Hotel Guest Wonders If They ‘Crossed a Line’ After ‘Snapping’ at Receptionist Who Gave Them the Wrong Room 3 Times

Mar. 15, 2025

Hotel guest arguing with the receptionist.Photo:Getty

Getty

A hotel guest is wondering if their recent outburst was justified after the receptionist allegedly gave them the wrong type of room three times.

In a retelling of the incident shared to the popularAmItheA–hole(AITA) subreddit, the traveler clarifies that they were staying at a “fairly nice hotel” and that they “specifically paid extra” for a room with a king bed and city view.

The original poster (OP) explains that they didn’t react the first time they were given the wrong room, despite being inconvenienced during what they hoped would be a “relaxing getaway.”

“When I checked in, they gave me a room with two twin beds and a view of the parking lot,” the Reddit user explains. “I went back to the front desk, politely explained the issue, and they apologized, saying there was a mix-up.”

Hotel room with a city view.Getty

The receptionist then gave them a key to a new room, but the hotel guest quickly discovered another issue.

“When I got to that room, it still wasn’t right — this time it was a queen bed with no view at all. I was annoyed but kept my cool and went back to the desk again. They apologized again and assured me the next room would be correct.”

However, the OP’s new room assignment was even worse than the two previous rooms, they write.

“The third room wasn’t even cleaned yet — there were towels on the floor and an unmade bed."

Hotel room that hasn’t been cleaned.Getty

“I went back to the front desk and snapped at the receptionist. I didn’t yell or swear, but I raised my voice and told them it was ridiculous that I couldn’t get the room I paid for after three tries,” they explain. “The receptionist looked flustered and said they were doing their best, but I wasn’t really in the mood to hear it.”

While the OP says everything worked out and they were even upgraded to a suite in the end, they later questioned the way they treated the receptionist after relaying their experience to a friend.

“When I told a friend about the situation, they said I overreacted and that it wasn’t the receptionist’s fault because they don’t control room assignments. I feel like I was justified in being upset, but now I’m wondering if I crossed a line. AITA?”

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“As a former hotel receptionist, they’re literally the only ones who control the room assignments. You have every right to be upset. Three times is absurd,” one person wrote.

Another added, “After three mistakes, it’s reasonable to expect better service and express your frustration. The receptionist should’ve handled it better.”

A different user suggested what may have caused the mix-up.

“Receptionists do assign rooms, they probably just over booked that room type and figured you would either just accept the first room without complaining, or give up after the 2-3 time and accept one of those.”

source: people.com