Jumping ship, or How NOT to run a hotel....

No, I'm not quitting, but everyone else is. Yes, I just got word that Casey found a new job and is only able to work one day a week from now on. That's three people who have left while I was here with no replacement in sight. It started with Greg. A super sweet guy who kinda had a mutual falling out. This was just before the holiday season. I figured I would see a new face in the coming weeks, but no. They figured it was cheaper to make us work harder. Now the shit is really hitting the fan.

So note: if you are or planning to become a hotel manger, treat your desk clerks like GODS. After all they are the ones that bring you the money.

It's the cold and flu season!

Yes, I caught a cold thanks to Andy. When we went to see the house on Monday he was all sniffly. I knew I would get it. I always get sick. :P At leats I had a few days off the relax from work.

Oh, and now we are going to me MORE shorthanded! Willie (not my William mind you) gave his 2 weeks. That leaves me and Donna to do the night shift...*sigh* this is going to SUCK!!!

The Secret Life of Hotels: Finding the right one.

As most of you know I have spent many years studying and working in the hotel business. Heck, some of you were right there studying with me! Well, after many months on the job, I noticed the lack of knowlage the public has about the hotel system. So as a service to the public, I have devised a on going column. Not only will you save money on your next trip, but you might make a desk clerk very happy.

So, you decided to stay in a hotel for your next trip. How do you know you are getting a good deal. Well the answer is you don't. Since service is not a something you can mass produce, it hard to tell what you are getting into. That's why research is key. Before you book any room look at what they offer, location, and any awards they may have won. This is why many people in our field still go through travel agents.

A professor once told me that a travel agent it like a good barber. You have to trust them with your outcome. If it good, you will come to them back again and again. This is true. But, why go to one in the first place? Well, agents unlike most jobs are given trips by companies in order to give them an experience to sell their product. So they can give you a real world experience of what a trip might be like. Sadly thanks to internet travel agents, most have had to charge a small booking fee to stay in business. But its pennies to compared the quality of your trip and hotel experience!

So what of the internet? Well, if convince is your game than by all means go for it. But here's some things to be aware of: all hotel descriptions are posted by a hotel employee not by an agent who's actually stayed there. I know, I've done one for Hotels.com. We are given a email with a small box and asked to describe the hotel. Of course we candy coat everything with nice words like "sparkling indoor pool and spa." And guest reviews are sometimes posted by employees of the company. So be weary. Oh there are more pros and cons to the internet that I will get to on the next chapter.

Finally, you could call the hotel directly. This is one of the best ways to find out about the hotel. The desk clerk can keep you up to date with any changes on services and amenities, not to mention location and all that good stuff. But call during slow times, about 1PM to 3PM, if you have a lot of questions. You won't get much out of us during the busy hours.

Contract Pending

Woot! I like those words! Yes ladies and gentlemen we almost have the house. After some negotaions the lady got off her high horse and settled on our offer. Finally, I don't have to suffer the thought of "spending time" with my husband in my childhood home. Yes, it feels akward...

Crossing fingers for a new home!

William and I have spent the weekend looking at houses. We have been wanting to move on our own for a while now. We saw one that we fell in love with! And last night we made a bid on it! I do hope the buyers accept it. It's the perfect home for us.

A happy new year?

*sigh* What a pathic new year's eve this is! Guess were I am. Yup, at work! I celebrated by folding sheets all by myself. Whoo hoo, this year is starting out, great...:P 3 nights in a row of all night, non-stop folding...yippie!

Sometimes I think the job is making me a grinch. It sucks not being able to celebrate holidays. Well, what did save my night were the guys in 321! They gave me a beer to celebrate. They even offered me more when they came back. They are so sweet!