27 Reasons Why A Hotel Career is a Nightmare

My life as a hotel employee was an endless loop of thankless tasks, peculiar demands, and events so bizarre they would put any Hollywood script to shame. Don't get me wrong, working in a hotel has its moments, like that unforgettable interaction with a beloved K-pop star who needed help with a refrigerator that wouldn't open. But let's just say it was an experience that left a lasting impression, and not in the most glamorous of ways. So here I am, ready to spill the tea about the 27 reasons why working in hotels was the worst part of my life.

The Never-Ending Shifts

I remember starting work when the sun was just peeping over the horizon and finishing when even the moon had called it a day. I often asked myself, "Do I live at work, or do I work where I live?" The answer was usually a resounding, "I don't even know anymore!"

The Unpredictable Guests

From the tantrum-throwing toddlers to the very, very drunk adults (who sometimes behaved like tantrum-throwing toddlers), you never knew who was going to waltz through the hotel doors. I once had a guest who insisted he was being stalked by a ghost – named Bertha.

The Peculiar Requests

"I need a room that's precisely 71.5 degrees Fahrenheit," a guest once told me. Yes, you read that right, 71.5 degrees. Or the man who demanded an extra firm pillow filled with exotic bird feathers. People can be… particular.

The Unholy Check-In and Check-Out Times

You haven't truly experienced a sleep-deprived haze until you've started your shift at 3 a.m. to accommodate early check-ins. Or stayed up past midnight because someone's flight got delayed and they didn't arrive until the witching hour.

The Lost and Found Pile

The things people leave behind in hotel rooms could fill a museum of curiosities. I once found a prosthetic leg, a collection of antique porcelain dolls, and a diamond ring worth more than my annual salary.

The Overzealous Event Organizers

Remember that time when the hotel hosted a "Lord of the Rings" themed wedding, complete with a horse named Shadowfax in the lobby? Yeah, me too. But hey, at least it wasn't the nude yoga retreat.

The Not-So-Secret Affairs

I always dreaded those cringe-worthy moments when I'd spot a supposedly faithful husband with a woman who was definitely not his wife. And guess who had to face the wife when she came asking questions?

The Culinary Disasters

The number of times I got served the blame for the chef's culinary misadventures is beyond me. I still remember the lady who shrieked in terror when she found a piece of broccoli in her strictly 'broccoli-free' pasta.

The Drama at the Front Desk

Dealing with frustrated guests could often feel like an intense stage performance. There were tears, shouts, threats, apologies, and then repeat – all at the reception desk.

The Haunted Room 307

There was this one room, 307, that guests claimed was haunted. The spooky stories around it ranged from flickering lights to unexpected cold drafts. Even though I didn't believe them, it gave me the creeps when I had to deliver room service there.

The Tips…or Lack Thereof

Here's the thing about hotel tips: they're as unpredictable as a game of Russian roulette. Sometimes you'd get a surprisingly generous tip for just smiling, other times you'd lug 10 suitcases up four flights of stairs and get a friendly pat on the back.

The Incessant Complaints

A day in the life of a hotel worker involves an avalanche of complaints. "The shower is too wet. The air conditioning is too cold. The bed is too comfortable." Yes, I've heard them all.

The Unforgettable Stains

I've seen stains of dubious origins that would give a crime scene investigator a run for their money. And no, I don't think I'll ever be able to erase those visuals from my mind.

The Pool Incidents

From finding unexpected items (or critters!) in the pool to dealing with poolside injuries, let's just say there's a reason why I never went for a dip even on my days off.

The Room Service Roulette

Delivering room service was always a gamble. Will the guest be fully clothed when they open the door? Most of the time, yes. But sometimes, not so much, making for some situations that were more blush-worthy than a ripe tomato.

The Paranoid Parents

Hyper-vigilant parents and their constant fear of germs, injuries, or any form of fun were a nightmare. I once had to inspect every corner of a room for potential 'dangers' before the family would check-in.

The Honeymooners

Ah, newlyweds! There's nothing quite like explaining to a blushing couple that, no, we cannot fill their bathtub with champagne. Or dealing with noise complaints about, well, enthusiastic honeymoon celebrations.

The Pranksters

Remember the teens who thought it was hilarious to order 32 pizzas to their room at 2 a.m., only to deny it when the delivery guy showed up? Those pranks weren't funny then, and they're not funny now.

The Endless Repairs

If I had a dollar for every time a toilet got clogged or an air conditioner broke down, I'd have enough money to buy my own island. In cash.

The Unseen Labor

The amount of behind-the-scenes work is staggering. Every speck of dust you see, or more often don't see, is thanks to an army of hardworking individuals who mostly go unrecognized.

The Language Barrier

The countless moments lost in translation! From hilarious misunderstandings to frustrating communication roadblocks, it felt like I was playing a game of charades.

The Impatient Businessmen

The fast-paced, high-strung businessmen who couldn't wait a second longer for their dry cleaning or their morning coffee were a daily trial of my patience and sanity.

The Forgotten Reservations

The horror on a guest's face when their reservation was lost or mixed up is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Well, maybe on that one guy who refused to wear anything but a towel in the lobby…

The Unwanted Flirtations

Being hit on by guests was uncomfortable, to say the least. And no, telling them I'm just here to work never seemed to help.

The Unexpected Critters

The mice in the kitchen, the bugs in the rooms, the pigeons in the lobby – dealing with uninvited critters was a task I never signed up for.

The 'Do Not Disturb' Sign Misadventures

If I had a penny for every awkward encounter that a 'Do Not Disturb' sign led to, I'd have… a lot of pennies. Trust me, there are things you can't unsee.

The Emotional Drain

Working in a hotel is like riding an emotional roller coaster. The stress, the frustration, the occasional sadness, it all piles up, making each day a challenge in emotional resilience.

Reflecting on these experiences, I laugh, I cringe, and I appreciate where I am now. My hotel days may not have been the highlight of my life, but they taught me patience, resilience, and the power of a good sense of humor. After all, if I can survive a nude yoga retreat and a ghost-named Bertha, I can handle pretty much anything life throws my way. So, here's to the hotel life, the worst, yet the most character-building part of my journey.