BAD IDEA OF THE WEEK: Being a jackass about the truth

With its old-fashioned charm and beautiful setting, the Union Street Guest House describes itself as the perfect place to get married – and guests attending weddings there had better agree. The upscale hotel in the town of Hudson, in New York’s scenic Catskill mountains, will “fine” couples who hold their weddings there US$500 every time a guest posts a negative review online. Explaining that it is not a “Marriott-type hotel,” the proprietors say that while those who choose the hotel’s Inn for their nuptials will appreciate that its buildings are “old (but restored)” their guests may not “understand” that it has been ”designed to look old in an artistic ‘vintage’ way.” As for the “hip, period furniture you would see in many design magazines,” the hotel is eager that there be no misunderstanding. For every complaint posted about the hip furniture or anything else relating to the hotel on travel review websites such as Trip Advisor or Yep, a fine will be levied. The fee applies for every negative review posted online by anyone in the couple’s party and applies even to those staying at the hotel, where rooms cost up to US$300 a night, but attending a wedding elsewhere in the area. That is just stupid. If somebody has a bad experience somewhere, I would expect there would be a negative review or two in the works. There is an important part of American law known as the Bill of Rights which is designed to prevent such egregious fines for exercising one's right to free speech. But USGH doesn't have to worry about me throwing my hat into the ring for the time being because my sister isn't planning anything that flash for her wedding in just over 100 days' time.