Hotel Stories Podcast

Hoteliers are you out there? Wow, it's been a while and we are here to talk about all of it. Sam Tucker, Director of Sales & Marketing for the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, Texas talks about what it was like to be the only Director to close the doors of the Adolphus since it opened in 1912! We also welcome the hilarious Riley Nail, Brand Director of Makeready. Riley entertains us with his stories of celebrity mishaps, like escorting someone to a television interview where they fell asleep after a night of partying as his hotel. See how Riley handled it like the professional he is. We also discuss all of the fun we've had managing hotels during a global pandemic. Please rate us on iTunes, review and subscribe.

This week we welcomed special guest and McAllen native, Erika Curry. You'll be 'shocked' at her stories of being a teenager in McAllen.

Thank you to one reviewer who gave us the top three tips for staying alive at a bad motel. Really they can be helpful in many situations. So learn this and where not to stay in Myrtle Beach according to TripAdvisor reviews.

We're back and I needed these laughs so much. Sam, found some of my favorite reviews this week. I always love when the police show up telling everyone to hit the floor and the reviewer still goes on to mention a leaky faucet. Keep the reviews coming and don't forget to rate and review us on iTunes.

Update

We've heard a lot of horrifying experiences on the podcast but this week... When a man took down his mirror to find a life size hole in the wall with access to a hallway. WTF??

This week we hear the story of a young girl visiting Atlantic City with her friend. She is taken from the bar by 10 security guards and held for 5 hours. Listen to the story and tell us if you believe the hotel or the young girl. hmmm...

A lot is going down at night in Omaha hotels, who would have thought? So, if you are traveling to Omaha, please do your research and don't end up in the middle of a sting operation with the SWAT team.

Oklahoma City hotel guest were experiencing some strong feelings with these hotels. No hotel guest were accused of being a prostitute this week but several shared a hotel with one.

Another round of your favorite TripAdvisor reviews. This week we visit Austin, Texas. Where a man checks into the wrong room, which sometimes happens. However this time the occupant pulls a gun on him. At this hotel 'we don't call the police'

Christine Trippi has held just about every position in the hotel industry from Shuttle Driver to General Manager. In her current role, she travels around the country and works with Marriott Hotels who are in need of leadership, training and guidance. Her new book is called Yes is the Answer and it walks you through 4 easy steps on how to answer any guest question. *BONUS: it also works on husbands, wives, kids, friends*

"Jesus, God, Don't Do It" might be my favorite TripAdvisor review title. See what hotel received this subtle outcry and what prompted such a response in this week's episode of Hotel Stories Podcast.

The Queen herself couldn't be as demanding as some people on TripAdvisor. But a special shout out to the woman (traveling alone) who walked into the hotel lobby which was "covered in blood" and was upset at how long it took to her room key. What a fun way to go through life!

Hola, bienvenido a Cancun. This week we visit the beautiful beaches of Cancun and the top notch hotel employees who keep all your secrets. I'm looking at you Desire hotels. Hear about the amazing hotel employee who not only rode in the ambulance with a guest to the hospital but also flew home with her to the United States after she broke her wrist and ribs and couldn't travel alone. Please rate us on iTunes, gracias.

Oh no! We're in Houston. "Oh no!" also happens to be the phrase a GM uses every. single. time. he responds to a guest on TripAdvisor. It makes for a fun drinking game. Come play along.

Are you watching Big Little Lies? Yes, of course you are. Well let's take a trip to the setting of the show. Are the TripAdvisor reviews as pretentious as the characters on the show? You know they are, so stop asking and listen because you're in for a real trip to crazy town. Also, a special thank you to the hoteliers who are working in Monterey.

Let's face it, we all wish we lived in San Francisco which is why it's so damn expensive.  If we can't afford to live there we can visit and stay at some of the greatest hotels.  This week we look at The Tenderloin Hotels as well as a few luxury hotels like the St. Francis, Fairmont, InterContinental, and more.  

What a fascinating trip around the world with Rocco Bova. Rocco is currently the General Manager of the stunning resort Chable in the Yucatan. Roco takes us through his hotel story of growing up in Southern Italy and how he managed to work at some of the greatest luxury hotels. His career has spanned Italy, London, Singapore, India, Dominican Republic and many more. Aman Resorts, Four Seasons and many more. Enjoy this weeks episode.

Boo! It's always amazing what people put on TripAdvisor but this week... WHAT. IS. HAPPENING?!?! A man see's only Japanese ghost, while another man talks about being sodomized by ghosts (ON TRIPADVISOR!) Why am I yelling? It's a fun episode and Sam's impression of an annoyed gay ghost really tied the episode together.

St. Louis has a lot to offer especially when it comes to crazy TripAdvisor reviews. Like Jennifer's review of the Clayton Plaza Hotel where two man ghosts visited her and her friend in the night. "You in trouble girl" Or the seven year old who found an adult sex toy under the bed. Enjoy our walk through awkward TripAdvisor reviews.

Wow! Miami, you really showed up for this episode. A woman accused of being a prostitute, several people write reviews for hotels they never even stayed and a shady complaint about some missing money on a girls weekend.

This week we're heading to NOLA to hear from Truth Teller who shares her experience of a rat chasing her to the hotel's kitchen. Also we visit the Olivier House Hotel and hear from Jim. Jim might be the best hotelier to ever respond to TripAdvisor reviews. Where should we visit next week? Send us a message at hotelstoriespodcast.com

This week Sam and I read you our favorite TripAdvisor reviews from Reno. Lots of laughs sprinkled with a little sadness at some of the situations guests got themselves into.

Enjoy another round of TripAdvisor reviews including a hotel accusing a guest of stealing and threatening to call the police and a woman who wants a refund because a 4 year old ghost child interrupted her stay. 

Sam and Tracie are back with another round of TripAdvisor reviews for you.

This week, I'm taking a departure from our normal episodes. Listen as Sam Tucker and I retell you some of our favorite TripAdvisor reviews.

This week Todd tells the story of his going away party that ended in the GM being fired, how he handled a situation with a sex worker who refused to leave the hotel and how he connected with his team by cooking them breakfast once a week. Todd also had the opportunity to work in LA and witnessed the best stories of celebrities giving back. You can also hear Todd talk about his current role with TNS Lifestyle which is the exclusive hotel operator and developer for the Meow Wolf Hotel.

This week Sam talks about how he started in hotels and the jobs he worked along the way to his current role as the DOSM of the historic Adolphus Hotel. His stories include the time he entertained Patti LaBelle in the lobby because her room wasn't ready and the time a coworker brought a stray dog to work and it bit me in the face.

Listen to Winter tell the story of her fake tooth falling out of her mouth twice in one week, with customers.  859aXqk56OWK7jjiii6k

Chirine tells us about the time she was working the front desk when a Satanic Group attempted to sacrifice a goat in the ballroom. Also, what do you do when you're MOD and it's your job to stop an adult film shoot in one of the guest rooms? Never a dull moment in the hotel industry.

This is the Pilot Episode of the weekly podcast Hotel Stories. Join us every Tuesday when a new hotel employee will share the best and worst stories they've experienced. The pilot episode takes us on a journey of a bloody mattress. Be sure to check back every Tuesday for new episodes.