Everyone has a travel story about a hotel room that did not quite live up to the photos. But a family that shared a room tour on social media may have found one that truly stands out, from the missing light switches to a microwave sitting there unplugged.
The tour comes from @josie.mama.and.the.dogs, who starts by saying this is one weird hotel room. She is quick to add that the man at check-in was very kind. Then she takes everyone around the room, with her family chiming in with commentary, and the jokes come fast.
The first thing they notice is the carpet. It is everywhere, they say, and that includes the area around the sink.
@josie.mama.and.the.dogs
No switches, no problem?
Next comes the part that gets the biggest reaction. There are no light switches. They search the walls and find none, until someone spots a single light that does turn on. As the creator puts it, this is a hotel room. The built-in furniture gets a laugh too, described as 1990s IKEA built-ins.
In the eating area, they point out food that has been crusted into the surface, which they agree is gross. The bathroom, on the other hand, gets a more forgiving review. At least we can wash our hands, she says, and adds that it does not bother her. It may not be the newest, but it is not terrible either.
Back in the main room, there is an office rolling chair paired with the kitchen set, which she calls great. The room has a small air unit that is only mildly cold, and the family decides they will not be touching certain things.
The microwave and the mirror
The pieces that give the room its personality are the small ones. A microwave sits there not plugged in, and she says that this is, thankfully, the newest thing in the whole place. Then comes the mirror, which has a couple of marks that have the family wondering. One of them, they decide, is just where someone’s skin touched the glass and left a smudge. The smell of the room draws a few jokes as well.
At one point someone wonders aloud whether people live here long term. It is a fair question, since some budget hotels do rent rooms by the week or month, and it would explain the kitchen setup. But it is not the kind of thing most families expect when booking a night on the road.
The family keeps its sense of humor throughout, ending with the line that it is a really exciting experience and so fun. When a room is this far from what you pictured, laughing might be the best way to get through the night.
What to do when your room is not what you booked
If you find yourself in a place like this, you have more options than you might think. Here is how to handle it without ruining the trip.
- Look before you unpack. Take two minutes to check the room, the bathroom, the bed, and the smell before you bring in your luggage. It is much easier to ask for a change before you are settled.
- Take photos. Pictures of anything dirty, broken, or missing give you a record if you need to ask for a refund or a different room.
- Go back to the front desk right away. Be polite and specific. Something like, “The room has a stained table and no working lights, could we move to another room?” works better than a general complaint. Hotel staff can often fix a problem quickly when they hear about it early.
- Ask for the manager if needed. If the first person cannot help, ask for a manager. Many have the authority to move you, discount your stay, or refund it.
- If you booked through a travel site, contact them too. Many sites have a policy for rooms that do not match the listing, and reaching out the same day helps.
- Write an honest review. Be fair and factual. Reviews help the next family choose, and they give the hotel a reason to improve.
Before you book next time
Read recent reviews, not only the star rating, and sort them by newest. Look for photos posted by guests, not just the ones the hotel supplied. Pay attention to words that come up again and again, such as dated, musty, or noisy. And check the cancellation policy so that you can change plans if the place turns out to be a surprise.
The family in this story did not say how things ended, and it is not clear whether they stayed or moved on. But their tour is a good reminder that a little checking up front, and a good attitude, can save a lot of trouble.
Finally, pack a few small things that make any hotel stay easier: a flashlight or a phone with a charged battery for dark rooms, a travel-size disinfecting wipe for tables and remotes, and your own pillowcase if you are particular. They weigh almost nothing and can turn a rough night into a manageable one.
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