Hotels - a bad idea during Covid?

[MikeJ36]

So I was supposed to meet a lady of EI in a hotel (near the airport) this afternoon. I got there on time, parked, went in ... enquired about the parking at reception (and was told it was free for a certain amount of time & shown the machines to validate my ticket) ... but then the staff member asked for the reason for my visit to the hotel.

I came up with the excuse that I was dropping off a set of suitcase keys to a friend who was flying out tomorrow (I had an old pair of keys handy on my keyring that I didn't need), and shouldn't be long calling up to their room...

However, I was then told that it was strictly residents only in the rooms and that either they'd hang on to the keys there for my friend, or that my friend would have to come down to me.

Next came an awkward few mins where I rang the lady to explain, then reception rang her room and double checked with her, she came down to meet me in reception, we had a chat, the receptionist reiterated that I couldn't go upstairs, we did a pretend handover of the keys and I left.

Was kicking myself that I wasn't familiar enough with the hotel to a) know about their parking ticket machines and b) know where the stairs were so I could just confidently walk on through & up... but... just wondering... (after this experience... and not being able to "complete the transaction" today)... is this the norm in hotels at the moment?

[Long Dong Silver]

I would say so, unfortunately. Residents only. Essential workers only. That type of thing.

I'm just amazed at how cool you kept under pressure - I would have been stammering like an idiot.

[MikeJ36]

I'm just amazed at how cool you kept under pressure - I would have been stammering like an idiot.

Ah now... I wouldn't say I was that 'cool'... but I just thought it would be good to have a plan/excuse in place just in case... and I'm not a bad actor ;-)

[Brooksey86]

Not your first punt by the sounds of it and fair play to the escort for playing along. I agree with long dong I’d be having a mini heartattack. I would say So also it’s to out of control at the moment

[mr gear]

That hotel can be a bit tricky

[MikeJ36]

No, not my first - although I'd not class myself as a regular/seasoned punter either! There was a *bit* of a fear that I was 'rumbled' (for about half a second)... no mini heart attack though!.. and still disappointed to have had to leave when I did!

[MikeJ36]

Funny enough you pair joined here on the same month over 7 years ago. Has there always been hostility between you ?

I did notice that ;-)

and no, there's never been hostility between me and anyone here... . I don't get what Marcus' problem is! Don't really care though!

[TheFalcon]

I got a hotel visit wrong one time (long before the days of covid)

I walked straight to the room of the masseuse but just as I was about to knock, I heard a voice "Hey where are you going" and a guy in a suit, manager I assume, right behind me,

"what is the name of the person you are visiting"

I could hardly say her massage name so I just says "actually I will abandon my visit"

Anyway I phoned her, explained, she came down to the lobby then and instead of going for massage we went for coffee and soup,

had a nice chat and she even told me her real name. one of my favourite masseuses, she still operates and I always visit when she is around.

[Wolverine]

I did notice that ;-)

and no, there's never been hostility between me and anyone here... . I don't get what Marcus' problem is! Don't really care though!

Becoming a pro at keeping the cool.

[MikeJ36]

I got a hotel visit wrong one time (long before the days of covid)

I walked straight to the room of the masseuse but just as I was about to knock, I heard a voice "Hey where are you going" and a guy in a suit, manager I assume, right behind me,

"what is the name of the person you are visiting"

I could hardly say her massage name so I just says "actually I will abandon my visit"

Anyway I phoned her, explained, she came down to the lobby then and instead of going for massage we went for coffee and soup,

had a nice chat and she even told me her real name. one of my favourite masseuses, she still operates and I always visit when she is around.

lucky escape... !

"Actually, I will abandon my visit" seems like an unusual thing to say though... how did the manager guy respond to that??