Making news recently is the Iron Horse Hotel, in Milwaukee, WI, dubbed the first ever hotel geared towards motorcycle riders.

You can read about them on their website...
http://www.theironhorsehotel.com

As far as being geared towards motorcycle riders, I don't see much. Here's what they have to say on how they plan to be focused towards motorcyclists...

- Secure, covered motorcycle parking
- Check-in carts and rag bins
- On-site bike wash
- On-premise retailer with travel essentials and rider accessories
- In-room storage for heavy leathers, riding boots and helmets
- Rejuvenation spa services and special riding packages

I'm not sure any of these things will make me want to stay at this hotel. When travelling on my bike, I want a room that's cheap, with a decent shower. If being cheap with a decent shower is what makes a "motorcycle friendly" hotel, then I guess I can already find plenty around.

You know, I find the term, "motorcycle friendly" to be an oxymoron. I think that 99% of all hotels and motels are friendly to bikers for the simple reason that biker money is the same as anyone else's money. I think 99% of all restaurants are "biker friendly" too for the same reason. A biker can go to any Holiday Inn hotel and get the same shiny happy service that everyone else gets.

Do you think a "motorcycle friendly" restaurant is going to treat a customer with less service just because they arrived in a car?

Personally, I don't want to go to a hotel or restaurant that singles me out just because I'm riding a motorcycle, whether for good or bad. I just want to be treated the same as anyone else.

As for the Iron Horse Hotel, I'm know for a fact that there is a demographic of motorcycle riders who will appreciate the on-site bike wash, and check-in carts with rag bins. I'm just in doubt that these riders will put on enough miles to get their bikes dirty.

Labels: Biker Discrimination