I got a few more details from the concierge downstairs in the hotel. Apparently, the standoff is in an apartment across from the hotel - the Meridien is at the outer edge of the cordon as well. Sometime around 7, someone took a family - 3 adults and a few children - hostage. I don't have any details on why, but I found out that the negotiators managed to get the children released. From what little I know about these kinds of incidents, any cooperation is a good sign (although the situation is still fluid - there were more police out front when I went downstairs.

I'm going to go use the exercise room, and then see if I can find any more details. Back later.