Uncommon Attempts to Bypass Hotel Policies: From Stealing Toothpicks to Secretive Service Animals
As a hotel employee, I've seen my fair share of creative—and sometimes questionable—efforts by customers to get around hotel policies. These stories range from ridiculous to unsettling, and they offer a fascinating glimpse into the lengths some guests will go to in an attempt to break the rules. From claiming toothpicks as evidence of dangers to demanding free nights, and from trying to smuggle small pets in tiny spaces to performing acrobatic stunts with multiple cats, these incidents unveil the underlying motivations and creativity of hotel guests.
Common Attempts to Get Advantage
The most outlandish attempt I ever witnessed was a lady who claimed she had stepped on a toothpick in the pool area and demanded a free night at the hotel. This led to a series of similar claims, such as losing jewelry or stepping on dangerous objects. Some guests even tried to extort the hotel by demanding compensation for unprovoked attacks, like a drunk man who struck a dog in the parking lot. These incidents highlight the lengths some guests will go to in order to secure a free stay or compensation without adhering to the hotel's terms and conditions.
Strict Pet Policies Despite Perception
Another common area of dispute concerns our hotel's pet policy. Contrary to guest expectations, our strict no-pets policy is not based on the size or age of the pet. Guests often try to justify bringing their furry friends by saying, "Oh, our dog is so small and doesn't bark." However, our policy is strictly adherence to a non-pet environment to accommodate guests with allergies. Our commitment to allergy-free accommodations is our primary concern, and to that end, we only allow service animals that meet the specific criteria defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Service Animals: A Legal and Personal Mandate
A service animal, as per the ADA, is a dog, or sometimes a miniature horse, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. This can include alerting guests to a dangerous situation, assisting a blind person, or even alerting someone with a serious health condition such as an epileptic episode. These animals play a crucial role in enhancing the independence of their handlers. However, it's important to clarify that emotional support or comfort animals are not included in the service animal rights.
Stories of Unusual Attempts to Bring Pets Inside
Their attempts to bypass these policies can get quite creative. One woman once tried to smuggle her miniature dog in by hiding it in her bra, a strategy that turned out to be unsuccessful. A family with seven cats faced even more absurd challenges, trying to sneak them in by performing acrobatic tricks and other stunts in the hotel lobby. Despite their efforts, we always make it clear that if a rule is broken, we will either charge a cleaning fee or request that the guest leave. However, we also do our best to handle these incidents with sensitivity and understanding, especially when it comes to the well-being of pets.
Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals
One particularly memorable incident involved a customer bringing in a chicken and claiming it as his emotional support chicken. When we had to turn him away, he returned later, explaining that he had killed the chicken. Surprisingly, he still expected a room key in return. This extreme case made us realize just how creative some guests can be when trying to secure special treatment. It also served as a reminder of our firm stance while maintaining an empathetic approach.
Ultimately, the key to handling such cases is a balance between adherence to policy and compassion for the guests. By clearly communicating our rules and the reasons behind them, we can ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all our guests while maintaining the integrity of our non-pet environment.