Millionaire Owners, Fake Cameras, and the World’s Loudest Security Guard: Tales From a “Luxury” Hotel
Ever wondered what it’s like to work at a “luxury” hotel owned by people with more money than sense? Picture this: a property so posh it funds an entire portfolio of rundown siblings, but where the security system is held together by hopes, dreams, and a dash of theatrical flair. From fake cameras to a steak-loving intern, this is the wild story of what really happens when millionaires are also masters of cutting corners.
Let’s check in to the madness…
The Rich Are Different—They’re Cheaper
If you think big money means big spending, think again. Our story comes straight from the front desk trenches via Redditor u/Legitimate_Shade, who managed a hotel so swanky it basically subsidized the owners’ other, less fortunate businesses. You’d expect gold-plated everything, right? Instead, the security system was, as the author puts it, “very bad”—and it somehow got worse every year.
How bad? Picture this: cameras installed in the back office were nothing more than expensive decoys, not actually connected to anything. No wires, no recordings, just a silent warning: “Smile, you’re not actually on camera!” The only thing these cameras protected was the illusion of security.
Fake Cameras, Real Consequences
This “security by suggestion” approach had real-world fallout. Years before, an employee was fired for theft after a coworker’s statement and the absence of footage. Only years later did the real thief admit his guilt—over drinks at a bar, naturally. The solution? Don’t invest in actual surveillance—just put up more fake cameras, and hope nobody tests their luck.
Meanwhile, the cameras that did work when the author started their job gradually fizzled out, until only 11 of 32 were functional. And playback? Forget it. If you missed the action live, you missed it for good.
Steak Interns and Security Theater
If the owners’ cost-cutting was legendary, their son’s two-week internship was equally memorable. On day one, he declared the staff microwave unfit for his precious steak. On day two, he brought in a state-of-the-art replacement. For two weeks. When he left, so did his attention span—he reportedly fell asleep during a financial presentation. But hey, at least the staff scored a top-tier microwave!
Security: The Human Touch (and the Loud Voice)
With technology failing, the hotel relied on the most old-school security system of all: actual humans. Three security guards patrolled the property, each with their own quirks:
- The Security Manager: Looked the part, worked the night shift, and—according to legend—slept on the job more than he didn’t. His mere presence, however, was usually enough to calm rowdy guests.
- The Ex-Prison Guard: Tough as nails, but seemingly a magnet for mayhem. During one memorable incident, a drunk guest punched him in the head, then accused security of assault. Luckily, the video system (for once) captured the truth, leading to a rare moment of guest accountability (and a heartfelt apology).
- The Hard-of-Hearing Hero: This older guard’s partial deafness became his superpower. When confronted by a difficult guest, his booming “WHAT DID YOU SAY?”—delivered at volume 11—sent troublemakers fleeing faster than you can say “room service.”
The Grand Irony
The greatest twist? While the hotel’s security was held together by wishful thinking and a few stalwart guards, the owners’ personal home boasted a security system worthy of a Bond villain—so sensitive it could detect a field mouse disturbing a single blade of grass. The contrast left even seasoned maintenance workers speechless.
What’s the Moral Here?
There’s something darkly comedic about a business that spends big on appearances but pinches pennies where it counts. Maybe the lesson is this: In the hospitality industry, sometimes the only thing you can rely on is good people… and, if you’re lucky, a microwave that can handle a billionaire’s steak.
Have you ever worked somewhere with “security theater” or penny-pinching bosses? Share your wildest stories in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this peek behind the front desk, don’t forget to subscribe for more outrageous tales from the world of hospitality. Your next hotel stay might not look quite the same…
(Original story adapted from u/Legitimate_Shade on r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk. Read the full post here.)
Original Reddit Post: Owners were rich, but also very cheap