Surviving Cheer Competition Weekends: Confessions from the Hotel Front Desk Trenches
If you’ve ever thought working at a hotel front desk was all about checking in polite travelers and collecting loyalty points, let me disabuse you of that fantasy right now. Sure, we get our share of regulars, road warriors, and even the occasional intimidating biker gang member. But nothing — and I mean nothing — sends seasoned staff running for cover quite like a cheer competition weekend.
You might think it’s the packs of energetic kids that are the challenge. But as any front desk veteran will tell you, it’s the mothers — oh, the mothers — who can turn even the calmest hospitality pro into a quivering puddle of nerves. Let’s peek behind the check-in counter and see what really goes down when the pom-poms hit the lobby.
The Cheer Invasion: When Towels Vanish and Rules Bend
You’d expect a bustling weekend whenever a hotel hosts a big group, but cheer competition weekends are a league of their own. Our Reddit storyteller, u/TheNiteOwl38, paints the scene: straggling cheer guests arriving late, all demanding late check-outs as if it’s the sacred right of anyone with a hairsprayed bun.
Here’s the thing: when you’ve got nearly 75 rooms flipping in a single day, housekeeping is already performing logistical gymnastics. Handing out late check-outs willy-nilly would send the whole operation into chaos (and get you a tongue-lashing from the housekeeping manager). Yet, every other guest seems convinced their daughter’s shot at cheer stardom hinges on an extra hour in bed.
But the towel situation? That’s next-level. As OP recounts, “For some ungodly reason these girls all seem to need six towels minimum.” By Sunday, the hotel was on the brink of a linen apocalypse. You’ve never truly known panic until you’re watching the towel supply dwindle with a full house of sweaty, glitter-covered athletes still to shower.
Elite Members, Biker Drama, and the Midnight Milk Crisis
Cheer weekends don’t just attract cheerleaders. Sometimes, you get a “Christian” biker, his entourage, and their late-night cravings. Our night auditor hero handled a scene straight out of a sitcom: a guest demanding milk from a lobby store that didn’t stock it, then pivoting to beers after being denied (well past legal hours). When rebuffed, he tried the classic “super elite level shiny member” card — only to find that not even platinum status can turn back the clock to pre-2am.
The Reddit community had a field day with this. As u/Poldaran dryly noted, “Don’t risk good housemen. Managers or FD daywalkers are far more expendable.” It’s a reminder that while front desk staff often face the fire, there’s a certain camaraderie (and gallows humor) in the trenches.
Cheer Moms: Suburban Royalty or Hospitality Nightmares?
Let’s get to the heart of the chaos: the cheer moms. Commenter u/Valuable_Builder_466 (who works in hotel F&B) didn’t hold back: “The mothers are absolutely demons from hell… rude, condescending, obnoxious, arrogant and straight up nasty.” Forget the kids — the real test of patience comes when you (politely) ask a mom not to snatch a burning-hot plate from your hands, only to have her shoot you a glare that could curdle milk.
The entitlement can be jaw-dropping. “They think and truly believe the rules don’t apply to them… because they paid to stay there,” u/Valuable_Builder_466 vents. Want to eat outside food in the restaurant? Rules are for other people. Want breakfast before the kitchen opens? Clearly, the hotel is plotting against you. Other guests aren’t immune to the fallout either. “I had guests ask me how long this group was going to be in house because their behavior was so atrocious,” the commenter adds, painting a picture of hallway parties and parents who treat public spaces as their personal playground.
And in case you thought it was just one salty staffer, the consensus is clear: “We all cringe when we find out that we have the cheer moms or sports groups in house because our reviews drop because they’re absolutely impossible to please.” As another user quipped, “Heh heh, Veruca Salts. Brilliant” — a nod to the infamous Willy Wonka character, and a perfect description for guests who’ve never been told “no.”
The Takeaway: Empathy, Boundaries, and the Power of “No”
So, what’s the lesson for hotel workers and travelers alike? For staff, it’s the power of clear boundaries and the importance of sticking to your guns, even if it means braving the wrath of a Suburban-driving parent. As OP demonstrates, sometimes you have to be the “bad guy” — politely, firmly, and with a sense of humor intact.
For travelers, maybe it’s a gentle reminder to remember the humans on the other side of the desk (and not to let your towel needs drive an entire hotel to the brink). As much as we all want our stay to be perfect, a little empathy — and a willingness to accept that sometimes, no really does mean no — goes a long way.
And for everyone else? If you’re planning a quiet weekend getaway, maybe check the local events calendar first. If there’s a cheer competition in town, you might want to pick somewhere a little less… spirited.
Have you survived a cheer weekend (from either side of the counter)? Share your best war stories or hospitality horror tales in the comments — misery does love company, after all!
Original Reddit Post: Cheer Competition Weekends Are Not Fun