u/hellobela_

Got a 1-star review today because the receptionist (not me, a colleague) couldn’t explain in detail which bus/train the guest should take to reach a completely different place… and because we “didn’t give enough recommendations” for their 4-day vacation.

I’m sorry, when did front desk staff become unpaid personal travel planners?
We’re happy to help with directions, recommendations, maps, whatever we can. But some people show up having done absolutely zero research and then get mad we can’t instantly build their itinerary for them.

Like… you booked the trip. You knew where you were going. Why are you asking me at check-in to explain the transportation system of half the region and plan your sightseeing schedule from scratch?

The wild part is they acted like this was terrible customer service instead of basic adult responsibility.

Does anyone else notice that the guests who book the absolute cheapest rate are somehow always the highest maintenance?

I work reception at a hotel and it’s almost always the same pattern. They’ll book through some agency with the lowest non-refundable promo rate possible, then spend the entire stay complaining about every tiny inconvenience imaginable. The Wi-Fi is “too slow,” the room is “too cold,” breakfast “should have more options,” housekeeping came “too early,” etc.

And the most frustrating part? Instead of just coming to reception like a normal person and asking us directly so we can actually fix the issue, they immediately start calling their booking agency to complain. Then the agency calls us. Then we have to stop everything to explain the situation to a third party while the guest sits there acting like we personally ruined their vacation.

Meanwhile, guests paying normal rates usually just come downstairs, ask politely, and the problem gets solved in five minutes.

I genuinely don’t mind helping people when there’s an actual issue. That’s part of the job. But the constant indirect complaining through agencies over the smallest things is exhausting. Half the time the problem could’ve been solved instantly if they had just spoken to reception first.

I work front desk at a hotel in Italy, so you already know this involves Ferragosto (August 15th) aka the week where the entire country (and half of Europe) decides to go on vacation at the exact same time.

We’ve been sold out for months. So I get this call.

Guest: “Hi, do you have availability for 5 nights in the week of Ferragosto?”

Me: “I’m sorry, I don’t see any availability for those dates.”

Guest: dramatic sigh “Ughhhh… are you sure?”

Me: “…Yes.”

Guest: “Well, I was looking at totallylegitroomsnotascam.biz and I found a room for €250 total. Should I book it?”

…€250. Total. In August. During Ferragosto. In Italy.

At this point I’m honestly impressed. Not even offended. Just impressed.

Me: “Hmmmm… I’d suggest using your own judgment. I am the hotel, and I’m telling you I don’t have anything available.”

Long silence.

Like… what answer were you hoping for?
“Oh yes, we’re completely sold out, but there is a secret stash of rooms we only release to people who find suspiciously cheap deals on sketchy websites.”

I don’t know if they booked their magical €50-per-night-in-August deal, but if they did… I wish them luck, a backup plan, and maybe a tent 💀

I genuinely don’t understand this 😭

This might be controversial, but I have to ask…

It’s April. We’re in Europe. It’s literally still cool outside, like 13°C, and somehow I’m getting guests (specifically Americans) insisting the AC needs to be turned on??

I work at a hotel front desk, and I’m sitting there in a sweater, perfectly comfortable, maybe even a little cold… and they’re acting like it’s peak August heatwave season.

And the best part: when I explain that the AC isn’t even on yet for the season, the look of absolute shock on their faces… like I just told them running water hasn’t been invented yet.

I’ve had people go “Wait, it’s not available?” as if that’s completely unimaginable.

Is this a cultural thing?? Are you guys just used to everything being aggressively climate-controlled 24/7? Because here most places don’t even switch over to cooling until it’s actually warm.

No hate, just genuinely curious. Why does it feel like anything above “slightly cold” immediately requires blasting cold air indoors? 😂

Guy comes up to check in.

Me: “Hi! Can I see your ID, please?”

Him: “Why? I was here last week. You already have it.”

Oh perfect, my bad. Let me just access the vibes database real quick and confirm your identity based on ✨memory✨. Also bold of you to assume I personally work 24/7 and remember every single face that walks in here.

Me: “I still need to verify it for this stay.”

Him: “That doesn’t make any sense. Ugh, this is annoying. I have to search my bag or my suitcase.”

Right, because asking for ID at check-in is a completely new and revolutionary concept in the hospitality industry. Truly unheard of.

He keeps insisting we should “just use what’s in the system.”

And we WILL immediately after I confirm that you are, in fact, you. Wild concept, I know.

After some more back and forth (over something that would’ve taken literally 3 seconds), he finally hands it over.

Scan. Done. Key ready.

Amazing. Groundbreaking. A miracle of modern efficiency.

I will never understand why people will fight so hard to avoid doing the quickest, simplest step.