When you’re a part of a hotel team, the stories you gather are truly remarkable. From downright bizarre to the outright funny, the tales of what guests leave behind are endless. Hotel employees have shared some of these incredible stories on Reddit, and they sure are a rollercoaster ride of emotions and surprises.
Let’s delve into these astonishing accounts as experienced and recounted by diligent hotel workers. Edited for clarity and to ensure we keep it family-friendly, these stories shine a light on the unexpected side of hospitality.
The Silent Bachelor Party
Over five years in hotel housekeeping, I’ve seen my fair share of weird events, but nothing topped the silence of a bachelor party we hosted. A groom and his entourage of about twenty walked into their suite – we expected the usual ruckus. Hours went by in complete quiet. Eerie, right?
Then, a woman came in, searching for her groom-to-be. She had his phone, which he had left behind. No response from the room led us to enter with caution—and what we saw was beyond belief.
In the brightly lit bathroom, the groom and his friends were fully clothed, engaging in a ‘naval battle’ with toy boats in the bathtub. His fiancée didn’t find it as funny; she declared the wedding off on the spot. He had been warned not to partake in games instead of taking life seriously, and this was her breaking point.
It was hilarious yet sad. Only in hospitality do you experience such peculiar nights that make you laugh until your sides hurt.
The Unused Toilet
One summer day, cleaning a room revealed a troubling scene. The bathroom had neatly rolled towels – a common sight. But beneath them was a nightmare: a heap of fecal matter.
As I lifted the shower curtain, I was hit with a dreadful stench and the sight of several piles left in the shower, mixed with urine. The guests seemingly ignored the pristine toilet. That was the last shift I ever took.
The Pizza Puzzle
A whole pizza greeted us in one room—not in the box, but smeared across the décor. A slice pattern emerged: one on the TV, two used like slippers, dragging a trail across the floor. They popped up in unexpected places: the dresser, the nightstand, even the shower’s sink.
While tidying up, the scent of pizza lingered. I found the last slice, embedded in the lampshade. What motivated someone to waste a pizza like that? The mysteries of human behavior.
Too Much Luggage
Working one summer at a bustling small hotel, a couple arrived with an unprecedented amount of luggage. Unbeknownst to us, they had a plan to strip the room, taking everything including window fixtures. Inevitably our jobs ended that day when the secret was revealed.
Where’s the Bathroom?
In a lavish hotel, a guest asked our bellstand for the toilet’s location. Upon his return, we noticed a trail he left—his waste trailing him silently down the hall. He had to borrow trousers as his were left for cleaning by housekeeping, which he refused to pay for as a supposed hotel critic. Needless to say, we blacklisted him.
The Sleepwalker
At my quaint hotel job, a panicked woman came by, seeking her missing sleepwalking husband. We found him in our linen room, innocuously sleeping amongst duvets. Wrapped up and embarrassed, he followed her back to their room. They departed later, and his tale is still a favorite of mine to retell.
The Mouse
Helping my grandparents at their guesthouse, a complaint of a mouse infestation arose. Instead of checking out, guests produced a live mouse at the desk! Suspicious, we found their pet store receipt. That poor mouse later thrived in better company, leaving a silly, scheming couple empty-handed and on our alerted blacklist.
Through these Reddit revelations, you glimpse the untold side of hospitality—a world unseen by most guests. Hotel workers tackle these unforeseen challenges to maintain guests’ comfort and enjoyment. Have you encountered anything extraordinary during your hotel stays? We’d love to hear your stories!
