We once hosted a ‘private’ celebrity event, but staff were told to leak just enough details to attract paparazzi. The hotel got a lot publicity, and the celeb got their ‘unplanned’ headline. Everyone knew the game.

I once had a guest demand a dish that wasn’t on our menu, and when I told them we couldn’t accommodate it, they threw a tantrum. I ended up personally sourcing the ingredients and preparing the dish. I knew they wouldn’t appreciate the effort, but it was a matter of reputation.

When hotels don’t pay for premium listings on the booking site I work at, we sometimes nudge them to spend more on marketing campaigns or higher commissions. If they refuse, we’re told to stop pushing their deals and prioritise the properties that pay extra

What people don't realize is that many of these places will go to extreme lengths to impress influencers and writers.

I once checked into a 5-star hotel in Prague where the concierge slipped me a card for ‘VIP nightlife experiences.’ Turns out, it was a codeword for escort services tied to the hotel’s highest-spending guests.

The guided tour packages we sell at the concierge desk are often 3-4x the cost of booking directly with a local operator. We just pocket the difference. Most guests just don’t bother to look up tours or activities themselves.

I’ve worked at 5 different hotels, and every property operates in the same way. Eco practices are just a facade. During low occupancy, we cut back on room cleanings. Guests who decline housekeeping save us a fortune, and we market it as eco-friendly.

While cleaning the penthouse suite, our staff found a literal gold brick tucked inside a drawer. No note, no explanation, just sitting there. The guest had already checked out, and when management contacted them, they told us to keep it safe until they return next year.

A businessman staying at our resort forgot his anniversary and panicked. The concierge team rushed to arrange a room makeover with candles, flowers, and champagne, then called his wife pretending it was all preplanned. She was thrilled and he tipped the staff $1,000.

The hotel I work at maintains ‘shadow rooms’ - luxury suites that are never listed for booking. These are reserved exclusively for VIPs, celebrities, or even government officials needing absolute discretion. Staff is sworn to secrecy, and these rooms don’t show up in any system.

Back in 2011, I was sitting at a hotel bar when I overheard a guy explaining Bitcoin to his friend.

We don’t steam-clean the sofas in guest rooms unless there’s a visible stain. Trust me, you don’t want a blacklight anywhere near them.

We once had a high-profile guest from Saudi Arabia who requested a room for themselves and a suite for their falcon. We set up perches, food trays, and even a private attendant. The bird was treated better than most guests.