Story Time
This happened about 3 years ago while I was working night shift.
It was about 3:00 AM. I had just finished printing all my reports and balancing all the cash and credit cards from the day when I hear, "Psst, hey buddy". I look to my left, where the lobby ends and the hallway begins, and I see a man's head peaking around the corner. I say, "Can I help you, sir?"
His response was, "I locked myself out of my room...and I'm naked."
Well...this was a new one for me.
I asked the guy what room he was in so I could make him a new key. Of course he gave me the wrong room number and I was glad that I double checked because the room he said he was in was actually occupied by an elderly woman I had checked in earlier. We were not that busy so I figured out which room he was really in and quickly made his key, grabbed a towel from laundry and headed out to the hallway.
He was gone...
I began searching for him. This was not a large hotel. Three floors, hallways going straight down each floor but I could not find the guy. Several things are going through my mind. Why did he leave his room without clothes on? Why would he come ask me for help then run away....naked? After checking all three floors I headed back down to the desk. I take one last glance down the first floor hallway and here he comes. I wish he had stayed lost. I threw the towel and the room key at him and told him to have a good night. He called me a little while later to thank me and to express his embarrassment. He said that he was just going across the hall to the vending machine and the door shut on him. How bad did he need that Snickers that he couldn't put on a pair of pants or at least a towel??
What you will be most surprised to find out is how frequently this happens. Luckily that was the only time for me but my wife(a former hotel worker) had this happen to her on multiple occasions.
And it's never an attractive person that gets locked out. It's the 300 lb. bald guy that's craving Twinkies at 3:00 AM.
Hope you enjoyed the story.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Tip #2 - Did you know?
Coupons aren't just for groceries!
Chances are you will be stopping at a rest area on your trip. Did you know that these places offer more than just bathrooms and over priced food? There are usually brochure or magazine racks located somewhere within the plaza containing books filled with coupons for hotels. A couple examples are the green Room Saver and the red Market America book(usually with the name of the state it covers in large lettering at the top). Note: These coupons are usually not valid with reservations. If you already have a reservation at a hotel and you find a coupon with a much better rate try to cancel your room. Make sure that the hotel has additional rooms and is accepting the coupon first. These coupons are used to sell empty rooms and if the hotel is nearly full they will most likely not be taking the coupon. You can also find these coupons available online that you can print from home before you embark on your journey. Be sure to read all the fine print on the coupon before attempting to check in. Many will have restrictions on the number of people, additional costs for weekends or are only valid on certain room types. So don't show up with your spouse and 2 kids looking for a non-smoking rooms with two beds for $40 and find out the coupon is only good for smoking rooms with one bed.
More great tips to come!
- The Hotel Guy
Chances are you will be stopping at a rest area on your trip. Did you know that these places offer more than just bathrooms and over priced food? There are usually brochure or magazine racks located somewhere within the plaza containing books filled with coupons for hotels. A couple examples are the green Room Saver and the red Market America book(usually with the name of the state it covers in large lettering at the top). Note: These coupons are usually not valid with reservations. If you already have a reservation at a hotel and you find a coupon with a much better rate try to cancel your room. Make sure that the hotel has additional rooms and is accepting the coupon first. These coupons are used to sell empty rooms and if the hotel is nearly full they will most likely not be taking the coupon. You can also find these coupons available online that you can print from home before you embark on your journey. Be sure to read all the fine print on the coupon before attempting to check in. Many will have restrictions on the number of people, additional costs for weekends or are only valid on certain room types. So don't show up with your spouse and 2 kids looking for a non-smoking rooms with two beds for $40 and find out the coupon is only good for smoking rooms with one bed.
More great tips to come!
- The Hotel Guy
Friday, October 26, 2007
Tip #1 - Check It Out!
Checking out the rooms before checking in.
Don't be afraid to ask to see a room or rooms. Make sure you ask to see the type of room you want to rent and not just a random selection made by the desk clerk. This can serve two purposes. Obviously you will get to see the room but the other benefit of this is that you get a chance to chat with the front desk clerk. (Note: Sometimes you may be given a one-shot key and sent to the room alone because the clerk may not be able to leave the desk. Use this time to do some extra inspecting) If you are lucky enough to get a guided tour make sure you chat with the clerk as much as possible. I find that a lot of people will ask me all about the hotel. This is fine if you have an honest tour guide but they can easily lie to you about amenities, renovations and cleanliness. The main point of talking with the clerk is to find out how friendly and helpful they will be if you would encounter a problem during your stay. Even the nicest hotels have problems and it will be the desk clerk who decides how big of a problem it becomes for you. Once you get into the room check the bathroom first. They are usually the easiest place to spot dirt. Do not stop at the bathroom though. Turn down the sheets and check the bed but be courteous and leave everything how you found it. If the room is to your liking then ask for that specific room. I have heard of hotels keeping a handful of rooms spotless for instances like this. Though the main reason they do this is in case an inspector from the brand would come unannounced.
Don't be afraid to ask to see a room or rooms. Make sure you ask to see the type of room you want to rent and not just a random selection made by the desk clerk. This can serve two purposes. Obviously you will get to see the room but the other benefit of this is that you get a chance to chat with the front desk clerk. (Note: Sometimes you may be given a one-shot key and sent to the room alone because the clerk may not be able to leave the desk. Use this time to do some extra inspecting) If you are lucky enough to get a guided tour make sure you chat with the clerk as much as possible. I find that a lot of people will ask me all about the hotel. This is fine if you have an honest tour guide but they can easily lie to you about amenities, renovations and cleanliness. The main point of talking with the clerk is to find out how friendly and helpful they will be if you would encounter a problem during your stay. Even the nicest hotels have problems and it will be the desk clerk who decides how big of a problem it becomes for you. Once you get into the room check the bathroom first. They are usually the easiest place to spot dirt. Do not stop at the bathroom though. Turn down the sheets and check the bed but be courteous and leave everything how you found it. If the room is to your liking then ask for that specific room. I have heard of hotels keeping a handful of rooms spotless for instances like this. Though the main reason they do this is in case an inspector from the brand would come unannounced.
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