HAVE SOME MORE CRAZY HOTEL STORIES from r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk 

I had to retire my service dog because he was attacked by a fake service dog. It makes me furious that people lie about their untrained pets.

Our family adopted a retired K9 search dog and the rescue didn’t tell us he followed specific commands and hand signals to go to the bathroom. Also as soon as we’d put his harness on for walks he assumed he’d be on duty and REFUSED to do anything other than sniff. Service animals require a LOT of training and it’s not just something a certificate can prove

Service dogs are life savers for certain people. I hate it when people abuse it.

As a person with (real, trained, tasking) service dogs, I can say that accidents happen (rarely but realistically) with regard to potty-but when they have happened their handler is and should be the first person to be absolutely mortified and rectifying the situation. It’s been years since we’ve had any kind of issue (and our dogs have never run wild and free the way Agnes’ did) but when it did WE were first on the scene, cleaning and practically in tears from the mortification of the experience. We would NEVER be nonchalant about it and we would NEVER leave the burden on others to take care of what happened. We now know our dogs and their distress signals/foods they cannot eat (as well as they know their mom’s)-and have been accident free for years. I hate that people like Agnes give everyone the impression that this is a-okay.

😂 Maybe one of those hacks should include saying "please" and "thank you".

I'm always SO THANKFUL to see the hotel clerks after a long day of travel. I do my best to be nice and more often than not, they help me out and even find ways to get me discounts! Great props to all night clerks!

I'm still amazed that the rooms next to the elevators are considered bad. I always ask for a room near the elevator, and almost always get it and the rooms are great. I really hate walking a long way to my room.

My Mom was a secretary. When she was young, she showed the business school professor that her answer on a test was indeed correct and the answer he was looking for was wrong. She made sure that my sister and I were well-grounded in spelling, grammar, sentence structure, syllable emphasis, etc. I absolutely enjoy your story-telling. You have an excellent grasp of English. Thank you so very much for your intelligence, wit and humor. Keep up the good work!

It never ceases to amaze me how people treat service personnel of all kinds. I don't care if someone is the CEO of a major company, or a part time cleaner, treat them all with the same dignity and it's amazing how much they'll go above and beyond to help you.

12 drunk English and 14 drunk Germans. This is the perfect set-up for some joke. Turns out, neither of them caused any serious trouble, but a Karen out of nowhere is XD

I'm retired now, but had worked for 30 years in the Hotel/Motel industry. Everything I've seen you do so far brings back memories of things that have occurred, plus a few that were not meant for repeating.

A few months ago, my mom and I booked a seaside hotel for just a short getaway. The hotel and rental car was booked through a third party, which was a whole other dumpster fire of a story, but we weren’t aware that this hotel was a full-service resort with valet and concierge. We’d never stayed in a hotel like that, so we were a bit freaked out when a couple men met us at the front to park our car and take our bags to our room. All the staff were patient and understanding and explained to us how to recall our car anytime we wanted and how to call for room service, and it turned out to be an amazing few days despite a few mechanical hiccups that were by no means their fault (elevator was being worked on after the last hurricane). Our vacation started out very crappy, but the hotel staff were able to turn it around with nothing but their attitude, and it was very much appreciated.

I have experienced many of these stories first hand. I have been a night auditor for the last 12 years. The most common story is someone trying to check in after midnight for a reservation for the next day. Even if we have room availability they do not get a free early check-in. In most if not all cases they have to pay at least $50 to a full night's rent which can be over $200. It is worse when the hotel is sold out. I cannot check them into a room because all rooms are occupied. I have to explain that we do not evict people from rooms at midnight (or 3 AM) checkout is at 11 AM. Just because the date has changed does not mean that rooms automatically become available.

Ugh, when will people learn that "last time", "yesterday", "on the phone", "well so and so said" don't work? I worked at a university pool and encountered so many of these. The number of people who claimed they called the pool and were told it was free was ridiculous. Ah yes, they definitely called the emergency phone that only made outgoing calls, sure thing. The best part was that you could call people out for lying without ever saying that. Because we did have comp passes, so I would just 'helpfully' tell them they just needed to pop up to the office to get the pass, and they could be swimming in no time. One person actually reported me to my boss for saying "My boss definitely didn't tell you that you could swim for free because you're "such close friends" when you just told me the wrong name". It would be like his legal name being John Outlet, and they said "Johnathon Oatlettie". The sheer audacity of reporting me to the person they didn't know for saying they didn't know them because it meant I was calling them a liar is ludicrously high. They apparently yelled at him when he asked "And who are you?" because that meant he was calling them a liar. They were trespassed after demanding both of us be fired.

The dog story reminded me of something that happened at a pretty high-end hotel where a dinner was being held. One of the dinner guests was blind and brought his service dog. It was a sweet dog but getting a bit older. This man (I'd been around him and the dog at other events) was not the best about attending to the needs of the dog. After the dinner there was a rather large group waiting to use the parking garage elevators to get back to our cars to drive home. Apparently, his dog had pooped in one of the two elevators and he'd just gone on his merry way without attempting to clean up after his dog or even letting the hotel staff know that this had happened. Since no one waiting for the elevator wanted to use that elevator to avoid the rather large pile right in the middle of it, someone would have to lean in, push the button for one of the floors to send it on its way, and then push the button to call the other elevator.

HotelHacks: book directly with the hotel, be friendy, honest and respectful, and you'll have a great time!

I have been the one to mess up an online reservation for a hotel in the middle of the night. My tip is... be nice to the people at the front desk, calmly explain that you are tired from driving through multiple states to get home and ask if you can still get the room. They will be much more accommodating that way. Same way we handled things when trying to find camping at a national park campground and got help from the camp host who lived nearby. We needed electric sites and the whole place was booked. Calm, rational explanations will get you much further.

This story-one ties into another. So, even though the hotel charges 300.00 a night, there are people who check in, use the room for less than an hour, then check out. The room is hardly disturbed, they don't even appear to use the bed. Anyway, I am the GM and it's late Friday afternoon and I am preparing to leave for the weekend. We get a call that a 747, flying from Los Angeles to London had a mid flight emergency and would need to overnight at the airport for repairs. The 747 is filled with English schoolgirls and some parent volunteers. With that said, Monday and Tuesday nights, we are at 100% occupancy, Wednesdays/Thursdays at 75% and only 10% on the weekends, with 95% of that 10% not having reservations, which is why we got picked for this mission. The hotel has 300 rooms. Employees available-Myself and the AGM (who were about to leave), Front Office Manager and one agent, Director of security and one guard, Housekeeping Manager and night maid (who gets off of work at 11 PM) and one building engineer. So, first, we had to scramble to make sure that rooms were available and clean. We only have four guests in the hotel at this time and five rooms, that since 11 AM, were only used for an hour. We had to make sure those five rooms were clean. Also, we had an ADA room, rarely rented out and usually only used for business meetings. Myself and the engineer had to wheel in three of the very heavy mobile beds into that room (since it is quite spacious). Housekeeping manager and AGM add additional touches to the room. So, first part of the plan done. Second, myself and the AGM staff joined front desk staff for the check in process. What went right, is that the trip coordinator had the girls stay on the buses until check in was complete. What went wrong is that the fire department required "assigned people" to rooms in case of an emergency and the coordinator was very unhappy with us for that. Three parents helped her and it took nearly an hour to compile a list of who was going to be assigned to what room. So, things went swimmingly after that. However, the entire housekeeping staff had to be called in the next day to get the hotel back in ship shape for Sunday/Monday check ins. So, since our ownership office was closed for the weekend (the hotel was a franchise), on Monday morning I had to call the CEO and explain to him we had to burn 240 hours of overtime. He was VERY unhappy about that.

It is a moot point about Service Animals now because almost all hotels are pet friendly … I have pretty bad allergies and have the worst time finding accommodations.

Yes, you speak quickly but you do enunciate clearly and are no problem to understand at all! Thanks for more great stories.

I love it when you smile and call them on their BS.😁

The pirate story I feel like would have to be a duet with @crazycae with you being at the desk and her being the pirates. And act it as if you’re watching the footage the next day of what had happened the previous night.

My line to keep my sanity when dealing with with people like the one in the last story is “Some people’s children!” 😅

I could listen to you telling these stories for hours. Getting the back end perspective just colours them that much more

No matter the business, whether it's retail, hospitality etc, remember these 2 rules: 1. The customer is NOT always right. 2. When in doubt, refer to rule #1.

I used to work at a Hampton Inn (Alabama) & people were allowed to bring pets for an extra fee. Also, my daughter & I stayed at a hotel in South Carolina that allowed us to have her dog for a fee.

It's a pity your fluffy cat couldn't join you for this reading. 😺 I try to always have a printed copy of my reservation when I check in and the person checking me in usually smiles when I hand it to them because they know it will have most if not all of the needed information.

I work as a night auditor, amazingly guests seem to like me and I get a lot of positive feedback from management and especially guests who stay frequently who have come to recognize me, however at least 2 to 3 times a week somthing happens with a karen/kevin and I question why I continue to put a fake smile on and continue dealing with these soul sucking people...I mean I'm good at my job but even my therapist has advised me to find somthing els, sometimes it doesn't feel like hospitality it just feels like modern day serventhood, However I love watching ur channel as does my co workers and u always have somthing totally relatable or just down right funny, keep up the good work, I can't tell u how many times ur videos have had me and my coworkers just busting up with eachother, ur awesome!

I am a copier/printer technician and all of your stories remind me of some of the customer horror stories I've experienced and heard from other technicians. One of our biggest issues is that most work is done on maintenance contracts, but these don't cover problems and additional setups from a customer making changes to their computers systems. So we have to charge for this. Of course people hit the ceiling over this. Lawyers are often the worst "Karens", thinking because they are a lawyer, you will be intimidated into giving them whatever they expect. Do lawyers attempt to pull such tricks with hotel staff as well?

Jessica you are such a pleasure to watch and listen to!! Don’t worry about the lighting.

My wife worked in at least three hotels/motels. Two in Athens OH and one in Sunbury OH. It was good times, it was bad times so there are good and bad days and the clerk was usually the one that had to deal with the situation.

🍍 A symbol of hospitality and NOTHING else 😇

At our local Lego convention there is a category for first time builders called First Try. I think this works well because if you haven't completed before you only go against others who haven't either. Of course there can be very talented people who just have never entered a competition. It does also give a chance to showcase new talent.

Thank you for the very responsible way you handled the service dog issue. I love the education this gave to people outside the service dog world

Love the pineapple necklace! Not many people know of their association with hospbitality.

Clear crisp day in Florida 😂😂😂😂 I'm in Tampa at the time of this videos posting and it is FREEZING AND POURING RAIN!! Love you Jess!

The only "hacks for staying at hotels" I remember coming across was a tip that if you're not happy with the room that you're assigned, you can ask them to change it. If you are sensitive to noise or smells, tell them that when you're booking and ask if they can accommodate you. It doesn't hurt to ask if you can have a room with few/no neighbors to have more privacy. I remember that tip, because it makes sense and isn't about bullying or lying to hotel staff. It also said "ask" not demand, since obviously it depends on how booked a hotel is at the time.

The service dog one is a prime example of why it is so important to hold to your word. She should have been rejected to bring in her dog everytime. No exceptions. When people learn they can get away with something, they do it more and they push that line. Why would they try to do better if there is no consequences.

I have a SA and most Hotels Demand that we have a SA Card for my guy.. I Didn’t want to buy one.. But the Hotels Make it impossible!! So, when you see someone with a Service Animal (SA) and they have a “official “ SA card.. Dont judge!! I I Have fought over and over again Pointing out that a card isn’t Mandatory.. The hotel owners don’t care and they know that anyone on Disability won’t have the Money to Sue them.. Makes me Soo Angry 😡

Lol! I love these stories and the skits you do. I worked in two hotels over about 2 1/2 years and these stories bring back SO memories.

4:40 I can totally relate. Had one person come into the hotel. Left early. Complained about fleas, bed bugs and “a single hair” in the tub and a paw print on the bed. None of which were found or observed by three different people, including myself.

I've been a night Auditor for close to 3 years. The stories oy... Such as asking an obviously homeless man what room he's in and him replying the lobby

The perc I get, and expect, as a frequent stayer, is reasonable. Late check out when I'm not leaving early anyway, and a better room. But stuff that can be counted like rate cuts, they have to come from the club program. Also tip your housekeepers!

Love love love this! I can't possibly pick just one as a favorite. They were great and in looking forward to your next story time and skits!

5:05 - I've learned over the years that "defrauding an inkeeper" is a listed crime in many areas, including my own. There was a little standee that almost nobody read in every room at my last hotel stating that. It was fun to point it out to the "fake complaint hack" crowd and watch them lose all the wind from their sails. 21:01 - Oh jeez, these kinds of situations. If the folks aren't jerks, sketch-lords (or ladies), and just need a post-audit room, I could've pulled off a "day-use" room if we weren't packed (we rarely were, but it happened). If they were sleazy and/or it was packed, I would be able to look 'em in the eyes and tell them that we'd *_probably_* have a room available for them in approximately 12-14 hours. The troublemakers would sit there and book a room thru a 3rd party site on their phone, smugly wave it in my face, and then I'd basically have to tell them not only did they just waste both their and my time, but also their money on a room they weren't going to get for (hah, you won't believe this) _another 12-14 hours._ 24:48 - Yup, shift changes are the whacko magnets, for sure. Frequently the last flight off my island would get cancelled around Oct-Nov and Feb-Mar because of dense fogs that formed at night, so around the handoff from 2nd to 3rd shift is when a fusillade of disgruntled guests would inundate my lobby and make my job "Interesting" for the first two hours and last two hours of the shift.

OMG I love these stories, and the fun way you telll us about them ❤❤

Yaaaaas on the service dog knowledge sharing 🎉 this was perfect. Thank you for not being afraid to talk about it!

Im sitting here on Sunday watching this while looking out my window here in Central Florida. The weather is a little different than when you filmed this. Lol

I love these stories

💕 Love these stories! And your positive attitude! Humor helps immensely in these things!

Thank you for these videos. They really clear up the rules of the hotel industry and how we, as guests, can make our own experience more pleasant by understanding how you operate.

Just started the video, but I'm so glad that you hard code the captions in your video. Thank you for increasing accessibility!

Yay!! I love Jess so much!!

I would like to say that i GREATLY appreciate the included captions inyour video! As someone with auditory processing issues, it helps me enjoy your content more!

YES I LOVE THESE STORIES!!

I guess im just a heavy sleeper, but i like having a room close to the elevator or ice machine. It's convenient.

As always, your stories remind of working at small hotel in my hometown, at the front desk morning shift and mid-day shift.

Jess, another great video. You are such a smart young lady. Keep us chuckeling and scratching our head

I never thought that we all share the same struggles!!! Guest can be really means everywhere!!!

“I GOT A BIG PINEAPPLE CUP”-Jess 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

"Didn't try to scam someone who has hard existence contrary to your lies." As someone who works security at a grocery store and prosecutes for shoplifting and vandalism... yah. This! I love the excuse of "I didn't know what I was doing," when they spent five minutes in the aisles staging their cart to look like there isn't anything hidden (multiple times), or "casually" waiting for people to leave the aisle before slipping something into your purse.

thank you so much for making this!

After working 30 plus years in hotels, mainly in the Front Desk area, I think I've seen it all. Until something else even more bizarre happens. I love hearing your stories, you remind me of many young hoteliers I have mentored over the years.

I love these stories!

Love these definitely keep it up esp if you ❤ it!!!

LOVE this.. and your channel.. MORE MORE MORE!!

I love watching your videos. So Funny !!!!! Keep making them please.

Thanks for including subtitles 😄

The parking lot story made me think of a story about my grandpa. He was chief of police and was overly concerned with theft. When he would travel with family (wife and 2 kids) he would only get a motel with a room where he can park directly outside the room. He would then leave the motel room door open all night to watch his car!!!😮 he didn’t really sleep and he was also armed. This was in the 1950s. It is still shocking to me!

The ‘everyone clapped’ of the late check in with the person coming and smoking is such an eye roll. That👏🏻didn’t 👏🏻happen👏🏻

Yeeeeessss we need more vids like this miss jess ❤

I would of loved having you at any hotel I went too. Your stories are Unreal.

I'm starting my first hotel job in guest services this summer in Alaska. I love your videos and maybe I'll have a new story for you in September.

Great patience have you. ❤🎉 Just so you know,a pirate skit would be a LMAO good!

with the SD Jess u are right and anyone can lie and thats gives the true handlers a bad name. ty so much for letting the fake handler know but if there fake they mostlikely don't care but ty again ur awsome!👍👏

Jessica you always have the funniest and craziest stories to tell don't ever let anyone ever tell you that your job is easy LoL

This was great! Thank you.

So funny watching your content! I have so many stories that are the exact opposite of me being gifted extras and upgrades without asking for anything! So often occasionally it is hard for me to believe I'm not being punked sometimes..

I love your pineapple cup! It looks so pretty!

Jess, it has been raining all day. I am in Conway near downtown...it has been raining for 2 days.😂😂😂 I love your videos. I worked WDW for 17 years, a little bit was front desk at The Grand. Thanks for the entertainment!

Pineappes are a symbol of hospitality.. I wonder if that's why Derringer used that motif as a decoration on his pistols..😂

Thank you for puttthe service dog story 💯

I live in Southwest Florida. It’s sunny, but cold! I can’t wait for it to warm up!! 🥶

I love these!!

My number one “hack” for hotels: be friendly and polite to all staff even if you have a complaint, and don’t trash your hotel room. I have been offered surprise free upgrades/extras on occasion simply by building a history with a given hotel and always being respectful of the staff and the property. The important thing to remember is that you’re not entitled to freebies and the establishment is in no way obligated to offer them. Sometimes they’re offered and sometimes they’re not. It’s a nice thing when it does happen though and it’s much more likely if you’re just a lovely person to interact with than if you go full-on Karen

But it gray and has been raining since last night here on the Treasure Coast. Perfect day to watch all my favorite content creators. I knew which skit it was by the title. Lol

Here's a great hack that has ALWAYS worked for me, _especially_ in hotels in the USA: Smile, be calm and patient, give a genuine compliment, don't rush the person who's assisting you, and ask them who you talk to if you want to relay a compliment about their service (and then actually do it). Instead of looking for things to complain about, look for things to be happy about and let the staff know. It's much more motivating for them to accommodate you when they know what you like. If you only let them know what you don't like, then you still leave them guessing about what you _do_ like. Also, if you are consistently complimenting on everything you like, then the day you don't give compliments they will come to you and ask how they can improve your stay.

I complained about a bathroom in a room at one stage being dirty and not draining. Made it clear I was happy with the room, appreciated the early check in they'd given me and loved the complimentary shampoo and conditioner. I just wanted them to know as the next person may not be happy with it. They gave me some bonus toiletries to take home as a thank you. I was very happy with that - I'm easily pleased 😂😂

As a partner to a professionally trained service animal, I understand the issue. There are so many out there lying in order to get their dogs out in public without argument out of the public. The problem is that the U.S. doesn't have any official certification. The ADA and other associated groups have tried for years to get this done, but to no avail. Trust me, it's no picnic for those of us that are following the rules either.

I confess I pulled a prank on a front desk clerk about 35 years ago. It was the site of a science fiction/fantasy convention. On checking out, when asked about my stay, I said the room was comfortable but I had a hard time sleeping the night before from all the sheep and power tool noises from the room above me. I managed to keep a straight face long enough to finish checking out, but the poor clerk was shocked into silence. I'd heard it in a movie and had to try it out.

Could you share your getting ready routine? I know that's very 2000s but you always look do flawless and classy.

I know a lot of people who are blind and have legitimate service animals. Those animals are much more well-behaved than what you have described. Those people should still be allowed to travel with their service animals. But if it is “an emotional support animals“ or any other kind of service animal that is not Helping with a life-threatening issue, no, they should not be allowed. As a visually impaired person with allergies, I thank you for trying to sort out which animals should be allowed and which ones should not.

Loved it. Last one

Thank you, I really enjoyed that.

i won’t lie, my family has snuck a few crusty white dogs into hotels. what i would tell other aspiring dog sneakers is that you need to have a dog that barely functions as a dog. like. barely any shedding, can hide in a backpack with no complaints for 10 minutes, will sleep and be completely silent the entire time. those dogs are uncommon to find but when you do, just don’t get caught and cause an issue for the poor staff. just take it to the gas station to go outside each time and don’t cause an issue lol

If it helps, I watched some of your other videos previously and really didn't notice the change in lighting despite you mentioning it during the video! I was too absorbed in the stories! Don't worry too much about it!

One of my friends have a service dog for her Type 1 Diabetes (Diabetic Alert Dog). When her blood level gets low when she is sleeping, the dog will start barking to wake my friend up. So if my friend is staying at a hotel, that might be very important information for the hotel staff to know (if they hear my friend's dog barking, they know it is a medical situation so they should go check on my friend with a phone, just in case she needs an ambulance).

The best way to get discounts or upgrades is to NOT EXPECT IT, be friendly, courteous, and express your genuine gratitude for the job that the hotel staff does! Actually, that's just a good strategy for life, not just hotels.

I used to volunteer at the local hospital in the surgery center. One morning a woman came in with a dog that was wearing a service vest that I had seen on sale at Walmart. I knew this was no service dog and called downstairs to ask about the dog. The lady I spoke to said there was nothing they could do since it was a service animal. The dog peed in on of the chairs in the waiting room and she didn't tell me. Of course, another person came in after the dog lady left and sat in the chair. The entire waiting room had to be closed while housekeeping cleaned the room. I heard there was quite an uproar with the hospital administration about why was the lady allowed to bring in an untrained "service" animal that was obviously not housebroken.

Not a hotel-related thing, but related to the point at 4:32 or so. I made a reservation at a restaurant I'd never been to for my 3-year-anniversary with my girlfriend and mentioned it in the comments/special requests, along with something like "so a candle on the table or being seated slightly further away would be great". When we arrived and gave them the name, the waitress was practically bubbling with excitement. We got free champagne and a candle and we got lucky that no one else had booked the outdoor-area (October was mild enough to make it work) so we had a great time! But in the end, if it had been busy and no free bubbles, it wouldn't have bothered me at all. Mentioning the anniversary for free stuff never even crossed my mind. I like to think that sincerity comes through when you get to the hotel/restaurant, but people do seem to love a good scam.