The Curious Case of the “Regular” Who Made His Own Hotel Rules
There are hotel regulars, and then there are Regulars—with a capital R—who know your property better than you do, have a favorite room, and occasionally, just occasionally, decide the rules are more like guidelines. One such Regular recently became a legend on Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk, when he decided check-in time was a mere suggestion and his “usual” room was his by birthright. What happened next? A masterclass in guest audacity, hospitality improvisation, and an internet debate on whether this was senior confusion or senior chutzpah.
Let’s check in (with a key, please!) to this unforgettable front desk tale.
The Scene: A Familiar Face and an Unfamiliar Situation
Many years ago, our story’s original poster (OP) worked at a hotel where one particular guest—let’s call him Mr. Regular—was practically part of the furniture. Always booking the same room, he was so predictable he probably had his own groove worn into the carpet. But on this fateful day, Mr. Regular arrived a little before noon, ready to check in, only to discover his favorite room wasn’t assigned to him this time—and worse, it wasn’t ready.
No big deal, right? OP asked him to check back in an hour. Mr. Regular, easygoing as ever, agreed and set off. But the next call from housekeeping would turn this simple scenario into a classic front desk whodunit.
Breaking In (Sort Of): When Guests Take Matters—and Luggage—Into Their Own Hands
Just minutes later, a housekeeper called the front desk. “Hey, did you check someone into Mr. Regular’s usual room?” she asked. OP, confused, said no—no one should be in there, and, importantly, Mr. Regular didn’t even have a key!
Turns out, while the housekeeper was tidying, Mr. Regular strolled right in, told her he’d been checked in and this was his room (as always), and plopped his bags down. The housekeeper, ever gracious, finished up and called downstairs to clarify. In the end, OP surrendered to fate: “Let’s just check him in to his usual room. Send him down for his key.”
When Mr. Regular arrived, OP couldn’t resist asking: “How did you get in?” The answer? “I just figured I would have the same room, so I went to check if it was ready yet.” And with that, he wandered back to his room—key in hand, victory secured.
The Internet Reacts: Was It Confusion, Entitlement, or a Pro Move?
Reddit, as always, had opinions—and plenty of laughs.
Some saw Mr. Regular’s move for exactly what it was: hotel guest shenanigans at their finest. As u/Dr_StrangeloveGA wryly put it, “He knew exactly what he was doing. That’s why he put the luggage in the room, to make you assign it to him. Asshole.” Others, like u/BillyNtheBoingers, argued that maybe, just maybe, it was safer to let regulars stick to their muscle-memory rooms—less chance of a late-night mix-up or wandering the wrong hallway.
For hotel staff reading along, security concerns dominated the conversation. High-scoring comments from u/Primary_Bass_9178 highlighted why high-end hotels require key cards for elevator access: “It cuts way down on people helping themselves.” Others, like u/TheNiteOwl38, shared how their properties require housekeepers to keep their carts in the hallway with the door closed, preventing exactly these kinds of walk-in surprises. u/mandyhtarget1985 chimed in with a relatable guest perspective, recalling a time a housekeeper insisted she use her own key to enter—even though she’d just been chatting in the hallway. “Has never seen that before, but appreciated the security,” they said, drawing a chorus of agreement.
On the flip side, some commenters (like u/RedDazzlr) speculated that maybe Mr. Regular was simply on autopilot, assuming he’d always get the same room. Others weren’t buying the “harmless confusion” act at all. u/LutschiPutschi declared, “Regular guest or not, I would have been furious if he’d pulled something like that on me.” Their solution? March him back upstairs to retrieve his luggage and deliver a stern reminder: no key, no room—no exceptions.
Lessons Learned: When Politeness Meets Policy (and Audacity)
So, what’s the moral of this hotel lobby legend? On one hand, it’s a lighthearted reminder that some guests will always try to bend the rules—whether out of habit, hope, or a healthy dose of chutzpah. On the other, it’s a call to arms for hotel professionals to keep procedures tight and communication tighter.
As commenters pointed out, the line between “friendly regular” and “policy problem” can blur quickly, and bending the rules for one guest can set a precedent others might try to exploit. “It’s exactly these kinds of situations that create more and more guests who think they can get away with anything without any consequences,” warned u/LutschiPutschi, echoing the silent groans of front desk staff everywhere.
Of course, not everyone saw a villain. Some found the story charming, or at least inevitable in the world of hospitality. “I love posts that begin with ‘many years ago’ as you know you’re in for a well chewed pondered impactful post,” mused u/PiePuzzled5581. And who can argue? Hotel front desks are ground zero for people behaving in ways they never would at home.
Final Thoughts: Would You Have Done the Same?
Was Mr. Regular a harmless creature of habit or a sly rule-bender who knew exactly how to get what he wanted? Should staff have stood their ground, or did they do the right thing by rolling with the punches?
If you work (or have ever stayed) in a hotel, would you let a regular have their “usual” for the sake of harmony, or stick to the letter of the law? Share your best front desk tales, hot takes, or hospitality horror stories below—just don’t forget your key on the way in!
What’s the wildest way you (or your guests) have ever bent the rules? Let’s swap stories in the comments!
Original Reddit Post: But your room wasn't ready....?