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AMA

I work In a hotel, ask me anything

38 replies

Horrordoeurvres · 22/08/2018 16:06

I work in a hotel, ask me anything Halo

OP posts:
donajimena · 22/08/2018 16:07

Can you spot affairs as opposed to 'regular' guests? If so how?

Horrordoeurvres · 22/08/2018 16:26

@donajimena honestly we have so many guests that come and go its hard to keep track - the usual signs would be one person checks in while the other hangs back and kind of follows behind on the way up to the bedrooms, almost as if they don't want to check In together, as most couples tend to just come up to the actual desk together.

Similarly guests who book under weird, awkward names "Mr G" instead of a full name for example, always make me a bit suspicious especially if they're reluctant to fill out the personal info forms that ask for your post code, email and phone number etc.

Solo guests that check in then half an hour later you see someone else who hasn't checked in "sneakily" run past reception and enter their room, also suspicious Grin

We can't give out any personal info so if someone calls trying to catch their other half in the act by asking if they have stayed previously or are in house we cannot give them that info, I do take a note though and hand it to the guest in question and say "oh such and such called and asked if you were staying here, I couldn't confirm you were but you may want to give them a call" - always v satisfying to watch the guilty ones squirm when we do this hahaa.

Sorry my answer is so long!

OP posts:
donajimena · 22/08/2018 18:03

Thank you. I was just being v nosey. I don't partake in any clandestine shack ups Grin

TokyoSushi · 22/08/2018 18:05

I worked in hotels for years, I think you can tell affairs! Mainly 2 people in business attire checking into a double room on a week night!

PavlovianLunge · 22/08/2018 18:05

Are there benefits to guests in booking directly through the hotel? Comparison sites seem to offer better deals, but is it worth calling and asking about discounts or offers?

TokyoSushi · 22/08/2018 18:05

Or people on a conference who ask for connecting rooms!!

TokyoSushi · 22/08/2018 18:06

Sorry OP, back over to you!

Horrordoeurvres · 22/08/2018 18:13

@TokyoSushi ahh yes forgot about the connecting rooms request hahah. I don't mind! I like input from other people from the industry always welcomed to see if I've had the same crazy experiences! Grin

OP posts:
Horrordoeurvres · 22/08/2018 18:17

@PavlovianLunge depends on the individual hotel, if you book via agents online etc you run the risk of booking with a shitty company that won't help you out In the event something goes wrong. We can't help with any bookings not made direct as you're technically in a contract with the agent. Example being you book the wrong date by accident If you book direct with us I can possibly change it to the correct date with no added fees, if you book via an agent it's up to them wether they let you change the dates or refuse. Meaning you'll need to pay for dates you aren't actually staying on! Most people don't understand that and I get a lot of abuse over the phone from angry guests wanting my help when all I can do is say "contact the online agent" Most of them are super hard to get a hold of as well especially if they think you want to cancel!

OP posts:
Halfling · 22/08/2018 20:35

I read somewhere that you should never use the tumblers and mugs provided in the hotel room. The poster said that they caught the housekeeping using the same cleaning cloth for the toilet as well as the tumblers Confused Could this be true? Have you ever come across such housekeeping horrors?

NoSleepTil2030 · 22/08/2018 20:47

What's the grossest thing you've found in a room?

(My sibling worked in a hotel and a guest left a poo in the kettle Shock)

Horrordoeurvres · 22/08/2018 20:55

@Halfling honestly nah that's not the usual protocol hahaah, all glasses, mugs, kettles etc are all cleaned after each guest departs regardless If they have been used or not. The house keepers have different coloured cloths for different items to clean. Our house keeping team use personal room keys so we can track which house keeper was in what room at what time etc. This is so if any room isn't up to standard - head house keeper checks every room before check in - that housekeeper is told to re do the room until it's spotless.

OP posts:
Horrordoeurvres · 22/08/2018 21:00

@NoSleepTil2030 I don't want to say anything too outing on here but I've seen it all, human shit, vomit, pee puddles, questionable liquids of a male variety, used condoms left all over the place. People are honestly disgusting. No idea what it is about a hotel room that people seem to think basic hygiene and decency go out the window. If anyone does any of the above at my hotel and don't own up to it after it's discovered you'll receive a lovely detailed email after you check out complete with photo evidence explaining why I'm charging you for a cleaning fee, most people don't ever try to argue back lol Grin

OP posts:
DieAntword · 22/08/2018 21:05

What, if anything, would make you want to give someone a free room upgrade?

NoSleepTil2030 · 22/08/2018 21:16

Haha that's awesome about the photo evidence for the gross people!

On a related note, what can I do to make life easier for the cleaning team? I put all our rubbish in the bin and all the towels together in the bathroom (& don't leave any of the grim stuff you've described!) But is there anything else?

Horrordoeurvres · 22/08/2018 21:18

@DieAntword just by being a nice person, If the first thing you say to me when I pick up the phone is "CAN I HAVE A FREE UPGRADE" chances are I'll tell you to jog on CF 😂 but if you're being pleasant and polite to me when I'm making your reservation chances are I'll upgrade you for free if I can and if I can't I'll stick some chocolates or something in your room instead! "It's nice to be nice" is something we live by in my office but my pet hate is cf's that expect everything for nothing. "It's my birthday can i have free drinks at that bar" was one I got recently, answer was obviously no. On the same day I had an older lady and her friend book for a night away together as they hadn't seen each other in 10 years, she was no hassle, very lovely, just booked a standard no fuss twin room. She's now been upgraded unknowingly to a deluxe twin suite with a bottle of wine and chocolates waiting on them too! Smile

Some hotels don't mind if you ask for a free upgrade at check in as normally by that point they don't mind giving them for free as less chances of selling for that night anyway!

OP posts:
Horrordoeurvres · 22/08/2018 21:21

@NoSleepTil2030 I wish we had more thoughtful guests like you staying with us 😂 you already do a lot more than the average! Honestly as long as you haven't kicked the trash about the floor and drawn on the walls with poop house keeping are pretty happy!

OP posts:
Horrordoeurvres · 22/08/2018 21:25

@NoSleepTil2030 also I'm not saying a guest smeared poop on the wall..in fact yes, yes I am. That actually happened. I think he had upset stomach that night as it was literally a poop explosion all over the bathroom and walls, he checked out like nothing happened the morning after 😭😂

OP posts:
Clionba · 23/08/2018 07:57

Oh dear god, that's horrific. Have you ever had to kick a guest out for any reason?

NoSleepTil2030 · 23/08/2018 08:16

Shock at the poopy walls story!

DieAntword · 23/08/2018 08:23

he checked out like nothing happened the morning after 😭😂

Well of course he did! Can you imagine bringing it up. Oh man, just check out, slink off and then never ever go back! Spose he could have said “and here’s an extra couple of hundreds for the cleaning team” but you might have asked why and then... “oh, ahem, you’ll see...”. Shock

Horrordoeurvres · 23/08/2018 08:43

@Clionba yeah sometimes for being drunk and aggressive but it's a rare occurrence! A few potential domestic abuse potential incidents where we've called police but again it's few and far between

OP posts:
Horrordoeurvres · 23/08/2018 08:45

@DieAntword some people do tell us, they apologise etc and if that person is ill we send up a first aid trained member male or female on the guests preference and sometimes call a doctor for them, sickness can't be helped! But he really did have it all over the wall which was confusing, hand prints too 😭

OP posts:
Clionba · 23/08/2018 09:06

"hand prints too" oh dear god....

sansouci · 23/08/2018 09:16

Hi Horrordoeurvres,

  1. Who should receive a tip and how much should it be? Room service for sure, but it's so awkward! I hate tipping but I know it's usually expected.
  2. is it true that bed coverings (bedspreads) are generally filthy? Someone once told me never to lie down on one. Yuck.
  3. I always tidy my room before leaving it. I don't make the bed but I do straighten the pillows and duvets. I also put any used towels in the bathtub. Is this helpful? Do most guests do this?
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