The Early Check-In Chronicles: Entitled Influencers, Husky Hijinks, and Hospitality Headaches
Nothing tests the patience—and creativity—of a hotel front desk agent quite like the dreaded “early check-in” request. It’s a Monday morning, the sun is barely up, and before the first pot of coffee is brewed, your phone is already lighting up with demands. But what happens when the early bird isn’t just any guest, but a marketing-comped influencer with a husky in tow? Welcome to a day in the life of u/Practical_Cobbler165, as shared on Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk.
Let’s peel back the lobby curtain and see what really goes on in the hospitality world when the “influencer” crowd comes knocking—sometimes before the regular check-in hours and almost always with a little extra “baggage.”
It’s Always Monday in Hospitality
Our tale begins at 6:45 a.m.—that sacred time when most folks are still snoozing, but our hero is bustling in to open up breakfast. There’s no night auditor on duty, meaning every overnight issue, every voicemail, and every blinking light on the front desk console is now their problem. Before the first bagel can be sliced, the front desk voicemail pings: “Hi! I’d like to request an early check-in…”
Oh, the sweet symphony of a Monday morning! And as soon as call forwarding is turned off, the phone rings again. Guess who? It’s our early-bird guest, eager for her key before the roosters crow.
Influencer Entitlement: The Sequel Nobody Asked For
You might guess this guest has flown in from a distant land, desperate for a shower and a nap. Nope—she lives an hour away. But she’s not just any guest. She’s a last-minute, marketing-comped influencer, “famous” (at least in some circles) and now gracing the hotel with her presence.
Marketing had comped her a room for a promotion… that ended a month ago. She missed out on the actual event, but, hey, what’s hospitality if not endlessly accommodating?
The guest sweetly mentions she’ll be bringing her dog. No sweat—there’s a $75 pet fee. But why pay for services when you can simply ask to have them waived? The request arrives as predictably as the sunrise. And for those playing along at home, yes, the dog is a husky—a breed famous for shedding, howling, and generally turning hotel rooms into a winter wonderland of fur.
Room Jenga and the Art of “Yes, Ma’am”
Now, it’s not just about checking in early. It’s about rearranging reservations, pulling off a feat of room Jenga so that our influencer and her four-legged friend can get in by 10 a.m.—a full five hours before regular check-in. Front desk staff know this pain. Every “yes” to an early check-in means a cascade of behind-the-scenes hustle: coordinating with housekeeping, shuffling rooms for other guests, and silently praying that nothing goes wrong before noon.
But it’s never enough. “Can you waive the pet fee?” comes next. Because, after all, isn’t exposure and a few Instagram stories worth more than $75?
Influencer Culture vs. Reality: The Hospitality Edition
Here’s where the tale really gets juicy. Our influencer isn’t even here to create content. She’s not collaborating on a campaign or hosting a photoshoot. She’s simply… here. Because she can be. The original ice cream brand promo? Ancient history. The comp room? Still valid, apparently. The sense of entitlement? Off the charts.
For those in the service industry, this story is all too familiar. The influencer-industrial-complex has trained a generation to expect perks, upgrades, and waivers for the low price of a potential Instagram story—if they remember to post it. Meanwhile, it’s the front desk worker who’s left to juggle logistics, field requests, and try to keep a smile on their face when all they really want is another cup of coffee.
The Takeaway: Be Kind to Your Front Desk Hero
What can we learn from this tale of early mornings, influencer drama, and husky fur? For starters, hospitality workers are miracle workers—juggling requests, managing expectations, and handling a wild array of personalities, all before most people have started their day.
So, next time you check into a hotel (on time, preferably), spare a thought for the front desk staff. Their stories are wild, their patience is legendary, and their commitment to customer service is unmatched—even when it comes at the cost of an early check-in for an influencer and her howling companion.
Have your own tale of hotel hijinks or influencer antics? Drop a comment below! And if you’re one of those early check-in types, maybe—just maybe—bring the front desk agent a coffee next time.
What’s your wildest hotel story? Share your experiences in the comments!
Original Reddit Post: I hate early check in