The Real Reason Hotels Have That Fancy Overhang (And Why Ignoring It Might Kill Your Car Battery)
If you’ve ever pulled up to a hotel, you’ve probably noticed that big, covered driveway at the entrance—the porte cochere. Maybe you thought it was just a bit of architectural flair, or a spot for the valet to work their magic. But as one front desk worker recently shared on Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk, that overhang exists for a reason—and ignoring it can lead to a comedy of errors, a dead car battery, and a morning full of regret.
Let’s dive into a snowy night, a stubborn guest, and a sequence of events that reads like a cautionary tale for every weary traveler with a rental car.
The Scene: Snow, Exhaustion, and the Legendary Porte Cochere
Our story unfolds on a frigid, blustery evening. The protagonist, a front desk worker (u/ru-yafu0820), is wrapping up a long shift when Ms. B, a travel-worn guest, arrives close to midnight. She’s battled airport delays and the kind of winter weather that makes you reconsider ever leaving home. All she wants is a warm room and to forget the day.
But upon check-in, Ms. B is handed a parking permit and told she needs to put it in her car—right away. Cue the drama: “Is it really necessary?” she protests, citing the hotel’s website, the late hour, and the swirling snow. When told about the risks of not having a permit—like strangers camping out in the lot—she’s unmoved: “All of this for a stupid parking permit.” Our front desk hero relents, noting they won’t enforce towing and only ask for the car’s make and model. Ms. B provides: “Nissan Altima.” No color, no license plate, and certainly no extra effort.
She stomps off, leaving the front desk with that sinking feeling every hospitality worker knows: you can warn guests, but you can’t make them listen.
Lessons in Convenience (and Karma)
Here’s where things get interesting. As the night staff heads out, they spot an Altima—headlights and interior lights blazing—sans parking permit. With at least ten Altimas in the lot (because apparently, that’s the rental car of choice for road-weary travelers), there’s no way to match the car to the guest. And since there’s no enforcement, no towing, no way to contact the owner, the staff can only shrug and hope for the best.
By morning, the car is dark, but not in a good way. Battery? Stone cold dead.
Ms. B storms to the desk, late for a meeting and desperate for jumper cables. The staff offers to call a cab (on her dime), or she can wait until the manager arrives—with cables—in two hours. She’s livid, indignant, and somehow, this is all the hotel’s fault. When asked (again) about the parking permit, she laughs, “No, I was told I didn’t need one!” She stomps off, only to return when the manager finally jump-starts her Altima. No thank you, no apology—just a quick exit.
As u/RoyallyOakie quipped in the comments, “You just know her entire life is a series of self-inflicted misadventures.” Ouch.
Community Wisdom: Permits, Parking, and the Perils of Hospitality
The Reddit community had thoughts—lots of them. Several seasoned hoteliers chimed in, sharing tales of stubborn guests and why the “check in before you park” rule is gospel. As u/Zealousideal_Lack936, a veteran traveler, explained, “I pull up to the front door, check in, get my bags, take my bags to the room, then move the car to a parking spot… I’ve had issues and needed to change hotels so not parking until things are settled has its advantages.” It’s not just about convenience; it’s about flexibility and avoiding exactly the kind of hassle Ms. B experienced.
Others pointed out the practical side: parking permits aren’t there to annoy you—they’re your lifeline if something goes wrong. u/basilfawltywasright joked, “Without their license plate number, we do not know who not to call at 3:00am when we find a car with its headlights on.” OP even mused about using this line, though maybe in a less “rude” way.
There was debate about whether rental cars can be easily identified (spoiler: most agencies no longer label their cars for privacy and theft-prevention reasons, as u/Textually_Frustrated, a rental car employee, explained). And as u/rostofer73 noted, even when you ask for make, model, and color, “So many people scoff at this, and don’t fill the box,” leading to missed opportunities to help when things go sideways.
Hospitality: A Thankless Job (But Someone’s Gotta Do It)
Perhaps the most poignant takeaway? Hospitality is about helping people—sometimes even when they’re at their least cooperative. As u/reb678 observed, the word “hotel” shares its roots with “hospitality,” meaning “taking care of people.” It’s a tough, often thankless gig, with guests who refuse to help themselves and sometimes blame you for their own misfortunes.
Should the manager have come in early to jump Ms. B’s car? Most commenters said, “absolutely not.” As u/VermilionKoala put it, “She deserves to pay the price of her own stupidity and shitty behaviour.” But the OP’s team still went above and beyond. No good deed goes unpunished, right?
And as for the parking permit? Next time you’re tired and grumpy and ready to ignore hotel protocol, remember: that little slip of paper could be your safety net.
The Moral: A Little Effort Goes a Long Way
The next time you pull up to that big, decorative overhang, know that it’s not just for show. It’s a place to pause, check in, and make life easier for everyone—including yourself. Get your permit, unload your bags, and save yourself a cold, inconvenient morning of jumper cables and missed meetings.
And maybe—just maybe—give the front desk a little credit. They’re doing their best to help, even when you make it hard.
Have a hotel horror story or a tip for surviving the check-in chaos? Share it below—your tale might just save someone else from a frosty fate!
Original Reddit Post: Porte Cochere ain't there for decoration