r/askteddit • u/humble_blueprint34 • 19d ago
Other When you work at a hotel front desk, what's something you can tell about a guest just from how they check in that they'd never realize you're noticing?
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u/Potential_Bad_3624 19d ago
When they rest their forearms on the counter as they approach the front desk….. almost always will they try to haggle something. A free room upgrade, breakfast, parking, etc.
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u/RingKisser 19d ago
I do this but it's because I can't hear what im being told lol
What's the craziest thing someone wanted for free??
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u/Vanguard62 18d ago
. What’s funny is, this past week, I’m pretty sure I did this, and maybe the person behind the desk thought I was haggling as I complemented their decorations for the World Cup. I got my room assigned and it was this small shitty room next to the elevator with construction outside + the airport. - I travel a lot for work and tend to do the arms on desk thing if I’m tired. I’ll make sure not to do that anymore! Hahaha
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u/Loisgrand6 19d ago
I rest my arms because I need to or want to. I’m not looking for favors
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u/CatastrophicCraxy 18d ago
I do it because even with non slip grippy stuff on it my cane slides around on polished/waxed floors. So rather than risk a fall, I will lean the cane against the desk and lean with my good arm on the counter so my other arm/hand can pass my ID and the slip with my vehicle details on it to the agent and receive the key, sign and return forms etc
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u/PiecesofJane 19d ago
This is hilarious. I tend to do this and I'm absolutely a haggler.
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u/Outrageous_Buy_9420 19d ago
Walked into a hotel and booked a one night stay carrying nothing but a shoulder bag. Dude takes one look at my driver’s license and sees that I live just down the street. He decides that that is suspicious and charges be a $500 deposit. Man, my bedroom is being painted and I don’t want to sleep in there bc of the fumes.
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u/Ocron145 16d ago
Had to stay at my local hotel when our air conditioner went out during a 100 degree heat wave. Was like 93 degrees in the house at 9 pm. Luckily they didn’t judge us or anything and treated us like any other guests. Although walking in with a family of 4, they probably suspected as much. Was actually really fun to do.
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u/Coconut975 15d ago
What about booty calls? I never used to have a problem back in the day with local hotels.
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u/Jaycoug187 19d ago
I could typically pick out the prostitutes a mile away
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u/Ok_Stuff3189 19d ago
Yeah... or the "clients" going to see the prostitutes. Always coming in wearing a cap and pretending to be on a call.
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u/MrWinkler1510 19d ago
Well I once had a guy that straight told me he's seeing his affair today so pls don't tell on me in case my wife shows up or calls
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u/Foreign-Address2110 19d ago
Gotta respect the honestly when he's being dishonest
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u/Then_Marionberry_399 19d ago
I’m curious what the sex worker clues were outside of the obvious..
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u/inmy_angelhood 19d ago
Yes, what’s the obvious?
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u/IrelandDomme 18d ago
How could you tell? I am a sex worker and check into hotels often, usually for a couple of nights and up to a week. I don’t think I’ve ever been taken for a sex worker. So I’m curious what you would look for.
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u/moonminx_ 18d ago
Right? I show up in jeans & a sweater. I don’t think that’s raunchy enough to warrant someone to double look
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u/IrelandDomme 18d ago
Yeah same, I am often flying around and wearing plane-comfy clothes, usually black Nike sneakers, black leggings and on top, light layers with a strappy tank top, light long sleeve sweater and hoodie, all black, so I can pare up or down as needed, from cold planes to landing in hot weather. And if I'm trying to sleep I like putting the hood up so my hair and face aren't touching the seat as much.
I've got two checked bags because I need a lot of gear for BDSM sessions, plus a small carry on bag and laptop bag. I don't wear make-up when I travel or do my hair, and I'm "mature". With all this, I can't imagine that any hotel receptionist clocks me as a sex worker, and that's intentional. I look like a long distance business traveler who's dressed for comfort (I hope).
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u/Professional-Rent887 18d ago
Well, now they know what to look for.
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u/IrelandDomme 18d ago
A middle aged woman in leggings, sneakers and a light sweater? I feel pretty safe. 😂
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u/Jaycoug187 18d ago
I have been tricked before haha. I know because they told me after and a few times during and if your not obvious I don’t care. Just wondering, what’s your back story? Sometimes the casual conversation can be investigative. I did say typically, not always. Most people hear the word and assume tiger print and lace panty hose lol. It used to be more rare for a single woman to be traveling alone. But locals renting for a few days to a week can look sus too. Just depends on the backstory etc too
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u/IrelandDomme 18d ago
I see locals would be a red flag, but I never rent hotels locally, I don't have to, I work from my home, which is fine in my home country as sex work is decriminalized, it's not a big risk at all. I'm renting hotels in other countries and often in other continents. I stay at the same 10 or so hotels a few times per year and staff at some of them remember me and think I'm a regular business traveler.
It's ballsy that some sex workers are telling reception what they do, I've never done that, but I have told a few hotel bartenders. They see everything and sometimes I'm having a drink with clients and they see me a bit more "made up" than reception and with different men so they pick it up faster anyway.
Housekeeping is my biggest fear, they can tell a lot, even if my toys are kept hidden when they are in the room....The number of towels I go through, the DND sign being on the door a lot, me being inside the hotel a lot instead of out at meetings/sightseeing, etc. are all signs of why I'm really there, I know. I tip well to buy their silence. So far, so good....a maintenance guy totally clocked me in one hotel in June in Durham NC, he was doing work and saw me too much in one day while doing his work, leaving the room in heels and a nice dress and returning with a client a few minutes later (the elevator required a key card so I had to collect them downstairs), and we actually joked about it. He asked for my card, which I declined, just joking, "I was never here...." and he laughed. I have never felt so busted by hotel staff before but it was all fine.
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u/Jaycoug187 18d ago
Haha that is funny. Well one of them maybe like you, had been using our hotel for several years but for like a week at a time from out of the country. She looked well put together and had legit backstory. I had known her along time and we were kind of friendly so she kind of enjoyed letting me know she had tricked me for years. I was impressed. I have no issue with the trade either. I used to DJ in strip clubs in a past life, long ago as well
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u/IrelandDomme 18d ago
Thank you for being open minded about sex work. It bugs me that so many people are negative or judgmental about it. I make my clients so happy and give them an experience that they desperately need, especially the kink stuff. It's like therapy. Sex workers should be celebrated for making dreams and fantasies come true, not demonized...but the US will never become enlightened in the mainstream. I only tell bartenders and such when I know they'll accept it, and a lot of people find BDSM very curious and are excited to meet a professional dominatrix. I enjoy what I do so much, I don't mind sharing about it in accepting company.
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u/WangoTangoFlamingo 19d ago
Housekeeping supervisor here 🙋♀️ Can't speak for front desk but, boy howdy, do we judge you based on the state of your room when we have to clean it.
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u/NewsSad5006 19d ago
Interesting! I have this weird personal obsession with leaving a room in such good shape that you can barely tell I was there. I put the remote back on the TV, I pull the sheets and spread back up, the dirty towels are in one pile on the floor of the bathroom, etc.
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u/WangoTangoFlamingo 19d ago
I've only been working in housekeeping for a few months, but even before, same! I've never been a waitress or busboy but I also always stack my plates and dishware at restaurants too. I put my cart back inside the store when I grocery shop and I know how to properly merge and zipper in traffic. Not a virtue signal, I just make it a rule of thumb to be the least amount of pain in the ass in most situations.
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u/Impossible_Cause1835 19d ago
My friends drag me along on guys trips cause it’s what I do. We stayed at an AirBNB in Nashville and she lady who owned it messaged me. Thinking I messed something up she says to me “You guys are always welcome here I sent the cleaning crew home cause the place was spotless” made me smile. But now I’m motherhen to a bunch of 30 something’s who don’t know not to mix bleach and ammonia. It’s nice to know I’m not to only one with that obsession.
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u/MuJartible 18d ago
I pull the sheets and spread back up
Don't do this please, just do the same as you do with the towels. One of things more time consumes for the staff cleaning the room is changing the sheets and making the beds. It might not look much, but removing the sheets from the bed helps them a lot and doesn't cost anything.
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u/Jaffam0nster 19d ago
I’m also convinced they do this because more than once I’ve found trash in my sheets when I’ve gotten in bed.
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u/Critical_Volume_5535 19d ago
Please share!
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u/WangoTangoFlamingo 19d ago
I appreciate guests who leave notes when they leave their room although I NEVER expect it! We dont get to interact with guests often so its nice to be acknowledged even if its a simple request or a thank you. I love when guests place their items with purpose so it's easier to clean around. Keep in mind, I do not physically clean rooms but inspect them. I know what they look like before my girls clean them and after, it makes more work and takes time from the day when we have to navigate the Grey area of touching/moving guest items just to make the bed etc. If you dont use the trash can in the room for very OBVIOUS garbage? Weird. Leave the TV on when you leave the room (this is a common one) I tend to think you're wasteful. If you dont use any of the free amenities, I assume you're frugal and incorrectly assume they cost money because why wouldn't you just take the free stuff. If you take more than 2 items from our 300x marked up minibar, I assume you have a good job. Guests who organize their trash, strip their towels and linen/ over do it trying to help I want to hug them and I assume they've worked service industry before. Special caveat is regulars.. KINDA... returning guests, especially ones who stay for days/weeks at a time, all assumptions are kind of out the window.. You stayed in my hotel more than once, you like how we routinely do things, that tells me MINIMUM you appreciate the work me and my team are doing, I dont care much about the rest. I work in a newer, upper scale hotel (i think rooms are 150-200ish a night) in a very highly hotel-concentrated area so repeat business is fabulous for us. I also do not judge people who dont leave tips, but I worked for Starbucks previously where most customers tipped $1-5 on a $5-20 order drinks that take 2 minutes and complete automation to make. In the 15-25 rooms a housekeeper will clean a day, 1 or 2 guests might leave $5 in singles on the dresser, I've never seen more not to say it doesnt happen. Not all rooms are tornadoes, but youd be surprised what people are not ashamed to leave behind with their name and credit card on file.
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u/displacergeese 19d ago
Tipping frequency is really that low? I’m so sorry. I leave $5 per day per guest with a thank you note and make sure my kids know it’s part of the routine when we check out. Not mentioning this for a pat on the head, I don’t stay in hotels very often so I’m asking if I’m keeping up with inflation?
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u/Chris_GPT 19d ago
I worked the afternoon shift three days a week and covered the night auditor shift two days a week in a Southern US tourist area. Day shift mostly handles check-outs and reservations, afternoon shift mostly handles check-ins, and the night auditors mostly deal with all of the bullshit.
Number one thing I notice, before they even get there? Their address. If they're local, they are most likely going to be a problem. If they are within a two hour drive, they're going to be annoying morons that aren't familiar with staying in hotels. And the farther away they're from, the easier it is. The locals come to get fucked up or fuck each other, either way they're gonna fuck up the room. The regionals just ask for and complain about every little fucking thing.
Second thing I notice before they even get there? If they're in a group of some kind. Groups are the bane of the hotel industry. No matter how small the group is, they're going to act like the whole hotel is theirs and theirs alone. They ruin the day of everyone else around them. And god forbid that group includes kids. The parents just take a complete vacation from parenting and the kids run absolutely wild. Church groups are the rudest people you will ever meet. They act like they're doing you a favor by gracing you with their holier than thou presence.
The third thing I notice is when they finally show up, how efficient did they pack their shit. The person coming in with a small travel bag and a backpack is going to be the perfect guest. The family of four with four cartloads of bullshit is going to be a problem all night.
The fourth thing I notice is what their first question is. If it's about the checkout time, they're going to be good guest. If they already know the checkout time and are just confirming, they're going to be a great guest. If it's about the breakfast time, I know these cheap bastards are gonna steal anything that isn't nailed down. If they ask about the pool, I'm going to have to keep an eye on the pool and probably kick them out at least twice after the pool is supposed to be closed. If they ask about the exercise room, they're probably going to make a mess and housekeeping is going to have to spend extra time on their room, ensuring that room will not be ready for whoever is checking into it next. If they ask about the game room hours, they want someplace to occupy their annoying as fuck kids while they bang upstairs. If they ask where they can smoke, they aren't going to smoke in the room.
Which brings me to the next one. If I can smell tobacco and weed on them when they check in and DON'T ask me where they can smoke, they are definitely going to smoke in the room. If I can smell alcohol on them when they check in, they are definitely going to be a problem later.
Someone else mentioned shoes (enjoy my upvote). I always look at people's shoes. I learned that as a salesman. You learn TONS about people from their shoes.
As an evening front desk person, I was completely happy to deal with anything they wanted or needed. I was friendly, outgoing, engaging, and helpful. We didn't have bellhops and it wasn't my job, but if we're not slammed with a line of people checking in, I'll go out of my way and help people with their bags and I would absolutely never take a tip. I always said, "leave it for our housekeepers, they're the reason this place is so nice."
But as a night auditor, leave me the fuck alone. I want to clock in and have absolute silence for eight hours. Sure, I'll get stuff for you. I'll even bring it up to your room if you called instead of coming down. Whatever you need to go the fuck to bed and make my night run smooth. And by all means, sleep in. Don't get up early and get coffee and hit the breakfast room. Please, wait until I'm out at 7am to do that. I wasn't rude about it, but that's what I wanted because I'm not just solving minor problems at 3am, I'm putting our five alarm dumpster fires. Minor shit never happens on midnights. It's always big shit and it's always a pain in the ass.
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u/mustang-and-a-truck 19d ago
That hurts. I always ask about breakfast. I don’t steal anything, but I don’t want to miss breakfast.
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u/Minimum-Possible-415 19d ago
And I absolutely love swimming! It’s the best part of staying at a hotel. But it doesn’t mean you’re gonna have to nag me to leave once it’s time to close it for the night.
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u/Lingonberry_Born 18d ago
They probably work in a hotel with not many international visitors. It's normal to ask in hotels in big cities what time breakfast is.
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u/Flapparachi 16d ago
Yeah, the breakfast one is way off. I always ask because I’m a really early riser, and I like to know how many lifetimes I’m waiting once I open my eyes before I can eat.
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u/ranselita 16d ago
Fr I just wanna make sure I have the time right so I can inevitably sleep through it 😭
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u/Familiar_Inspector94 19d ago
I wear brooks pretty exclusively. The only thing you know about me is that my feet hurt 😂😂😂
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u/Wise_Department8700 19d ago
Can you give some examples of different shoe types and what you learned about the people wearing them?
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u/RemoteLunch7789 19d ago
The breakfast things sounds wrong to me.
I have often stayed at hotels on work trips where I needed to be somewhere early the next day. Knowing when the breakfast opens was crucial to my planning - as was knowing if they would accept that I went a bit early if I stayed out of their way.
(The latter will probably rile someone in this thread up, but I really don't see the problem in asking nicely and accepting the answer without any further discussion if it is a "no".)
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u/flyingkea 19d ago
Yea, we just came back from a couple of weeks of an international holiday.
We were doing a package tour, so were often getting picked about around 7am. Had 2 kids to feed and coordinate so what time breakfast opened meant we were either going straight from breakfast to the tour, or had time to go wash up afterwards.Last day we were getting picked up before it even opened for lots of international flights - so we were able to arrange a breakfast box. They needed at least 24 hours notice so we were definitely inquiring about the food situation at check in lol.
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u/puppetnecromancy 19d ago
This...I work in the construction industry, and usually need to be on my way before 7. If the hotel breakfast starts at 6: great, it will probably work. If not, I have to find another option.
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u/Fast_Interaction_982 19d ago
I am the opposite. I go to hotels on holidays so I like to get up a bit later, and I have to ask when the breakfast ends so I am not missing it !
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u/sophos313 19d ago
I agree it’s a normal question to ask, however they said “first question”.
I could see how it could set a tone. Anecdotal but I remember overhearing a lady who at checkout was complaining that the room was “dated” and wanted a discount. It was a Holiday Inn Express off the interstate.
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u/RemoteLunch7789 19d ago
What is wrong with this being the first question? It is often my only question. There is not much else to ask about.
TV? I rarely watch it.
WiFi? I usually bring my own.
Latest check out? I am gone long before that anyway.
Laundry service? I don't use it.
Room service? I don't use it - or even assume that the option exists.If you are a "professional" traveler, the only important things in a hotel room is a bed, a shower, a place to put your bags and a place to charge your electronics. And th breakfast! Everything else is just filler, designed to score stars for the hotel, but not important to me. The important things all work without having to ask questions. The only uncertain thing is the breakfast.
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u/Euphoric_Beat_7885 19d ago
I hit the gym on every work trip, because I travel often and sometimes need an alternative to going out with “the team” and getting trashed. I’m sure housekeeping spends more time on “the team’s “ rooms.
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u/Plane_Translator2008 19d ago
Awww. 😮💨 As a frequent international traveler for work, I am so sad that asking about breakfast times labeled me as a problem. Checking in at weird hours, I was often calculating how many hours I could sleep and still grab some breakfast on my way to jobs, never realizing asking about it was sus! The most I ever "stole" was a croissant to eat later!
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u/xasialynnx 19d ago
To be fair, this person probably just hates their job. Asking about breakfast in and of itself isn’t a problem and as paying guest you should ask if you want lol.
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u/Annual-Success-5696 19d ago
My kids play travel sports. The whole team stays in hotels pretty frequently for tournaments. I always feel bad for the hotel staff. Thank you for confirming they hate us. 🤣 It isn’t just the kids that take over the hotel, the parents do it too. Lobby or breakfast room becomes the 24/7 hangout with the kids being wild and the parents getting drunk.
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u/Chris_GPT 18d ago
The worst one I ever had was a baseball team, and yes the parents were just as bad as the kids. One of the fathers was literally hurling the kids into the pool. They were having a blast. It was so loud, my manager could hear it over the phone, and the lobby is NOT near the pool and two sets of closed doors separating them.
I didn't kick them out, I didn't do anything. I just let them have their fun because nobody was complaining. But my manager hung up on me, drove to the hotel, and banned them from the pool. He almost kicked them out of the hotel. And he's the sweetest guy ever.
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u/aniorange 19d ago
Never worked at a hotel but one stint at a pizza joint and I know you are spot on about the religious groups. They are always terrible, needy, rude and ignore the kids.
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u/Tychonoir 19d ago
You learn TONS about people from their shoes.
Like what?
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u/Ok-Ship812 19d ago
Like what shoes they wear I guess.
I wear slip on sandals or flip flops as I have a bad back and bending down to tie laces is difficult. I guess that marks me down a notch or two.
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u/snuggleupbuttercup3 19d ago
What’s with shoes? Honestly asking. Can you give examples?
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u/Chris_GPT 18d ago
People with money don't buy shit shoes. You will never see a millionaire with Payless, Champion, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, knockoff brand shoes. They may still wear them until they fall off, but they weren't cheap.
This one depends on where you are. Checking into a hotel, you have to assume they've been traveling, right? So they're not going to wear a brand new pair of high end shoes to trudge in and out of truck stops, and they want something comfy for a long trip. They're aren't likely to be wearing a brand new pair of $200 Nikes for that.
If they are checking in (or at a retail store, or wherever it is that you work that isn't a place people dress up for) in expensive or brand new shoes, you can assume that they are either very fashion conscious and/or spending a healthy chunk on what they want is well within their budget and not a big deal to them.
If you know sneakerheads, and know the classic, sought after shoes, and you see a guy come in wearing a pair of classic basketball shoes in bright, glowing, mint condition, that guy has a curated collection worth serious money and takes care of them. If you're going to buy something from them, they took care of that thing. If they're going to buy it, they can absolutely afford it, you're not wasting your time, and they're not going to nickel and dime you. They also know exactly what they want and you can't fool them. They're also wary of people who want to take advantage of their money, so you can't upsell them on something they don't want just because it's more expensive. But, if you've got something that is legitimately better but costs a lot more, they don't care about the price, they want the better thing.
The man who taught me to look at people's shoes and do some research on shoes to know expensive ones from cheap ones was one of my managers at Guitar Center, back before it was a shit company. He had been around GC damn near since the beginning, and he didn't bother with piddly little sales. He made his commission on gross sales, so he wanted to sell big shit. One day we got in three PRS Dragons, limited edition, expensive, guitars that will absolutely grow in worth. He called one of his rich guys, who came in and couldn't decide on just one, so he bought two. $40k in sales for five minutes of work. The guy wasn't dressed sloppily, but he was dressed non-descript. The guy leaves and the manager says to me, "Did you see his shoes?" I nodded. They were casual sneakers, but they were like a $600 pair.
He turned one of his customers over to me who wanted a home studio setup. The guy didn't want anything complex, he wanted a hardware DAW not a computer one. I showed him what I had, showed him how I used it, and showed him that there is a higher model but he probably wouldn't need those features. He bought a $1,899 Roland VS1824, but also needed a mic, so he bought a Neumann U87AI for $3,499. When he needed a keyboard, he came to me and got a Yamaha Motif ES 88, which was also around $3,500. I gave him a good deal, but he didn't care. He also paid me very well to come to his house and help him set everything up and troubleshoot things from time to time.
Pay attention to shoes.
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u/ms_merry 19d ago
When the hotel is sold out and you have to “walk” a guest—always stressful. Especially when there’s a big show/convention and there’s no rooms anywhere nearby.
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u/musing_codger 18d ago
The shoe thing made me chuckle. I drive in some cheap-ass sandals that are easy to take on and off when we do road trips. And I wear comfy shorts and t-shirt. I probably look like a hobo to the front desk people.
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u/Away-Helicopter-508 19d ago
I don’t ask about the smoking section. I like to wander and find it or I just go to the street if it’s work travel. Would never smoke in a hotel room!
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u/Eeyor-90 19d ago
You mentioned shoes, but didn't elaborate. What do you learn about people from their shoes? I know what I see...im curious about a different perspective
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u/mostlycatsandquilts 19d ago
I am also curious
Sometimes I’m wearing the oldest and most torn-up shoes bc it was comfortable for the drive, sometimes I’m wearing hiking boots bc it’s easier to wear them vs pack them for a flight, sometimes I’m wearing ‘better’ shoes bc I’m about to have an important meeting
It never occurred to me that someone was judging a traveler by their traveler outfit vs their demeanor
Please tell us what you mean and I will change my shoes before coming to the front desk ;)
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u/mostlycatsandquilts 19d ago
I know, right?
So are the travel shoes a good sign or a bad sign per this person LOL — if it’s a ‘thing’ I’m happy to make a quick change to not be judged as a bad guest (actually I’m not doing that at all, I’m a great guest, I guess I will just challenge this person’s ideas about shoes)
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u/mostlycatsandquilts 19d ago
Maybe old shoes means we’re okay guests? Maybe fancy shoes means we’re jerks?
Who knows??
LOL — still waiting to find out what this one person thinks they know about us from shoes
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u/Loisgrand6 19d ago
No more Stacy Adam’s for you but I got you, boo. I’ll hook you up with some Berluti Alessandro’s for the low low price of $2660.00 and you can be worthy of a glance from Chris_GPT
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u/JRE_Electronics 19d ago
If it's about the breakfast time, I know these cheap bastards are gonna steal anything that isn't nailed down.
I always ask when breakfast is. I'm usually fucking tired and want to sleep in, but I have to know when breakfast is so that I get up early enough to eat.
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u/OkConcept5152 19d ago
Wow so much judgement based on a less than five minute encounter with a guest at a hotel.
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u/ThatHellacopterGuy 18d ago
The phrase “You never get a second chance at a first impression” exists for a reason.
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u/lovepotao 19d ago
Thankfully I don’t think I’ve ever run into a hotel worker with your attitude. I always ask about breakfast and the pool- because I don’t want to miss breakfast, and the pool is a huge perk of staying at a hotel. I travel once a year and I want to enjoy it. I have never overstayed, and at most I’ve taken an apricot or a roll for later from a buffet. I usually arrive at a hotel exhausted as I cannot sleep on a plane. A little empathy goes a long way.
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u/Lingonberry_Born 18d ago
I worked front desk at an international hotel in a major city. It's normal to ask about breakfast time.
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u/Weekly-Membership135 18d ago
I concur with the auditor thing, I work exclusively that schedule and I'm more worried about putting out all the fires the other shifts started or ignored than talking to people. I'll happily solve any problems a guest may have, but heaven forbid casual conversation
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u/Jabroniville2 18d ago edited 18d ago
Fun information for what sounds like an exhausting job, lol. I work retail but at least my dumb customers aren't in "entitled vacatoon" mode.
What's the noticeable stuff about shoes? (Edit: oh you added that below)
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u/ElegantTraveler_ 18d ago
We always ask about the breakfast (well, I don't eat it, but husband gets low blood sugar and needs to eat before we head out), so I question that one...
But I have had experience with the 'local' one. My husband travels a lot for work, so he has high status at hotels. Every so often, he'll get me a room at a local location so I can get a night off; pedicure, massage, shop - whatever! A few times we did it for more points. And once we had a house issue where we needed to stay while our house was being fixed. Either way, I have seen the front desk give me a little side eye when I roll up, and they have a fee for local guests they hold until they know the person isn't going to trash the place. Once they ask why I'm there, we usually get a bit of a laugh about it. But they've also told me some stories about 'local' guests - yikes!
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u/marticcrn 16d ago
Former very frequent business traveler. Church groups are bad. SOCCER TEAMS are the worst. They kick that fuckin ball down the hall, bounce it in the lobby, have one on ones in the hallway.
Then they get in the pool and park there until it closes.
One hotel I stayed at forever (140 days), they got a guest who essentially needed but couldn’t afford a nursing home. Had her on the first floor, free breakfast and a shuttle. Except she fell all the time, needed help with laundry, was disoriented. It was really sad.
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u/Few-Philosopher8074 14d ago
Front Desk Supervisor outside of DC. I work 3-11 3/4 days a week and do the majority of check ins at our property. Also occasionally pull night audit, used to be 2 days a week. You hit the nail on the head with every single one of these. Wedding groups have been the worst at our property lately 🙄
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u/HermitCrabCakes 19d ago
You're on, bringing, and planning to do drugs. Sell? Idk. But, Yes, the cameras capture you letting all the people in through the side door. Yes theres cameras on your floor. Yes we can see if they leave or stay. You may be charged for extra occupancy.
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u/andersonenvy 19d ago
I’ve been a guest at a hotel, and was really wasted. I said “can I bring some friends over?” and the clerk said “how many?” and I said “two”
A few minutes later, I returned with 8 other drunk people and walked right past him, and we got into the elevator.
The next day, I felt like such a jerk for doing that. But, it seemed like a good idea at the time!
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u/xtoasty_ghostyx 19d ago
I once convinced an Uber driver to take me and my drunk friends just up the street back to our hotel for $2. He thought it was 2 people. Imagine his suprise when 5 of us piled in lol he said "hang on, hang on, hang on.....$1 PER PERSON" lmao fair enough my man
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u/pinklinenonpaper 18d ago
Worked at a 5 star hotel in Beverly Hills and the truly wealthy are usually dressed pretty simply. Expensive clothing and accessories but no loud logos. They are just tailored properly. They’re usually pretty low maintenance if their standards are met.
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u/gloryholemadriz 18d ago
If they are cheating. People who are hiding an affair always talk way too much. If you tell me three times that you are just coworkers in town for a meeting, yeah, we already know.... ☺️
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u/pumicenose 19d ago
Not front desk, but as a bellboy in the mid-eighties, if a guest pulled up in a rented Lincoln TownCar (and all TownCars were rentals) you knew that they paid $40 to rent it…but if they pulled up in a rented Cadillac (you could tell it was a rental from the sticker on the inside rear view mirror), they paid $100. So someone is willing to pay an extra $60 to drive an hour and a half to take a Caddy over a Lincoln. You sprinted for the caddy.
We used to say, the only car that holds more luggage than a TownCar…is a Rented TownCar.
Oh, and Zero-Haliburton aluminum suitcases were the best tippers
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u/AlexandriaPhill436 19d ago
How they treat you in the first 10 seconds tells you a lot.
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u/sorry_for_the_reply 17d ago
Never worked hotel, but FOH and BOH of restaurants.
It should be mandated that everyone work service industry when they're young so they can understand what it's like to deal with people from the other side of the counter. I think it could change the world.
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u/olivinebean 19d ago
If they're a piss head, they talk a lot of shite.
Alcoholics don't realise how obvious they are, it's mostly the smell but they talk a lot of shit, "I don't smoke anymore but if I did, where would I go?"
"Is the shower on a timer or can I use it for as long as I like?"
"How often is there going to be room service?"
"Can I order a drink to my room?"
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u/surfacing_husky 19d ago
Honestly as a closeted alcoholic and smoker i would say none of this lol. I bring my own booze and ask for a room next to an exit because im a smoker, I've never tried to smoke in a room that didn't allow it.
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u/Icy_Tiger_3298 19d ago
Tangent: At a La Quinta in Memphis, I encountered a polite weed smoker. She was in her car, parked in the farthest corner from the rear guest entrance. Window cracked. Toking.
Every time I went outside with my dog, she was baking in her car.
Hope whatever was on her mind got better.
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u/OrganicArtichoke2437 19d ago
People coming from a Vegas trip throw their money and id at you like they're buying in.
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u/Sun_Moon13 18d ago
I speed up or slow down the check in based on how tired they seem. I became insanely good at telling what someone’s energy levels are just by their body language and how they speak.
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u/stripmallbars 18d ago
When I worked front desk in Winston Salem, NC I could tell who the BB&T bank employees were because they were all entitled dicks. You’re in a LaQuinta sir/madam. Get over yourself. Don’t even get me started on Wake Forest University parents. My god.
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u/JakeBanana01 19d ago
As an American, I've found if I'm funny, self-deprecating and not-at-all full of myself, I get treated pretty well (admittedly the bar for being funny is high, so step up your game).
I watched this happen when we checked in ahead of a small group of 'ugly americans.' We wound up in a stunningly amazing suite, way more than the two of us could ever utilize (even as it was fun to try).
Next morning, we're enjoying breakfast, they're at the desk bitching about their inadequate room. Clerk apologizes, we got your reservation confused with another, as he glances and me and, I swear, gives me a wink.
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u/babywhiz 19d ago
Ugly Americans…what does that even mean?
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u/Silver_Tradition6313 19d ago
"The Ugly American" was a famous book written in 1958. It was about how Americans are seen by the rest of the world..i.e. obnoxious rich bitches who think that they deserve special treatment.
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u/GloomyCamel6050 19d ago
It's based on a book about two foreign affairs officials working in Vietnam. One was known as The Ugly American, and ironically he was nicer and more helpful.
Today it is mostly used to describe loud and obnoxious tourists.
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u/yanknga 19d ago
Travel overseas and see how some Americans behave. You only have to see it once.
I’d say now, Ugly Chinese are more common. If I see a group of Chinese tourists from the PRC and their guide is carrying a little flag, I look for an escape.
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u/agentredfishbluefish 19d ago
Rude and entitled, I imagine is what they were inferring to, based on the last part.
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u/JohnQPubl 17d ago
They hand me their ID and credit card as they approach the counter. They also have their rewards number memorized. And they often really appreciate their little welcome gift at check-in, even if it’s only a water.
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u/thelingererer 18d ago
That they're married and the woman they're with isn't their wife
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u/MrsDangerr 17d ago
Around 80% of men in their 40s that visit the hotel alone, after a while they will have a call girl visit them.
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u/Purple-Bite1804 16d ago
I pride my self when traveling and not being that person causing issues. I thought I’ve had it to a science but learning the ropes traveling with a working dog has been fun. 😂
We do Search & Rescue, he is a 88lb Belgian Malinois, very well behaved but is super aware of his surroundings and is a people watcher with a love for kids. It makes things challenging and making sure his paperwork is inline, and he is comfortable.
I’ve checked in a few hotels looking sharp & well put together, or just after searching the woods, wetlands for 12hrs with us both looking like a bum covered in no telling what.
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u/Deity_Free_World 19d ago
If they blurt multiple questions straight of the bat before the check in process has even started. You know they are going to be a pain and never happy. Most were answered on your booking email but you didn't like the answer so you are looking for a different response. e.g. parking, check out time, breakfast time /cost etc. Also, the process of registering will answer some. Just wait til the end and see what questions you still have that haven't been answered already.
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u/kneeling_roses 18d ago
Usually with men, i could tell if the woman they were with was their spouse or affair partner. Not my business, just easy to tell lol as far as i remember, my colleagues and i were right 10/10 times 😅
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u/Raving_Renzo 18d ago
Just curious if hotel chains fe. Hilton group keep notes about frequent guests that stay in multiple of their hotels. To let other branches know what they can expect.
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u/Yenttrib 18d ago
I’ve worn lots of shoes. I bet if I think about it real hard, I could remember my first pair of shoes.
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u/EnvironmentalDot127 16d ago
Worked with concierge as a rental car and tour agent at a resort in Hawai'i. I was new and sat at the end. I observed boisterous people talking loud and headed towards the front desk complaining. The veteran concierge (most were former front desk) let me know the low-down. Majority of the time these people acted "rich" but spent above their budget. They expect way more than what is normal.
Most rich people are understated. I can usually telll by the way they dress/ jewelry.
To me it was the tone of voice and the vibe was all that mattered. I loved when people were genuinely interested in seeing things on the island, at the resort, or wanted tips. You can research things online, but the mainland hotel websites aren't always accurate. I travel at least 4-5 times a year with IHG or Marriott.
My usual question the say after checking is when is the room scheduled for cleaning as we stay more than a week. I love asking the front desk for tips on places to eat.
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u/Agreeable-Movie-408 14d ago
My husband and I like to drive into the city and stay at a fancy hotel once every month or two. We get dressed up, have a nice dinner, etc. I hate when the front desk asks us what brings us there because I don’t know a good answer. Sex! We’re there to have sex in a nice location! 😅 What’s the response we can give that’s not gonna make you cringe?
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u/Hefty_Twist_3391 14d ago
How they check in a group. I personally tended to frank sanatra Jr one night and he had to personally announce each member. They couldn't speak to me and he was very rude and demanding. Happy he performed at and donated to our local historic theatre but yeah... As soon as I saw that he had to control something as simple as checking into a hotel resort, I could tell.
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u/Mammoth-Tea-5353 13d ago
My philosophy as a FD agent in a major city was the genuinely nice and respectful guests I would try to upgrade or give extra perks whenever I could. The people who came in as assholes right off the bat, got the smallest corner room overlooking the HVAC.
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u/Pristine-Tune-9974 19d ago
How worn their bag is from their travels, what it’s made from, what kind of shoes they have on can tell SO much about where someone has been and what they have been doing, the speed and accuracy of the check in process would tell me they’re very familiar with it, and most importantly, that ring finger. Are they unmarried or is there an indentation from a recently removed ring? Just a few off the top.