For extended projects, Engine lets project managers book hotel accommodations for their entire construction crew in one step, filter for properties near the job site , and extend stays without rebooking from scratch. Set a rate cap to keep nightly costs within budget, use Direct Bill so charges consolidate to a single invoice, and tag bookings by job code for clean project accounting. For crews of nine or more rooms, Engine Groups handles the coordination and negotiates rates for the full block.
Ah, the joys of travel! You pack your bags, grab your family, and head out for a much-needed getaway, only to find that your hotel is… well, let’s just say it’s not quite ready for guests. In the spirit of travel mishaps, let’s dive into a mildly infuriating tale of a family vacation that took an unexpected turn.
Picture this: a sunny day in California, excitement in the air, and a family eagerly anticipating their one-night stay at a hotel right next to the famous Six Flags Magic Mountain. Sounds perfect, right? Well, enter Dad—an experienced traveler who has booked countless hotel rooms for work trips. He’s got this down to a science, or so we thought.
Fast forward to arrival day. The family pulls into the hotel parking lot only to find it suspiciously empty. No other cars? That’s odd. They approach the entrance, and what do they find? A locked door and a view of construction equipment inside. Yes, folks, they had a reservation at a hotel that was still being built. Talk about a plot twist!
Now, I can only imagine the look on their faces. Did they mistakenly book a room in a new development that was as ready for guests as a toddler is for a nap after a sugar rush? You’d think in this day and age of technology, double-checking a reservation at an actual operational hotel wouldn’t be too much to ask. But alas, here we are.
After a few moments of confusion and probably some choice words, Dad picks up the phone. Surely, the hotel would have a backup plan. And they did! They managed to relocate the family to a nearby hotel. But let’s take a moment to appreciate the sheer absurdity of the situation. How does a hotel system allow for reservations at a location that is literally a construction zone? It’s like booking a table at a restaurant that’s still being built. “Yeah, can I get a burger? Oh, wait, we don’t have a kitchen yet.”
This incident is a reminder of the quirks of travel. Sometimes, despite all the planning and experience, things can still go hilariously wrong. And while it’s easy to get frustrated in the moment, looking back, it’s the kind of story that makes for great family memories. “Remember that time we tried to check into a hotel that was just a bunch of construction guys and sawdust?” Classic.
So, next time you’re booking a hotel, maybe throw in a quick Google search to ensure that it’s not a construction site. Or better yet, ask if there’s a chance that they’ll actually be ready for guests. And if you find yourself standing outside a locked door with your family, just remember: it’s all part of the adventure, right?
Happy travels, and may your next hotel stay be fully operational!
Inspired by: “A closed hotel gave us a reservation.” (r/mildlyinfuriating)