How Getting “Walked” by a Hotel Turned Into a Gouda Experience (See What I Did There?)
If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ve probably heard of the dreaded “walk.” For those blissfully unaware, that’s when a hotel with your confirmed reservation suddenly, regretfully, has no room at the inn—and you’re whisked away to another property. Most of us imagine this scenario as the ultimate travel nightmare, right up there with lost luggage or a toddler kicking your seat for six hours straight.
But what if, just once, getting walked turned out to be a surprisingly gouda experience? (Yes, I went there. Cheese puns are undefeated.)
Let’s Set the Scene: Delays, Floods, and…Cheese?
Picture this: You’re u/AbandonFacebook, a seasoned traveler and, as they put it, a “shiny member” of your hotel chain’s loyalty program. After a flight delayed by storms, a Lyft driver detoured by biblical flooding, and the general chaos that is late-night travel, you finally arrive at your hotel. You’re ready for a hot shower, a soft bed, and the sweet embrace of blackout curtains.
Instead, you hear the words: “We’re so sorry, but we’re overbooked.” Cue the tiny violin.
Most of us, at this point, would have every right to unleash our inner Karen. After all, you played by the rules! You booked ahead! You’re loyal! But u/AbandonFacebook chose a different path: the high road. Instead of drama, they served up politeness. No meltdowns, no desk-pounding—just calm acceptance, even with the memory of past leaky-roofed stays still fresh.
The next day, after being “walked” to another hotel for the night, our protagonist returns to their original hotel, expecting maybe a room, maybe a perfunctory apology, and hopefully their suitcase. What they didn’t expect was a hospitality power move: not only was the room waiting, but their bag was whisked up without fuss—along with a surprise cheese, nut, and fruit platter, and sparkling water. Did I mention they really love cheese?
Why Being Nice Pays Off (And Not Just in Dairy Products)
It’s easy to lose your cool when travel plans go sideways. But here’s the secret sauce (or, in this case, secret cheese): hotel staff are humans too, and they’re often just as stressed by overbookings and weather chaos as you are. When you respond with kindness—even when you have every justification to flip out—you’re more likely to get the kind of service that makes you feel like a VIP, not a problem to be solved.
Hotels don’t want to walk loyal guests. But when Mother Nature throws a tantrum and everything floods, sometimes it’s unavoidable. The guests who get remembered (and rewarded) are the ones who show empathy and patience. In this case, the reward was tangible: a room upgrade, personal baggage delivery, and a gourmet snack spread fit for a cheese aficionado.
Let’s be honest: nothing says “we’re sorry” quite like a tray of assorted cheeses and sparkling water. It’s the universal language of hospitality. (And if you don’t like cheese, well, more for the rest of us.)
The Silver Lining: Making Lemonade (or Cheese Boards) Out of Lemons
This story, which racked up over 540 upvotes and dozens of comments on Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk, is a masterclass in travel karma. It’s a reminder that while travel disruptions can be frustrating, your attitude shapes your experience—and sometimes, just sometimes, the universe rewards your good vibes with a fridge full of brie.
So, next time you’re “walked” by your hotel, take a deep breath. Channel your inner u/AbandonFacebook. Who knows? You might end up with a story (and a snack) to savor.
Your Turn: Have You Ever Been “Walked”?
Have you ever been “walked” by a hotel? Did you get a cheese plate… or just a soggy apology? Share your tales of travel mishaps, unexpected hospitality, and secret hotel perks in the comments below. And remember: kindness might just be the key to unlocking your next room upgrade—or at least a memorable mini-bar surprise.
Bon voyage, and may your cheese always be plentiful!
Sources: - Original Reddit Post
Original Reddit Post: got walked and loved it