/en_US/hotels/content/OKCSKHF/media/images/photo_gallery/OKCSKHF_The_Skirvin_Hilton_Oklahoma_City_gallery_m eetings_promenade_large.jpg

http://www1.hilton.com/ts/en_US/hotels/content/OKCSKHF/media/images/photo_gallery/OKCSKHF_The_Skirvin_Hilton_Oklahoma_City_gallery_r estaurants_parkavegrill_large.jpg

Hilton Skirvin/Oklahoma City Oklahoma Hotel - Skirvin Hotel - Oklahoma City OK Hotels (http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/OKCSKHF-The-Skirvin-Hilton-Oklahoma-City-Oklahoma/index.do?ctyhocn=OKCSKHF&brand_id=WW&brand_directory=/en/ww/&xch=26223166,U5YATZ3AQA0GGCSGBIW2VCQKIYFCVUUC)

There doesn't seem to be a good place to post this (the old Skirvin thread is closed), so I'm putting it here.

Nice profile and interview of Martin van der Laan, the current manager of the Skirvin:

Hotelier brings diverse global experiences to Oklahoma City's Skirvin Hilton Hotel | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/hotelier-brings-diverse-global-experiences-to-oklahoma-citys-skirvin-hilton-hotel/article/3711973)

The guy has quite a resume.

I reopened the main Skirvin thread and merged some others.

Thanks for posting this article.

After a long dormancy, the Skirvin Hotel thread is brought back to life -- hey, just like the hotel itself! :wink:

An interesting tidbit at the end of the article:


We've recently introduced an 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday brunch in the Park Avenue Grill, with guitarist Edgar Cruz as the entertainment. And in place of our former gift shop, we soon plan to open an art gallery. We've partnered with the Paseo Arts Association to introduce an artist-in-residence program, where we'll every year give free studio space to one emerging artist. We're constantly looking for better ways to not only serve our guests, but also our community.

Sunday brunch. Art gallery. Artist-in-residence program. Cool.

Apparently there is a problem among the owners of the Skirvin. Tax dispute leads to Skirvin lawsuit | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2013/08/28/tax-dispute-leads-to-skirvin-lawsuit-law/)

Legal issues continue between an ownership group and the majority owner and operator of the historic downtown Skirvin Hilton Hotel.

Anything serious that might affect operations, or something relatively minor?

Just yesterday, the general manager of the Skirvin (Martin van der Laan) resigned to take another job within the Marcus chain.

Turmoil at The Skirvin? | News OK (http://newsok.com/turmoil-at-the-skirvin/article/3906336)

Steve had an article Friday saying that the Skirvin denied President Obama a room during his visit. What the f---? Can this be for real? I did think it was odd he stayed at the Sheraton.

Steve had an article Friday saying that the Skirvin denied President Obama a room during his visit. What the f---? Can this be for real? I did think it was odd he stayed at the Sheraton.

Not know the situation AT ALL, what if the Skirvin was quite booked and it would have involved moving people with reservations? A hassle, sure, but doable. It's more of an explanation that simply turning Obama and his traveling group down though.

We get incredibly good rates for a group outing under this manager, but I was less-than-impressed during the actual group hosting.

Just two weeks ago, one of the sales people showed up at work with free food and cards so that she could show off business meeting space they had to offer. I thought it was a smart cold call, and I bet the new, now gone, manager had something to do with that.

I heard they had to clear out at least two floors, the one he was staying on (top floor) and the one below and this was the only one who had that many rooms available. Keep in mind the Sheraton is the largest downtown at 395. The Skirvin has about 170 less.

Not know the situation AT ALL, what if the Skirvin was quite booked and it would have involved moving people with reservations? A hassle, sure, but doable. It's more of an explanation that simply turning Obama and his traveling group down though.

Just from the perspective of business decision, you make it happen. Some guests will gladly stay somewhere else for some free rooms and such, but having a president stay at your hotel adds history, especially for a place like OKC that doesn't get a lot of presidential visits. I hope there's some kind of reasonable story behind this (i.e., inability to secure premises or something), but I'm having trouble even coming up with a plausible excuse. It seems ridiculous.

Just from the perspective of business decision, you make it happen. Some guests will gladly stay somewhere else for some free rooms and such, but having a president stay at your hotel adds history, especially for a place like OKC that doesn't get a lot of presidential visits. I hope there's some kind of reasonable story behind this (i.e., inability to secure premises or something), but I'm having trouble even coming up with a plausible excuse. It seems ridiculous.

This.

Just from the perspective of business decision, you make it happen. Some guests will gladly stay somewhere else for some free rooms and such, but having a president stay at your hotel adds history, especially for a place like OKC that doesn't get a lot of presidential visits. I hope there's some kind of reasonable story behind this (i.e., inability to secure premises or something), but I'm having trouble even coming up with a plausible excuse. It seems ridiculous.

Yes and in a hotel with a history of racism.

I wonder of Obama was denied because of the political leanings of the ownership or if there was a legitimate reason. That's an extremely poor business decision on part of the ownership, even if they are as Republican as Glenn Beck, to deny the President of the United States a room at the finest hotel in OKC.

Yes and in a hotel with a history of racism.

Are you saying that the Skirvin is/was more racist than any other prominent hotel of its age? They all denied lodging to non-whites, and had separate entrances, water fountains and toilets.

How is the Skirvin any more racist than any other prominent hotel of its age?

Well, to be fair, soonerguru didn't compare and contrast the Skirvin's history of racism with that of other hotels. S/he just said that it has one.

I wonder of Obama was denied because of the political leanings of the ownership or if there was a legitimate reason. That's an extremely poor business decision on part of the ownership, even if they are as Republican as Glenn Beck, to deny the President of the United States a room at the finest hotel in OKC.

If that's the case then that's an incredibly poor rationale for denying the president a room when he wants to stay at YOUR hotel. I sure do hope that's not the reasoning. Like him or hate him, you gotta respect the president to some extent & get the man his room!

I wonder of Obama was denied because of the political leanings of the ownership or if there was a legitimate reason. That's an extremely poor business decision on part of the ownership, even if they are as Republican as Glenn Beck, to deny the President of the United States a room at the finest hotel in OKC.

Very true... it's not like our entire state leadership skipped out rather than meet the President when he arrived in Oklahoma.... oh, wait.

? Was the Thunder playing that night ? I remember when he made a politico appearance for the Keystone pipeline, they were playing that night, everyone was wondering if he would make a game appearance. I just don't know if he spent the night that night. If it was in the season, those NBA teams will have the top 2 floors reserved...

Maybe this was the reason.

I think it's funny/ridiculous/sad how most peoples' speculation about this (seemingly non-)issue (until it was speculatively brought up about a year after the fact) tilts towards racist / political demagoguery. I doubt any members of this board know the truth of the matter, but, hey, speculate on to forward your own personal political agendas!

? Was the Thunder playing that night ? I remember when he made a politico appearance for the Keystone pipeline, they were playing that night, everyone was wondering if he would make a game appearance. I just don't know if he spent the night that night. If it was in the season, those NBA teams will have the top 2 floors reserved...

Maybe this was the reason.

Yes, March 21, 2012, the President arrived around 9:50 pm and the Thunder played the Clippers at 7:00pm. I remember people saying they were leaving the arena and walking through the Cox Convention Center to skywalk to get to the parking garage next to the Skirvin and there were secret service agents lined up along the glass looking at everyone walking by.

I did find the story interesting. It was printed in Steve's blog. It was information I had never heard before, so I thought it was relevant to this discussion. Not suggesting the ownership is / was racist, but it sucks the Prez wanted to stay there and got punted to the Sheraton instead. And it is true that the Skirvin has a racist past.

I did find the story interesting. It was printed in Steve's blog. It was information I had never heard before, so I thought it was relevant to this discussion. Not suggesting the ownership is / was racist, but it sucks the Prez wanted to stay there and got punted to the Sheraton instead. And it is true that the Skirvin has a racist past.

Past maybe, I don't know, but I seriously doubt race had any relevence in this instance.

Past maybe, I don't know, but I seriously doubt race had any relevence in this instance.

So what? It's an interesting story that I brought to the board that Steve wrote about. I didn't provide editorial commentary. Few realized this occurred. The facts are that the Skirvin, for whatever reason, denied the President of the United States a room on his visit to OKC. People wondered why he chose the Sheraton; now we know the answer.

Sooner, are you defending me? You're gonna make me blush....

Absolutely embarrassing. Should never ever happen. The only time the President shouldn't get absolute priority would be when you have a visit from the Pope. I don't care what you have to do to make it happen, you make it happen.

Sooner, are you defending me? You're gonna make me blush....

I don't think you were being attacked. Can you provide the link to the original story?

What makes this story worse is that the OKC Obama Campaign chose the Skirvin for its campaign-night watch party in 2008, with money provided by the state Democratic Party. It was a cash bar situation and the Skirvin made a ton of money that night. If memory serves, it was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, revenue nights the hotel had had since its reopening.

The more I think about this, the angrier I am getting. Think I'm going to bypass spending my money at the Red Piano or Park Avenue Grill.

I don't think you were being attacked. Can you provide the link to the original story?

What makes this story worse is that the OKC Obama Campaign chose the Skirvin for its campaign-night watch party in 2008, with money provided by the state Democratic Party. It was a cash bar situation and the Skirvin made a ton of money that night. If memory serves, it was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, revenue nights the hotel had had since its reopening.

The more I think about this, the angrier I am getting. Think I'm going to bypass spending my money at the Red Piano or Park Avenue Grill.

I guess I am confused, what are you angry about? That Obama did not stay at the Skirvin?

Absolutely embarrassing. Should never ever happen. The only time the President shouldn't get absolute priority would be when you have a visit from the Pope. I don't care what you have to do to make it happen, you make it happen.

I agree. That's why part of me thinks that maybe Obama was denied based on racial/political grounds. If not, I wish we knew the real reason. I don't care if you like Glenn Beck or Ed Schultz, there is still prestige and honor that comes with being President of the United States. In my opinion this isn't just an embarrassment for the Skirvin but also an embarrassment to OKC.