Snowstorm Showdown: When Upstate NY Hotels Become Hostage Negotiation Arenas
Winter in upstate New York isn’t for the faint of heart. Picture this: a blizzard so intense the state declares an emergency, flights are canceled left and right, and the only way out is…well, there isn’t one. Now, imagine you’re not just a guest, but the front desk hero who can’t leave either—sleeping in a hotel room between shifts, trapped with a cast of snowbound travelers who suddenly morph into expert negotiators, amateur construction inspectors, and discount detectives.
This isn’t the intro to a new sitcom or a Stephen King novel—it’s the real-life tale of one hotel worker’s snowy standoff, as hilariously and exasperatingly recounted on Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk.
Blizzard Bargaining: When “No” Means “Try Again, Louder”
Our story’s narrator, u/Own_Examination_2771, is stuck living at their workplace thanks to a winter wallop that’s left upstate NY airports—and patience—frozen solid. Enter a stranded couple whose travel plans have melted faster than a snowman in July. With flights canceled, they’re forced to extend their hotel stay, and see this as the perfect opportunity to test the very limits of front desk generosity.
The negotiations start predictably enough. The posted rate: $159. The “shiny” discount: $136. Our brave front desk agent, moved by the couple’s plight (or maybe sheer snowbound delirium), offers an even lower rate: $122. But for these guests, every price is merely a starting point.
“Can’t you go lower? Are you sure? Is there absolutely, positively NOTHING you can do?” they plead, as if reciting a magic spell that will unlock $59-a-night rates at a hotel that, as our hero clarifies, is definitely not a motel.
Redditor u/lady-of-thermidor nailed the dynamic: “They’re going to keep pushing you. It’s no risk and costs them nothing. Only thing you can do is stop pretending they’re doing a good faith negotiation.” And in a blizzard, what else is there to do but haggle for sport? As u/FluffyApartment596 chimed in, “And they’re bored.” Suddenly, the hotel lobby is less a place of hospitality and more of a flea market in a snow globe.
Snow, Shovels, and a Side of Entitlement
But the drama doesn’t end with discount diplomacy. The husband soon appears at the desk, bearing news of a malfunctioning back door. Our multitasking desk agent braves the icy blast, shovel in hand, to clear the offending snow. The guest’s response? A look that says, “Surely you could do more.”
This, as u/Catona wryly observed, is classic: “He was probably hoping to get a discount for the inconvenience and safety issue of the door not closing properly, lol.” Because why not try for a twofer—extra amenities and a lower bill?
Throughout, the couple keeps returning, each time hoping repetition will wear down the hotel’s resolve. If only there were frequent flyer miles for nagging.
Renovation Ruckus: Can You Hammer Quieter, Please?
The hotel itself adds a bonus challenge: a “soft renovation” with new carpets, fresh paint, and the gentle lullaby of power tools. Just before 6 pm, the phone rings—it’s our discount duo, now seeking silence. Can the construction crew “keep it down?” Can the front desk ask them to “stop early?” The answer, delivered with the weary grace of someone who hasn’t left the building for days: just 15 more minutes, folks.
The guest, an alleged hospitality construction veteran, is scandalized. “I’ve never dealt with anything like this before,” she sighs, hanging up and leaving our narrator to marvel at her resilience.
As u/MrsRobinsonBlog offered in the comments, this is a classic case of managing expectations. “That’s why I’ve learned to give them the rate. Period.” Dragging out the discount dance just emboldens the determined. Sometimes, the only winning move is to stop playing.
Lessons From the Front Lines (and the Comment Section)
What’s a snowed-in hotelier to do? The Reddit community’s wisdom ranges from the practical (“Travel Insurance!” as several pointed out) to the philosophical (“No good deed goes unpunished,” quipped u/jh789-2). Some suggest offering the full price first, then letting guests feel like they’ve worked down to a “secret deal”—because perception, it turns out, is everything.
Others, like u/CallidoraBlack, bring the tough love: “We don’t have that money, ma’am. We have no control over whether or not you bought travel insurance for flights in upstate NY when it’s almost January.” And for those serial complainers laying groundwork for a free night? “If they want a free night this way, then they aren’t happy here and need to leave the property immediately. No charge if they leave now,” advises u/no-thanks-thot.
In the end, empathy helps, but boundaries help more. Or, as u/Hot-Initial-1108 puts it: “If people are idiots they will not change, that is who they are. If they are entitled, they will expect more services for free…if they are nice—reward them and they will reward you back with a simple ‘thank you’ or ‘I appreciate your help.’”
The Moral of the Storm: Surviving (and Laughing) Together
So, next time you’re snowed in at a hotel and tempted to become a champion negotiator, remember: the person behind the desk is probably just as stuck as you are, running on caffeine, snow boots, and sheer willpower. All anyone wants is a little warmth, a fair rate, and maybe—just maybe—a bit of peace and quiet (renovations permitting).
Have you survived a hotel snowpocalypse or witnessed epic guest negotiations? Share your wildest travel tales below—bonus points for blizzard stories and inventive discount strategies! And if you’re working the front desk, stay strong. Spring is only a few snow emergencies away.
Original Reddit Post: snow weather brings in the crazies