As goes transportation, so goes the nation

Another important thing for you to know is that right down the block from the hotel that I work at, there is another hotel that is run by the same administration. That means that both hotels share staff, and that often my job entails dealing with reservations, questions, etc. for that hotel as well.

Anyway, yesterday a computer network guy came in because the wifi at the other hotel, which i shall henceforth refer to as "the inn", was down. The result of his visit? Now neither hotel has wifi, so I'm stuck with the super slow server on the desktop. booo hiss.

Already this morning I've had a really interesting conversation with one of the maintenance guys. I just found out that he grew up in the DC area, so we were talking about that. Of course, that lapsed into politics, and we both agree that a/the key to fixing the situation that America is currently in is improving the infrastructure of the nation... basically, i'm a Whig.

Just now, I was talking to one of the housekeepers.. she had a Thor's Hammer necklace that I asked her about. Turns out she's big on Norse mythology. I told her about my plan to study abroad in Denmark in the Spring (hopefully) and she was super excited about the program.

Last night was kind of epic. I live at a dorm with other employees of the Chautauqua community.. all college kids. Two of the other girls and I went to the local Walmart (I'm sorry, I know it's bad.. but this is the boondocks, I'd have to travel a half hour if I wanted to shop elsewhere). There was quite a bit of bickering, and it took about an hour and a half to purchase less than a cart full of items.

So... I suppose I'll fulfill my promise to talk (type?) about the previously mentioned teasers... let's see, we'll start with:

• What are your rates?

This seems to be a simple enough question, and at most hotels it would be. But this isn't most hotels. Every room in this hotel is different, and pricing is based on seven categories of rooms. These categories are based on the size of the room, the amenities and antiques within the room, and the location of the room. In addition, there are different prices for weekends than for weeknights, as well as for different times of the year. Oh yeah, and conferences and groups often have special rates.

So, a typical inquiry about room rates usually goes something like this:

Guest: Hi, what are your rates?

Me: Well, did you have a specific date in mind, or just in general?

Guest: umm sometime in August?

Me:..... *thinks that guest needs to look up the word "specific" in the dictionary*... well, what sort of room would you be interested in?

Guest: Oh, just a nice room

Me: *thinks, "Oh, well I was going to give you one of the NOT nice rooms, but since you asked* Do you have a preference when it comes to the size of the bed?

Guest: Do you have any King sized beds?

Me: Yes, that would be $195/night on Friday or Saturday nights, and $165/Night Sunday through Thursday

Guest: Oh my. That's Expensive. Do you have anything cheaper?

Me: We do, but not with a king sized bed.

... and so it continues, with them griping about prices and asking whether they're in a "loud" section of the hotel and whether they're on the lakefront and yadda yadda yadda.

Thus, "What are your rates" has come to be one of my least favorite questions.

Teasers...

I don't have the time to go into these now, but I figured I should make a list things I plan to touch on that have happened since I started working here. Hopefully I'll catch up after a while and will be able to tell you my random stories in real time. Until then:

• That time I got bit by a snake
• The ghost(s)
• Pet policy
• Tornado issues
• Restaurants
• Conferences
• "What are your rates?"
• Chinese Acrobats
• Raccoons
• Gossip

If there's one of these you're particularly interested in hearing about, let me know in the comments :-)

Life Behind the Desk

Hello!

So, I decided to start this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, as a desk clerk at a small hotel, I work 8 hour shifts, most of which consist of doing very little actual work (shh, don't tell). Second, I find that many of the people I interact with and situations I find myself in are often worthy of sharing with others.

Worth noting: I will change names to protect the innocent (and the guilty).

So, a little about me and the hotel.

My name is Lori, I'm 19 years old and this is the second summer that I have worked at the same hotel. During the rest of the year, I'm a student studying Sociology at a University in DC.

The hotel where I work is rather unique. It is 134 years old, and is in the middle of a gated chautauqua community. (for those who don't know what a chatauqua is, look it up on wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chautauqua). It is a lakefront property, with a large screened in front porch. It's not like your typical hotel, in that each room is unique, and all are furnished with antiques. There aren't any TVs in the rooms, but we have upgraded them since 1875 though, so it has exciting features like electricity and private bathrooms. A/C is a more recent development.

I work at the front desk, which officially involves checking guests in and out and making reservations; unofficially, I serve as an information desk for the whole surrounding area, a storage closet/lost and found attendant, a counselor for other employees, and a maintenance person.

That's all you need to know for the moment, so this ends the introduction!