The Case of the Mysterious Susie: Tales from the Hotel Front Desk
If you think working at a hotel front desk is just about checking IDs and handing out room keys, think again. Sometimes it feels more like starring in your own episode of a reality TV show—one where the plot twists are written by eccentric guests, and the drama unfolds right in the lobby. And when a scruffy stranger comes in, searching for a mysterious “Susie,” things can get weird fast.
Let me set the scene: the air is mildly scented with lobby coffee, your shift is humming along, and then in walks a man straight out of central casting for “Colorful Characters.” He’s looking for a woman, but not just any woman—he’s looking for Susie. And he doesn’t even know her last name.
A Wild Susie Chase Appears
There’s something about hotel front desks that attracts the lost, the hopeful, and occasionally, the heartbreakingly clueless. Our protagonist, u/WagWoofLove, found themselves on the receiving end of one such saga. Imagine: a grizzled man, hair tousled by more than just the wind, shuffles in and asks, “Is Susie here?” No reservation, no last name, just a first name and a whole lot of misplaced optimism.
Now, the first rule of working the front desk is never to give out guest information—especially to anyone who can’t even provide a last name. But our hero played along, feigning a quick scan of the guest list while inwardly wondering what kind of adventure—or misadventure—this man was on.
He claimed he got a message to meet Susie here. When pressed for more details, the story took a wild turn. Susie, it turns out, was an ex-girlfriend, a rebound from his “old lady” who left him after the infamous arrival of “another woman’s t!tt!es” via text message. (Yes, he said that out loud. In the lobby. To the front desk agent.) From the sound of it, Susie herself may have been the sender of said risqué message. Scandalous!
The Booty Call Blues
Let’s pause for a moment and appreciate the layers here. Our man is well into his sixties, dressed for neither romance nor subtlety, and on a quest for what can only be described as a late-in-life booty call. He’s got a lead, a name (sort of), and a voicemail from Susie herself. The only problem? That voicemail, when played for all to hear, says the name of a completely different hotel.
“Sir, that’s a different hotel,” the desk agent explained, with the kind of deadpan delivery that only years of hospitality can teach you.
Did that stop him? Of course not. Hope springs eternal, especially when it’s fueled by nostalgia, longing, and possibly a misunderstanding of modern technology.
Lessons from the Lobby
What can we learn from this delightfully odd encounter? For one, hotel front desk agents are the unsung heroes of awkward social interactions. They’re part detective, part therapist, and part bouncer—all while keeping a straight face.
Secondly, never underestimate the power of a name. Or, in this case, the complete lack of one. (Susie, if you’re out there, you’ve got a fan who’s determined, if directionally challenged.)
But perhaps the biggest takeaway is this: every hotel has its stories, and every front desk agent has a few tales that are stranger than fiction. From mysterious love connections to voicemail mix-ups, you never know what’s coming through the lobby doors next.
The Front Desk Diaries: Share Your Story!
Have you ever been caught in a real-life sitcom at work? Does your job come with stories that your friends refuse to believe? Share your own tales from the front desk—or wherever your workplace adventures happen—in the comments below. Because as anyone in hospitality will tell you: the best stories aren’t made up, they just walk right in.
And if you’re planning your next hotel visit, remember: the front desk knows all, sees all, and sometimes, just maybe, helps a lost soul find their Susie.
So, what’s your strangest customer encounter? Drop it below! Let’s keep the laughs—and the stories—coming.
Original Reddit Post: My strangest experience so far at the front desk