Frank Davis, co-founder and CEO of Horizon Group, and his son Michael had just returned from breakfast at the Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota when they found a Post-It note in their room that read “You’re a N—–.”
The note had been stuck to a bedside lamp, according to the New York Post, and the Davis’ room was located on the sixth floor of the high-end hotel.
“I was stone cold for 30 to 40 seconds when I read the note,” Michael Davis told the Post.
After calling the police, the Manhattan-based financial consultant said he and his father decided to switch hotels for the rest of their July Fourth holiday, but the hotel’s management, which is part of Marriott, refused to help the family book a room at a comparative location.
Instead, the Davis’ checked in to a new hotel about two hours away and later received a phone call from a Marriott vice president apologizing for the incident.
“The whole experience has been very awful and saddening. Despite our best efforts to be friendly, welcoming guests, someone chose to hate us simply for the color of our skin,” said Davis to the Post.
A spokesperson for the hotel told the Post “the matter is being actively investigated and appropriate actions will be taken.” [NYP]—Erin Hudson