How a Jacuzzi, No Music Channels, and a Missing Bubble Bath Ruined One Man’s “Valentine’s Day” at the Hotel Front Desk
If you think working the front desk at a hotel is all about pleasant smiles and handing out room keys, you’re in for a reality check. Sometimes it’s about surviving a tidal wave of entitled demands, questionable romantic holidays, and the eternal mystery: why do some guests expect more for less?
Today’s story comes from r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk, where u/frenchynerd recounts a night featuring a “Valentine’s Day” (in… March?), a missing credit card, and a guest whose weekend was ruined by the lack of music channels and, apparently, bubble bath. If you’ve ever worked a hospitality job—or simply enjoy a little schadenfreude—this one’s for you.
When Romance Meets Reality: The $150 Jacuzzi Room Fiasco
Picture this: it’s a quiet weekend after a season of rowdy hockey guests. The front desk agent is feeling cautiously optimistic, until a man storms down from his King room—complete with a jacuzzi bath—looking like Cupid just shot him with the wrong arrow.
First red flag: No credit card at check-in. Second: his immediate irritation at the required deposit. But it’s after he settles in that the real fireworks begin.
“Your TV is shit,” he declares. “Only 20 stations and no music channels, nothing.” When told the cable package can’t be changed on the spot (shocking!), he amps up the drama: “I paid f*** 150$ for the night and there are no music stations?”
As u/Initial-Lead-2814 and others in the comments noted, music channels aren’t exactly standard these days. “Here in the U.S.,” added u/Severe-Hope-9151, “the last time I remember there being a music channel was over 20 years ago!” The days of flipping on MTV for tunes are long gone—now it’s all about streaming and Bluetooth speakers, as the OP himself wryly observed.
Yet for this guest, that was just the beginning.
The Great Bubble Bath Controversy
It turns out our protagonist wasn’t just after mood music—he wanted a literal foaming bath. “And at that f*** price, there is no foaming bath either?” he demanded.
Here’s where the community’s wisdom shines. As u/TheBobAagard put it, “Apparently, he doesn’t realize that a foaming bath means you added something to it. I’d be wary of a tub that automatically foamed on its own.” Meanwhile, u/sdrawkcabstiho warned: “You never use foaming bath in a Jacuzzi. The jets will multiply the bubbles. The resulting foam can rise fast, spill over the sides, and keep expanding even after the jets are turned off.” Picture a soapy volcano erupting across the bathroom floor—not exactly the romantic getaway this guest envisioned.
The OP clarified in the comments that by “foaming bath,” he meant bath foam—the stuff you pour in to make bubbles. But as u/MorgainofAvalon and others pointed out, most hotels don’t supply this, and for good reason. A little travel hack from the comments: toss in some shampoo if you’re desperate for bubbles (but maybe skip it in a jacuzzi, unless you want to host your own foam party).
Local Legends and the Art of the Impossible Request
Our guest’s next tactic: “I live not far from here! I wouldn’t have come if I knew you would charge me this much for this little!” This is a move so classic, seasoned hotel staff have a code for it. As u/IntelligentLake explained, the “local” guest is notorious: they expect premium service for rock-bottom prices and often get irate when reality doesn’t align with their expectations.
And it’s not just music channels and bubble baths. Hotel workers in the comments shared tales of guests demanding everything from white noise machines (u/Kybran777: “We are not Walmart, people, we can’t just pull items out our ass!”) to Rubik’s cubes on arrival—because apparently, every casino hotel should be prepared for a budding speed-cuber.
The OP chimed in with weary amusement: “Some people come here and expect valet & concierge service, employees to bring the luggage to their rooms, etc. It’s a brutal reality check when they phone from their room to get extra pillows and I tell them to come to the front desk to get some.”
What Do You Get for $150 a Night? (Hint: Not a Gold-Plated Throne)
Let’s put this in perspective: a king room with a jacuzzi, mountain views, and an indoor pool—for $150 on a weekend. In many places, that’s a steal. As u/Jerry7887 and u/Wurfelrolle pointed out, you can’t even get a regular room for that price in some parts of California. Yet, as the OP noted, “the less they pay, the more they expect.”
When all else failed, the guest demanded a $50 discount, declared the room “filthy” (for dust in the HVAC!), threatened to smoke in the room, and accused the staff of ruining his not-really-Valentine’s-Day. The front desk agent remained unflappable, leaving a succinct note for management: “aggressive man.” Then, like any good millennial, they went back to Reddit.
Front Desk Survival: Laugh or Cry?
So, what’s the moral of the story? If you want music channels, bring your own playlist. If you crave a bubble bath, pack some bubbles—just don’t unleash them in the jacuzzi. And if you’re checking into a hotel, remember: front desk staff aren’t magicians, and sometimes, you really do get what you pay for.
To all the hardworking hotel staff out there—may your weekends be quiet, your guests reasonable, and your jacuzzi tubs bubble-free. And for everyone else: what’s the wildest hotel request you’ve ever witnessed? Share your stories below, or check out the full Reddit thread for more hospitality hilarity!
Original Reddit Post: No music channels, no foaming bath and ruined Valentine's Day