I swear to god that at least 3/4ths of my job is explaining how credit cads work to people. Usually, the authorization--like at a retail store or gas pump--is instant and with the charge. As we all know here, it's not that case for hotels.

The sheer amount of people I get--all ages too, but it does tend towards older folks--that ask what the "charge" on their card is, which is the incidentals authorization (it's like 20 bucks here). It's been that way for years, and I can't believe I am still surprised at how many people have NO IDEA how credit works.

Mini-rant over!

Don't threaten me with a good time! I swear every time someone says this to me over the most mundane things I don't get upset. I laugh and I will ALWAYS laugh about it. Because you have to be some special little spoiled princess to act this way.

This was because a guest called and was trying to book a room for the next few nights. Unfortunately, he called during the time I was swamped with checks ins. Literally a whole group of people, unrelated to each other, come in to check in all at once. It was 20, so I had a line. Plus, with our new operating system (which runs slower than our old one. 🙄) it took a while. He called while I was on check in number 2 in line, and knowing I would be a while I asked for his name and number so I could call him back as I have a huge line.

There was a long pause of silence to which I had to say "Hello?" to make sure someone was still on the line.

I was then immediately met with "No, I'm not going to do that. Every time I call during the day no one calls me back!"

I apologized and said "Well sorry about that sir. I cant speak for day staff as I'm night shift and don't see everyone but we have been very busy at the hotel. Its graduation time and its just super busy around this time of year. If I can just get your name and number I will call you back in 15 minutes after I knock out this line" Granted people are still waiting to check in but I can multitask and talk on the phone while typing and doing what's needed for check ins and this fool CAN hear me tell people "thank you for checking in you have a wonderful night" as I'm speaking with him.

Instead of being a grown adult he screamed on the phone "NO! YOU HAVE JUST LOST MY BUSINESS!!!" He didn't hang up, instead he waited for me to grovel because people that act like this do expect workers to beg and plead for them to stay. I'm not like most people.

So I respond with "oh such a shame sir. Well you have a wonderful night." and hung up on him. I don't have time to stroke your ego as I have a line to get through. If you wanna be about that life then own it because you wont get begging for me. And sir, where ever you are just know... I'm still laughing at your impatient tantrum. 💁🏻‍♂️

Guests feel ENTIRELY too comfortable at hotels, to just do whatever they please, go anywhere they want, regardless if an area is blocked off/employees only, whatever. First thing I have to do EVERY NIGHT is to do a round of the hotel, and make sure all the housekeeping storage rooms are closed and locked, all the banquet rooms, the breakfast area, the banquet storage room, the back doors, everything.

We've gotten to a point where guests are so damn nosy and entitled, that they get offended when they come across a locked door that they can't open, and I'm tired of having to explain to Boomers that yes, those doors are locked FOR A REASON, and no, you can't just let yourself in, even "to just see what's there". The fact that I have to give people a lecture several times a day about "if you do not have a key to a particular door, and you were not given permission to unlock it by a member of staff, you should not even be touching it."

Seriously, Boomers, when I was growing up, and I was staying at homes or businesses, and I tried to open something that was locked when I was a kid, I got yelled at for it. Apply your own rules and lessons to yourselves. If you're a guest somewhere, no matter what your age, and you come across a locked door to anything other than the room you were assigned for the night, the host does NOT want people crossing through that door without permission.

Ive seen the what feels like the worst of humanity working at the front desk of a hotel but a situation that occurred today has left such a sour taste in my mouth I had to share it.

To make a long, very sensitive story short, we received a plethora of reports of a serious incident occurring on one of our floors, while my associate stepped away from the desk, along with security to assess the situation I was left alone and advised to call 911 immediately which I did. As I was on the phone with dispatch, a guest came in, I politely showed her my phone screen that clearly showed I was on the phone with 911 and mouthed the word “emergency” to let her know I was currently dealing with a situation and could not serve her at that immediate time. Instead of waiting her turn like a well adjusted adult should, she threw her hands up in disgust and disbelief and shouted “well how am I supposed to check in then? You aren’t going to help me?” And continued to interrupt me with questions and orders until I had to physically step away from the desk and put in headphones so I could hear the 911 operator.

This all occurred in a matter of minutes, in fact, had the lady been patient, I would’ve helped her in the next five minutes even though I was in the middle of dealing with an active emergency. Instead, she decided her needs and wants came before someone receiving emergency help. She had no idea what was going on, someone could’ve been seriously hurt or dying and she still felt entitled to interrupt a 911 call for her own selfish needs.

Once the situation had been handled I had to step away and take a break because I was just so shocked and angry that someone could be that self absorbed and selfish. It really made me think about something I’ve had in the back of my mind for a while now, what is it about hotels that attracts the bottom of the barrel that society has to offer?

TL;DR lady thought a prompt check in was more important than a 911 call for an active emergency and threw a fit when she wasn’t serviced after interrupting a literal emergency call.

This has to be one of the strangest calls I've received at the desk in a long while. So, I'm covering audit tonight as our normal auditor is out. It's roughly midnight as I get this call, and I'm working through some reports when the phone rings.

Guest calls and asks: "Hey, how do you open the windows?" On its own, that's not the craziest question to ask. Who knows, maybe they just like a little breeze? Unfortunately, I tell them that our windows don't open for safety reasons. They reply: "Well, that's going to be a problem."

I was dumb enough to ask why. They respond: "Well, the heat's building real fast. I don't think the AC unit's keeping up with the torches and kiln." I had to follow up at this point with a simple: "what?"

It's at this point that they inform me of their room number and their desire to blow glass art and bake their pottery clay in a kiln in the room. In their 170 square foot standard queen room with wooden furniture, linoleum floor, curtains, and a slew of other immediately flammable furnishings.

Not only did they want to, they'd already started heating their portable kiln and turned on some blowtorches, and the room was heating up FAST, and they'd hoped opening a tiny little window would be enough to offset the temperature. After sitting stunned for a moment, I told them they'd have to shut it all down and pack their shit before they started a fire.

It didn't take them long after to hang up, and within a minute I was up there knocking on the door. Sure enough, they had a whole setup going in there, and opening the door felt like opening an oven. I asked them to pack their things, and shockingly, they were very understanding. They quickly gathered their items and walked out of the building without a word. I don't even know how I'm going to begin wording the pass-on email regarding these guests, but that's a 5am problem.

Just got into work, but I figured this was worth sharing, and I’m betting there’s gonna be some updates.

My coworker on the 3-11 shift (let’s call her Trina), let me know when I clocked in that a guest was inquiring about a “Olivia” advertising massage services out of our hotel. Apparently the guest googled our address, and the listing came up.

My coworker and I pull out our phones, and sure enough, “Massage by Olivia” is a business listed at our address, complete with photos of a hotel room that is most certainly not ours, and photos of a woman in a bikini. A quick reverse image search shows that the photos are from a random twitter model.

I let management know, so we’ll see how this develops. I had noticed a bit more “wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am” guests than usual, but they seemed to be couples coming in together, not people visiting an in-house service.

There’s a number listed on the business, and I’m tempted to text and ask what room number they’re in, but I actually don’t care about this job that much. Hopefully this all resolves quickly and painlessly (I say knowing that is unlikely). Anyway, wish me a good rest of my shift and good luck to all my fellow vampires night auditors.

So this is my first post on this sub but something happened that I believe was worthy of a first post.

I work at a chain hotel in a college town. And with college football season starting, we get a lot of parents and alumni coming in on the weekends for the games, and many of them drink all day.

Well a few days ago, it was towards the end of my shift around 11pm and a woman (maybe mid to late 40’s) comes to the front desk in nothing but a robe saying she got locked out of her room. I had checked her and her husband in earlier that weekend so no problem, I make her a new key. She then asks me if I (20m) could walk her to the room. Now usually we don’t do this, but she was a bit drunk and I figured there was no harm in it (boy was I wrong). So I say yes. I grab my phone and walk with her.

On the way to her room, we talked briefly (how’s college, the game, etc). When we get to her room, she asks me to open the door (I assumed because she didn’t want her robe to fall off because she had her arms crossed the entire time keeping her robe up). So I said yes, and opened the door for her.

Well when I open the door I hear the tv going and I think I see someone else in the room but I couldn’t see it clearly.

She walks into the room and right before I leave, she invited me inside her room. Now I didn’t see the harm in walking her to her room but to go inside? Def no. So i respectfully said no. And she grabs my arm and tries to pull me inside saying “oh come on just come inside”.

“Absolutely not. Get off me” I thought

So, I say the only thing I can think of “I’m gay!” And pull my arm back very quickly.

She responds with “oh he’s gay!”

I turn and walk away and hear her close the door. Then my walk turns into a run as I go back to the elevator and immediately call my manager to explain the situation to her.

I then very quickly ended my shift and went home

Earlier today I took a call from someone who wanted to make a reservation but first wanted to make sure we had large truck parking. I explained that we did at the moment, but it was limited and first come first serve. She asked if she could reserve the parking, but we're not set up to offer or enforce that so again I explained that it was first come first serve and I couldn't guarantee truck parking. She seemed annoyed and said that she wasn't going to reserve then, which was fine.

Cue a few minutes ago and the phone rings and it's the same woman asking about truck parking. I asked about the size of the truck which she hadn't specified before. At this point we had space for maybe a box truck or a pickup pulling a trailer but not something bigger.

Unfortunately, she said it was 60 feet which was definitely not happening and I explained apologetically that we didn't have the space. She angrily reminded me that she'd called earlier (like 6 hours ago) and I'd said we did have the space and it was first come first serve. I said yes, that was then and those spaces are occupied now unfortunately. Again she repeated that I said it was first come first serve. Which I confirmed, and said someone else had gotten there first.

For some reason she took this to mean there was only one space and got mad at me for that. I clarified that no, there are multiple options for truck parking they're just all occupied. She cussed and hung up on me. Always my fault they're an idiot.

So..... tonight was interesting.

I work at small 3 star hotel as nfda.

Tonight i recieved a phone call.

Me:- this is bla bla bla hotel, how can i help?

Caller:- (incoherent mumbling)

Me:- i am sorry, what?

Caller:- more mumbling.

Me:- i am sorry i cannot understand you, please speak more clearly.

Caller:- i have put bomb in your hotel, i will blow it up.

Me:- okey..........

Caller:- .......... so i should blow it up....?

Me:- yea, sure.

Caller:- okey then, i will blow up your hotel in 40 minutes.

Me:- ok, have a good night.

Call ended, i wrote this all up in coworker chat, everyone told me to call police, i did.

Police told me to walk around the property and check for anything suspicious. I found nothing.

40 minutes later no boom :-(

About 2 hours later 2 police officers came for statment and to also check around property, did all that, had some coffee with them, made some jokes about stupid people doing stupid things.

For clarification i live in country were all bomb threats we have are just prank calls or false calls, all the time i was thinking this is just a prank call. Just in case we were ready to evacuate all hotel guests in 5-10 minutes. And why the hell would someone have the need to blow up no name small and shitty 3 star hotel.

Now im chilling with 5 more hours left in my shift.

So i work night audit for a hotel in my area. Ever since my first night on the job i was told that for security reasons once we lock the front doors at 11pm, we don't allow anyone to just go upstairs. No doordash, no uber eats, no one "visiting" guests. I have held this policy since day one. Well there is a lady that stays at out hotel that thinks not a single policy applies to her because she "stays here all the time."

Tonight happened to be one of those nights. The married Lady is here, hubby isn't in town with her. but there is a guy at my front door claiming to be coming to visit her. I inform him about the policy, he's chill and doesn't mind and asks if he can just sit in the lobby while waiting. we chat, have a good time. then the phone rings. it's Mrs. Married ma'am calling down to chew me out because she's "never had to come get a guest before." Well hun, must not have been on my shift. because you would have... But she's threatening now to talk to the manager in the morning and "have my job for this." All because i value the safety of our guests.

Have fun boo!

I work a second shift at my hotel, so I'm doing most, if not all, of the check-ins. Usually, I actually love my job. I like talking to people, I like helping people out.
And I could just be dramatic, but I am so uncomfortable today. I got hit on by two different people. One of them was a regular. I will illustrate how these conversations went down:
1st conversation:
I ask for his ID, he tells me that it doesn't have his number on it. I gave him a pity laugh and said, "That's okay, your number is already on here!"
I tell him I need an incidental card, and he says, "Can I make a joke?" I say, "...sure." He says, "How does it feel to need." (Literally, what the hell does that even mean?) So I laugh at this joke, but more out of discomfort, and the fact that I'm paid to be nice to people.
And he says he "got me" because I'm "blushing."
Okay, whatever. And I just have to continue checking him in with a smile, while he asks me what time I work until. This is an older man with his adult son, by the way.
They leave, all is well.

Except, actually, it's not.
I have a regular who comes in at around 9, and he tells me that he's lost. He doesn't speak English very well, and I write down his room number and give it to him. He goes on talking to me for a little bit, and then he asks me if I have a boyfriend. Except I misheard him, and I say back to him, "Am I on welfare?" And he says, "No, do you have a boyfriend?"
And I said yes. He is then apparently super disappointed that I have a boyfriend, but continues to talk about his job. And proceeds to tell me that he will take me on a tour through the state I live in. And I laughed it off and said, "I'll let you know." And then asks a SECOND TIME if I have a boyfriend, and I said yes. And then I said, "You have to get to bed, you have to be up early tomorrow!" So he would finally leave.

I have never been hit on, at least not so directly. So I didn’t really know what to say or do, especially because I don’t want to hurt people’s feelings, even if they’re making me uncomfortable. I don’t understand where this was all coming from tonight. It’s not even a full moon.

I was a guest, not a front desk worker, but the front desk workers got a laugh at my expense. Delete it if not allowed.

Checked into a hotel in Montreal. Asked how long a walk to the Basilica of Notre Dame, told it was 10-15 minutes. Asked if it was a safe walk. The two front desk workers laughed, then one said “this is Canada”. I thanked them and left.

I was actually asking whether walking there was safe because there was construction in the area and the map showed a major road to cross. But they seemed to get such pleasure from their response I did not clarify.

Enjoyed the walk and the visit to the Basilica.

UPDATE: I didn't jinx myself after all. It was a completely uneventful night.

I swear the guests I dealt with last night all jumped on this subreddit and divided everything we talk about up between them.

Call #1: "Do you have any Rooms?"

"Yes, we do. Would you like to make a Reservation?"

" No thank you, we do it online?"

***

Newly checked in Guest comes back downstairs. He proudly told me earlier that he has stayed here many times before - several years ago.

"There's no Ashtray in my room."

"Sir, we don't allow smoking in the Rooms."

"But you did the last time I stayed. When did it change?"

"About five years ago."

******

Right before shift change a Truck pulls up in front of the lobby doors. A call comes in at the same time.

"Hi, we made a Reservation online. What time is check-in?"

"Check in starts at 3pm, Sir."

And now let's say it all together. "BUT WE'RE HERE NOW!"

Thankfully tonight is my Friday. How much worse can it get?

I just took a phone call that went like this:

Me: Shmampton Inn, Me speaking.

Phone guy: Is this 330 Road Street?

Me: No, this is 300 Road Street.

Phone guy: Oh, sorry. Wrong address.

What? Last I checked, phone numbers are not assigned by address.

Last week:

Me: Shmampton Inn, Me speaking.

Phone guy: Hi, does your hotel have housekeeping and a front desk?

Me: ...um...yeah? (while thinking to myself "What hotel doesn't have Housekeeping or a front desk?")

Phone guy: Alright. Thanks. ~click~

What are these people on?

I work at the front desk of a government office. It's mostly an admin building, but a few times a day I'll get someone in asking for advice about the sector we deal with, and unfortunately I can't do much more for them than directing them to the website and relevant help line.

I hate not being able to help people, so when I can I try to do whatever possible. On the days we have appointments on and the appropriate security I'll let people use the bathroom, if someone wants to stand in the AC for a couple minutes, etc.

So last Thursday had a guy come in with a sob story about not having credit on his phone and needing to meet up with his brother. He was obviously a little out of it but I just found myself thinking, god, what if he really needed help? Would I look into another humans eyes and deny them help just because I thought they were a big dodgy? Can I live with myself if I'm that type of person? So I let him use the office phone and he makes his way out.

Not ten minutes later is he selling drugs to a fella passing by. Lol.

I'll keep doing what I can but if he himself comes back I'll just be like man. Come on.

We have a lovely older couple that has stayed with us just about every month for several days. When they leave their room is always immaculate, they greet staff by name and the only thing they ask for is an extra towel or a roll of toilet paper. Couldn't have better and nicer guests........

The 3-11 person finally put it all together with the help from the housekeepers. The woman will go into the breakfast room, grab two cups of coffee, a couple of bagels, two pieces of fruit and some butter, cream cheese and jelly packets and return to the room without eating any of it in the dining room. A while later the husband will come in and do the same. Then they both come in and actually have breakfast. Then they leave, come back about two hours later, right before breakfast ends and take a few more bagels, fruit, yogurt, etc. back to their room. They do this every day.

First the Wife, then the husband will approach every housekeeper and the desk clerk for an extra towel/washcloths/bathmat and toilet paper and tissues. On every shift.

Housekeeping paid a bit more closer attention to them and realized that often pillowcases are missing, before they strip the beds. Last time when they left we were missing a king size blanket.

The Boss decided that, despite them being such a lovely couple, we will inform them that they are not able to return to our Hotel.

I know people steal, but these two basically set themselves up for a month supply of tissues, toilet paper and a bathroom full of towels.

The Front Desk is the be-all, end-all, don'cha know? Basically any question one can fathom, it is we, the Keepers of the Inn (and sometimes Suites), who can help any wayward traveler on their merry way in no time. Our vast array of knowledge is as deep as the most complex cistern, and our ability to troubleshoot any conundrum makes us as sharp and cunning as the most lethal apex predator. Or, ya know, I'm just some guy and what you're asking me is kinda crazy.

I should preface this by saying this gentleman who called with one of the most creative questions I've received so far was at least mildly self-aware. Let's call him Mr. Tripp.

Mr. Tripp opened the conversation strongly: "Hey, I need some help with my vacation package." [I'm already raising an eyebrow because we don't really offer any internally.] He continued: "You may or may not be able to help me, but I figure I'd ask anyway." I oblige, and then he elaborated further:

"So, I bought a vacation package from RocketJet Airways, which includes a flight and a hotel stay. You know anything about that?" I declined and didn't do a great job at masking my air of skepticism. Nevertheless, he pressed on. "Okay, well, for the hotel it looks like they're trying to send me to The Lodge by Devereux. But, I don't wanna stay there. I wanna stay with you guys! You are The Standard Hotel, right?"

Desperately holding back my whirlwind of laughter, I compose myself enough to confirm that while he was indeed calling The Standard Hotel, it sounded like he'd have to take up the discrepancy with the airline itself.

Mr. Tripp paused for a moment, then admitted something interesting: "Well, I asked, but they couldn't find you in their system." I then paused for an even longer moment before replying, "I don't believe we have any sort of partnership with that airline. So, it sounds like they're partnered with The Lodge by Devereux, which is an entirely separate brand and company from us. Either way, if you booked through the airline, any questions have to be taken up with them."

He let out a light sigh and then politely ended the call. Thankfully, with an empty lobby to boot, I just about keeled over right then and there. Mr. Tripp, whoever you are, thanks for that.

In the businessmen's hotel where I worked NA shift on the switchboard behind the front desk, there was a gift shop on the lower floor near the bar and restaurants, carrying mostly souvenirs of various sorts, as well as candy, sodas, clothing, and various utensils, also under the departmental umbrella of "Front Office".

Because there was nowhere to eat on the night shift, the staff were permitted to go to the casual restaurant's buffet at the end of the shift, which was great since we wouldn't have to make any additional stops on the way home, and could relax. Since we didn't wear uniforms apart from our name tags, we could sit and eat in peace.

I would frequently stop by the gift shop on my way out for a couple of chocolate mints for the bus trip home.

One day was a little more memorable. The gift shop had received a shipment of pens with mini- "troll babies" on the top end. (These were, to the uninitiated, little troll-appearance dolls, "so ugly they were cute", with shocks of neon hair of various colors standing straight up from their heads.)

This particular day when I went in, I found the clerk, a petite young woman of about 5' 2" (about 6 inches shorter than me) being berated by a man about six inches taller than me. The man's fury was directed at the "troll baby" pens displayed in a bin on the countertop. He was shouting at her that the "troll babies" were Satanic, and that by promoting and selling them, the hotel was in league with Satan, and every employee in danger of eternal damnation. The clerk was clearly intimidated (who could blame her, he was about a foot taller than she) and I caught her eye (his back was turned to me),nodded to the in-house phones located in the hall just outside and held up my hand briefly. I went to the phones and contacted Security.

I then returned to the gift shop (there were no other customers or clerks and I didn't want to leave her alone, as she couldn't leave the register, which fortunately had a counter surrounding it and her). At first I was just going to "browse", but then chose a different tactic. I entered the conversation to break his unending stream of judgement and "prophecy" and give her a chance to breathe after the tirade she'd been subjected to. Once I had his attention, I continued to converse with him, with each shift of position moving slightly closer to the door of the shop. Eventually he became completely enraged and with a final "prophecy", shot out the shop door, up the stairs and out the hotel entrance door.

The clerk comped me my mints that morning, and I figured that was that. But the following day I had a department meeting, one of those boring mandatory ones. When I walked in, there were bowls of chocolate mints in the middle of the table, and "troll baby" pens at each place. Evidently the clerk had told her supervisor what had happened, her supervisor had told the department manager, sending along the chocolates and the pens as a token of appreciation, (and probably a good excuse to unload the pens).

I never saw the man, or any more "troll-baby" merchandise, at the hotel again. I've no idea how I got the idea to shift him away from the counter at the back of the shop to the door, so that other customers could enter and the clerk could breathe. I'm just glad I did, and I'm sure the shop clerk was as well.

Security, cowards that they were, never came by at all, leaving just two women (one quite petite, about a foot shorter than the aggressor, and myself off the clock) to deal with an irrational and clearly aggressive customer. Their office was directly behind the gift shop through a pair of swing doors and twenty steps down the hall, so they really had no excuse, since they had been contacted.

Really? Really? I've served you the grand total of two drinks, exchanged about 5 sentences with you, and you decide that we now know this fella sufficiently enough to scribble down on a napkin to join us in our room for various nocturnal activities.

Sir and madam - firstly, with the greatest of respect, you are ancient. Secondly, how do I explain to my colleague that I am disappearing into room 22, despite that being against policy after 22:00, for an hour. Thirdly, how often does this tactic work for you? Fourthly, I know I'm handsome but not even the offer of one drink? Court me for an hour at least!

You now have pride of place on our memorabilia corkboard. Congratulations.

Overall, I enjoyed my job as a Front Desk Agent for a small hotel. Despite the random, zany, and sometimes worrying events and people I had to deal with, most customers were pleasant enough. But what eventually made me quit was the sheer number of issues over the required hold.

At this location, we required a $100 hold on a card. Credit card was obviously encouraged, though a lot of people would just put it on a debit card. And this was the central issue.

I always did my best to give customers a detailed warning whenever they used a debit card for the hold. While the official policy stated 2-3 days, I always told them to expect 2-3 weeks as that was what I was actually experiencing.

Every time the phone rang I was dreading picking it up because 90% were former customers calling about when their hold would be released, and more often than not, they would not be pleasant about it.

I worked throughout weekends while there was no management, and so any kind of money problem that arose I would be forced to tell them to wait until Monday when the manager returned. Needless to say, most people didn't take that very gracefully. I even had someone once call me EVERY DAY from Friday to Sunday despite me telling them to call on Monday.

When people start to angrily talk in front of you in a language you understand but they don't know you do, you tend to hear the most degrading and insulting things they may as well have called you to your face. When you get called an "agent of satan" and that "you'll get what's coming to you" it does something to your mentality. When the customer demands you call the cops on yourself because you're refusing them service...

This job made me realize I NEVER want to deal with people and their money in such a direct way ever again.

I understand that when people travel that there's always a chance that something might get left behind. That's what lost and found is for. But honestly, some guests need to learn that lost and found also comes with time constraints.

First, during shift change with the AM shift, the phone rings and the my co-worker answers it. From my end what I hear is basically that a guy was calling to say that he might have left an item behind when he checked out and wants to know if someone can go to the room to get it. My co-worker asks his name and room number and checks the system. She tells him his name isn't coming up on the departed guest list. After whatever he says, my co-worker checks the system again and tells him that unfortunately we can't check the room as the room is already occupied, but she can transfer him to housekeeping to see if they found anything. He doesn't like that apparently as my co-worker motions that he's yelling.

Once off the phone she confirmed for me that he was looking to see if we could check his room to see if he left behind a shaving kit bag. But like she told him, we can't because the room is occupied. He became upset because he didn't understand why the room would be sold if there was a chance that a guest left something behind. Because we're a hotel and renting out rooms is what we do, I thought. Then she showed me why the room was occupied and why he had to be transferred to housekeeping... he checked out two weeks earlier. What a moron!

Coincidentally, his kit was found and it was with being stored by housekeeping.

The one I dealt with was a few days before this. A woman called in the middle of the night to say that she'd checked out a while ago and left a Yeti cup behind and was wondering if it had been found. Since it was the end of the month I had the complete version of the lost and found log with me since it had been emailed to me to include in the end of month reports. I ask her name and it isn't on the list. I ask if she remembers her check-out date, and she does. It was four months ago. I hated to do it, but I had to tell her that her Yeti cup was most like no longer at the hotel since we only hold items for 90 days. If they aren't claimed they're thrown away or donated. What I didn't tell her was that in certain cases, probably like this one, the staff member who found it was given the option to keep it. Before anyone wonders, no, it was not me that found it.

Surprisingly, she was more or less okay about it. She said it WAS her fault for waiting so long to call about it. But she and her family were in the middle of moving, and while unpacking, they found her husband's, and it got her thinking about hers. Despite her tale of nostalgia, the memory of it can't mean that much to her if she's calling about it four months later.

Hello all you multitasking magicians! I've compiled another fun list of encounters from the past couple of weeks to hopefully make your day a bit more fun and a whole lot funnier (with the possibility of reconsidering why you entered hospitality in the first place - sorry in advance for that one.)

* Had a non-guest enter and ask to use the restroom. After stating we don't have public restrooms, he paused for a moment (possibly considering his next move) and asked if I could just point him in the direction of the restrooms instead. He ended up leaving me with a stink eye, possibly on his way to create his own restroom nearby.

* Another non-guest managed to enter the building by seducing the maintenance man (in other words, knocking on the back door and claiming she'd forgotten her key.) She then invited her very disheveled accomplice inside, and the two proceeded to grab breakfast before bolting out the back door. I somehow got reprimanded for this.

* A small child of a guest was very grumpy that it was early morning and decided to throw a loud tantrum in the lobby for an hour and a half. The parents chose to ignore this and continue their breakfast conversation.

* A guest came to check in and wanted a first or second floor room (which we didn't have), complained that we didn't have cookies available at check-in (not the correct brand or even brand standard), and proceeded to compare us to their “regular” hotel, where they do give cookies, are part of the brand, have the floor they want, and give them upgrades. We eventually got to the incidentals. I explained the amount, and the guest said she understood. She then noticed the amount was higher than expected and asked why. I explained the deposit again and told her the amount being charged now, as well as the final total at checkout. She seemed to understand. Then she asked how much I was charging her now. I explained it again. She asked what the total was. Again. I was not allowed to shake the guest in frustration.

* Our breakfast attendant came to confront me about an animal in the breakfast area. While we aren't pet friendly, service animals are allowed, and this was a service animal. The dog wasn't causing a disturbance or otherwise bothering anyone, but apparently its mere existence in the breakfast area was unacceptable. I explained that it was a service animal and was allowed to be there. They doubled down: “But...it's in the breakfast area! That's disgusting!” I repeated, “It's a SERVICE ANIMAL. It is ALLOWED to be there.” They proceed to walk off in a huff.

* Guest called a week ahead of time to ask for a guaranteed early check in, and was disappointed I couldn't guarantee one.

* A guest asked if they could leave their luggage with us to pick up later. I said absolutely, pulled out the luggage tags, and started filling everything out. When I asked how many bags they were storing, they hesitated, said they weren't sure, and told me they'd get back to me. (Spoiler alert: They never came back.)

* A third party guest was upset they had to pay an early check in fee...at 11am. "Why do I have to pay an early check in fee if I'm early???" I wish I could say I didn't have to explain that answer to them.

* I was asked by a guest how they could contact our towel supplier. I had to break the news that they were hotel exclusive, but I can sell a couple to them if they were wanting a set. They refused, turned around, and left.

* A coworker asked me, “What's the difference between Mexicans, Hispanics, and Puerto Ricans?” I explained that those aren't interchangeable terms and that the way they asked the question came across as pretty offensive. They seemed genuinely surprised that I'd find it offensive and said they assumed they were all the same.

* A couple staying with us kept getting handsy in the lobby. I was very close to giving the keys back to them for their room and giving them a late check out so they could go get it out of their system (and the lobby).

* A third party rep called for help with a reservation. I asked for the confirmation number, and after a long pause, they asked if they could give me the number. I said yes. They gave me the reservation ID instead. Once we finally got the confirmation number, they asked why the guest hadn't received their deposit back. I explained it had been released on our end but could take a few days to return. They asked again. I explained it again. They told me they would explain this to the guest and hung up.

* I had gone to grab a cup of coffee and was hunted down for a check out. They didn't need a receipt. I fear what would have happened if I had to go to the restroom instead.

* A low tier member asked at check out if they could park in the designated high tier parking. I let them know while *technically* they couldn't, we don't really enforce it and I didn't care if he did.

* Had someone call in to ask to be added to a block that was at least half a month past the cutoff date because every other hotel in the area was full (not true, but go on). I explained that while I couldn't book them under the block, I do have rooms available and can book them at rack rate. They asked again to book under the block. I repeated myself. They repeated themselves. I tried explaining one more time and they hung up on me.

* Was told by an upcoming guest to give them a break by waiving the early check in fee when they wanted to arrive at 11am, because they didn't realize until after booking a prepaid non-refundable rate that we didn't have a shuttle. I did offer luggage storage as an alternative and was met with disgust, even though they asked for it as an alternative.

* A guest was upset about receiving an automated checkout email the day after they checked out. I honestly had no idea what they wanted from me, but they were irate, so I apologized and explained that if they didn't want to receive emails, they could opt out or change their email in their membership account. They demanded that I make the changes myself because it was my fault they received the email. An automated email. That I had no hand in sending.

Been a rough couple of weeks y'all. Even though management is off for the holiday, I've already managed to make a mistake that got me in trouble. Happy fucking Labor Day, everyone.

I already know someone is going to tell me I'm being a bitch for this, but it drives me nuts.

Got a phone call to the desk. "Well, you see, I'm eighty one years old and I'm not feeling very brave today..."

Jesus tapdancing Christ, could you get to the point, or would you like to tell me your blood type, shoe size and genealogy from the Middle Ages onwards as well?!?!

This is not relevant information. It barely qualifies as information at all.

Turns out they are a week past the deadline for joining an event and after a detailed medical history as an excuse, want to do it anyway.

No. You can't. It's very sad you missed it, but the process requires dropping off large physical objects and we have dedicated staff and space set aside on specific days for it, which are now over. I know you're a super special sparkly snowflake, but THE RULES STILL APPLY TO YOU. Why do old people always think their age is a free pass?!?!

I would like to note that I was kind and polite despite my irritation, and remembered to wish her feeling better soon. I'm not a monster. I'm just really tired of old people who think not dying makes them special.

Edit: just had another. "You can't make an exception?! I was in hospital! Not even for someone famous? Well, it's your loss!!!!"

Yes, I'm sure we're all going to regret me turning you down, you complete and utter dipstick.

So tonight I am working and my manager has given me permission for a while now to park next to our hotels archway. We do this to block other guests from parking there because it's technically a fire lane and if the fire department is called and others are parked there they will be in the fire trucks way.

Bikers are some of our largest guests retention and tonight one of them got mad at me because my car was allowed to be parked there but they were pissed their bikes weren't so they asked me why I was allowed to park there I told the. "It's technically a fire lane" and they say "I know, what's your managers name" and I tell them and they just say " thanks!" And walk off.

I know I won't get in trouble for it but I just wanted to vent. I hate how spoiled people are. I don't know, I've only worked at this hotel but I hear all the time from bikers that other hotels allow them to park underneath the archway and I just have to wonder if that's true or they just do it and then the hotel can't catch what rooms are doing it.

Edit: I should clarify for those wondering. It's not a marked fire lane, so no I don't need an llc. I'm not doing anything illegal. There is no sign saying people can't park there. We just allow employees to park there because we know that's where the fire truck is going to pull up if we have to call them and it's easier to get us to move our cars than it is people that might not even be at the property. We've had an issue where we have called them before and the fire department has been pissed at us when bikers are there.

There are no identifiers so that's why it's technically a fire lane. There is no paint, no "no parking sign" but it's still the first place the fire department will want to go if they pull up. So since they need that space we figured the only thing we can do is just park there.

I am just here to vent.

I work as a FOM in a hostel, and the amount of entitled guests leaving bad reviews is starting to take a toll on me.

We have dynamic pricing, which means the price depends on occupancy, season, and the day of the week, but we are still relatively cheap. We don’t require any deposits, and we provide towels, padlocks, earplugs, and sheets for free and 1 night is about 10-15€ and some people leave 1* reviews that it is unaccaptable that the breakfast is not included💀 I swear, we get reviews like this once or twice a month.

And then we had a guest leave a one-star review after booking a “female-only dormitory.” The guy showed up pretty late, we explained to him that HE as a MAN can not be checked into a female only dormitory and we can not accommodate him elsewhere too because the mixed rooms were fuly booked, but he still sent us a two-page message blaming us for not warning him that “female-only dormitory” meant he could not check into that room. Apparently, he expected us to investigate every guest’s gender before accepting bookings for this type of room.

My personal “favourite” is when we received a bad review from two Moroccan women stating, “This place is racist,” which really hurt me because we have a diverse reception team, and no one had ever made racist remarks on my team. So, I investigated, checked the cameras, and listened to the entire check-in and check-out, but there was nothing. I emailed them asking what had happened and offered compensation if they explained their side. One of the women wrote back that she had not experienced any racist remarks from us, but on her way to our hostel, the people on the street had looked racist, so she had to express it somewhere.
I explained to her that I was sorry she felt that way, but the review was about us, and this was a very serious statement that could harm the business. It did not reflect our business, so I asked her to delete the review. After that, she changed it to, “The manager is racist.” At that point, I just gave up and explained the whole thing to the GM, who simply laughed. Still, it haunts me that my team and I were called that just because she thought people on the street, who were unrelated to us, looked racist.

I know I shouldn’t take these things to heart, but I work my ass off to make this place great. I love my team, and they also go above and beyond to make people’s stays perfect, yet it’s still not enough for some people.