The Great Mennonite Migration: Behind the Scenes of a Seasonal Hotel Hustle
Every year, as the leaves fall and the northern air gets that unmistakable bite, a unique migration begins—not of birds, but of minibuses packed to overflowing, heading south from Alberta, Canada, all the way to sunny Mexico. No, this isn’t the world’s quirkiest road trip documentary (though it should be). This is the annual Mennonite migration, and if you’ve ever worked in hospitality along their route, you know it’s a season all its own.
Picture this: You, working the front desk at a highway hotel, see a convoy pull in—children peeking through the windows, women in traditional bonnets, and a patriarch approaching to book “a room with two beds.” If you’re new to the game, you might think, “Oh, two beds, four people, easy.” If you're experienced? You brace yourself for a human Tetris situation that would make even the savviest event planner sweat.
Hotel Hijinks: Cash, Caravans, and CAA Cards
Let’s break it down. These Mennonite families, many of whom trace their roots from Mexico back to Alberta, travel en masse—think two parents, six to eight kids, and sometimes extra relatives. When they ask for "a room with two beds," they're not being modest about their needs; they're being Mennonite. Somehow, they plan to fit a near baseball team’s worth of people into a space built for four, and, if you let them, some will gladly sleep on the floor, in the closet, or possibly on an air mattress they’ve discretely snuck in.
But the fun doesn’t stop with room assignments. Payment is its own adventure. While most hotels have moved to a “no cash” policy for reasons ranging from security to accounting headaches, Mennonite travelers are steadfast in their preference for greenbacks. Not because they’re up to something shady—it’s just tradition, and sometimes, necessity. The hitch? Their cash may have taken a few detours, often through “border brokers” who aren’t exactly the Bank of Canada. The result? Occasionally, a few counterfeit bills sneak through, and suddenly, your night audit turns into a crash course in forensic detection.
Then there’s the discount dance. “We have AAA… or is it CAA?” they’ll say, producing a membership card that looks like it was printed on a dot-matrix printer in 1994, or perhaps “purchased” at a border gas station. The intent isn’t always deception—sometimes it’s simply a sincere belief in a good deal. But every front desk veteran has had to gently explain that “AAA” does not, in fact, stand for “Any Amount of Adults Allowed” in a double room.
Rumors, Regulations, and Room Capacities
One of the most delicate balancing acts is enforcing fire codes and occupancy limits. You want to be hospitable, but when a family of ten attempts to squeeze into a double room, it’s not just about comfort—it’s about safety and legality. Cue the awkward conversation: “I’m sorry, sir, but fire code only allows four people in this room. You’ll need to book another.” Sometimes, this is met with understanding. Sometimes, with stories of other hotels’ more relaxed policies, followed by a polite but firm exit. (And yes, the next hotel in line probably does let them pile in with a wink and a nod.)
It’s not about malice or cunning—often, it’s about hearsay, family lore, and doing things “the way we’ve always done them.” For every would-be rate negotiator or card-carrying “AAA” member, there are even more Mennonite guests who are friendly, respectful, and just genuinely want a place for their family to rest after a long day of driving.
A Migration Unlike Any Other
So why do they do it? The answer is simple: tradition, family, and community. These aren’t just road warriors looking for a cheap nap; they’re generations-spanning families reconnecting with roots, reuniting with relatives, and preserving a unique cross-border heritage that stretches from the Canadian prairies to the Mexican plains.
For hotel staff, it’s a test of patience, improvisation, and (let’s be honest) front desk storytelling skills. For the rest of us, it’s a fascinating glimpse into a subculture that’s equal parts old-fashioned and endearingly persistent.
Final Thoughts: Tales from the Front Desk—and Beyond
The Mennonite migration is more than just a busy season for hotels; it’s a living, rolling slice of cultural history, complete with its quirks, challenges, and—yes—occasional counterfeit bills. Next time you see a convoy of vans heading south, give a little wave. And if you’re manning the front desk, keep your sense of humor handy—and maybe a guide to Canadian fire codes, just in case.
Have you ever experienced the great Mennonite migration from behind the counter—or as a traveler yourself? Share your own tales (and tips) in the comments below!
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Original Reddit Post: Annual Migration of the Mennonites