First hotel shop - in my own city?
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Depending on your age, you could say your son or daughter is having a party and you don't want to be home for it (works well if you're old enough to have college age kids). You're having the bathroom remodeled and can't stay in your house during that time. Your parents are in town, and don't like sleeping in hotels, so you're letting them have the bed and you're the one at the hotel. You're celebrating your anniversary with a night out. I've been asked "What brings you to town?" (for a hotel about 45 miles from home) and said my dad was having surgery in the morning at the hospital close by and I didn't want to drive in rush hour traffic. It's also a nice place to rest and relax during the operation, if it'll last several hours. Really, the best thing is to have a 'back story' but don't go into details unless they ask. "It's our anniversary" or "The bathroom is being remodeled" should be good enough without going into detail, but be prepared if they ask how long you've been married or who the contractor is.
I doubt anyone cares why or that you would need to explain. But, in case you feel you need a cover story, your house could be getting painted and the paint fumes are terrible. Or your wife (or huband) is being visited by a pack of college friends and you are staying at a hotel to give them a private visit while you enjoy some "alone" time. Or, if you are taking a husband/wife, it is a vacation from kids and day-to-day stress, even though you have to stay close.
Keep it simple. Keep your mouth shut unless specifically asked 'what brings you out here.' Then just say you wanted to get away. No need to justify yourself as the employees you're evaluating likely won't care anyways.
Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
I have stayed at our local Hyatt...actually my daughter was visiting and she thought it fun to stay there (since they're paying). No one asked, and we had a mini vacation..lots of fun. After thought...Why would they care?
Live consciously....
I used to worry a lot in my first hotel shops when they were in the same city (sometimes a few miles away). I've come to realize that 1) they very often never ask - 2) if they do, they don't seem to care that much ! 
Thanks all for the kind answers!
I will tell you that in my town you do need to have an answer as it's against the city ordinance for homeowners to rent out hotel rooms - yes I know it's weird but it's true. It's due to people using hotel rooms for nefarious activities (mainly making Meth). Now typically this isn't going to be a problem at a more expensive property YET the hotels here still cannot check in locals.
Liz
Liz
@cachoupe wrote:
Hi everyone,
I am thinking about taking one of the current much discussed 2-day hotel shops (audits). I have done quite a few restaurants for this MSC and would now like to try the hotel shops. I thought it would be a good start.
There is one in the city where I live, what kind of reason could I give to explain why I would be staying in a hotel? I seriously lack creativity on this one.
Thanks!
Cachou
I work for a hotel.
There is no reason to even have the need for a story. 1/4 to 1/3 of a hotel's guests every day are local for various reasons. Seriously.
SOmeone else said the hotel never asks. There's a reason. You're just like 25-33% of their daily guests every day.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2016 07:21PM by tcurione.
You want to be a tourist in your city!
I actually did that. It was fun!
ETA: I did it before I was a shopper. A friend and I walked around center city, hung out with actual tourists, and saw places we didn't normally see.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2016 09:27PM by HonnyBrown.
I actually did that. It was fun!
ETA: I did it before I was a shopper. A friend and I walked around center city, hung out with actual tourists, and saw places we didn't normally see.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2016 09:27PM by HonnyBrown.
Having your house fumigated for termites is a very sound reason to be at the hotel for 2 days. Just make sure to take along your clothing. My very first hotel shop was done close to home for the same reason of trying one out. It was so close in fact that I arrived at the hotel after a short drive with my laptop, my notes on what to look for and all my paraphernalia for a local mystery shop but since it did not feel to me like an overnight trip I left home without my luggage. . I could have slept and put my same clothing on the next day and purchased a toothbrush and paste but I was so close it was not an issue to drive back home and pick them up.
I actually did have to stay in a hotel when a possum died under my house.
95% of my hotel shops are in the city where I live. I live in a tourist city, and I always say I am taking a couple days off for a 'staycation.' I've never had any problems.
There is so much to do in L.A., I was in the city yesterday and now want to take a day or two and explore...new things always happening. Tourist's (Japanese snapping pic's), on the street, as the
window dressings are amazing, in restaurants, etc. I found myself taking taking pic's, and I've lived here forever. Close to the Hollywood Bowl, so I wouldn't have to drive home alone. I look at it as a working vacation.
window dressings are amazing, in restaurants, etc. I found myself taking taking pic's, and I've lived here forever. Close to the Hollywood Bowl, so I wouldn't have to drive home alone. I look at it as a working vacation.
Live consciously....
You should not need to give a reason. Think about the reasons why someone local is checking in to a hotel and you will understand that hotel clerks do not care to know. They may be required to ask the reason for your travel and you can just say personal or business. Having an elaborate story makes you memorable.
I run an Airbnb and I have a lot of guests who have local ID but don't live here anymore. They are visiting relatives but cannot stay with them for whatever reason. If the person presses for details you can say "I'm visiting my mom but am allergic to her cat."
I run an Airbnb and I have a lot of guests who have local ID but don't live here anymore. They are visiting relatives but cannot stay with them for whatever reason. If the person presses for details you can say "I'm visiting my mom but am allergic to her cat."
Shopping since 2009
MSPA Gold
MSPA Gold
I have to have some work done on the house. The end. If they press, fumigation, painting, plumb work, major electrical, etc. Or "just moved here and haven't gotten power and internet set up yet". Lots of folks gave lots of good answers, though.
MegglesKat
When I first met my wife, we stayed multiple times in hotels not terribly far from home. We both still lived with our parents and suffered from a serious lack of privacy. I'm certain I don't need to give further details.
You could also be attending a wedding in the area and don't want to drive home. I've done that too.
You could also be attending a wedding in the area and don't want to drive home. I've done that too.
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