'She said they went down [to the pool] an hour ago, but couldn't get in': Entitled mom and kids demand to swim for literally mere seconds, just before pool closes

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Jan 13, 2023 11:00 AM EST

Going swimming at hotel pools is one of the best parts of vacation — and if you're a kid, it might even be the best part! Unfortunately, one mom and her kids found out the hard way that you can't just use all parts of the hotel any time you please. Pools usually aren't open 24/7 at most places. And as the OP shared in this post to r/TalesFromtheFrontDesk, at their hotel, people can only use the pool for an hour at a time, and it closes at 10 P.M. sharp, so that the OP can complete the rest of their front desk duties. I'm sure there are all kinds of Karens at hotels tormenting the workers, but this Karen had a pretty silly request that the hotel just couldn't comply with. 

Check out the story below, and in the comments, people shared some funny tales of other rule-bending managers and crazy hotel guests. Then you can metaphorically hop behind the counter of your favorite chain coffee shop for a peek into the lives of baristas (psst — they really hate making 'secret menu' drinks). 

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  • 01
    Font - 'Point is, if you want to use the pool when it is near closing time, I don't mind keeping it open a little longer, so long as you are reasonable and pleasant. Not this person, however.'
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  • 02
    Font - Er/Tales From The Front Desk Posted by u/Jdawger_ 1 day ago The Two Minute Swim Medium Like a good number of hotels these days, my hotel has a pool. It is on the smaller side and requires a separate key to enter (which you can "check out" at the desk for 1hr time slots (lots of reasons why we do this)). And like most hotels, it closes at 10pm. Since my afternoon shifts go until 11pm, if someone wants to use the pool sometime between 9pm and 10pm, I am reasonable and can close it down late
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  • 03
    Font - This past week, during one of my shifts, it was nearing 10pm, so I was getting ready to close down the pool and fitness center. It wasn't exactly 10pm, but it was no earlier than 9:55pm when I started going towards the pool to close it down. Nobody was in it nor did anybody use it that day. I entered with my master key, checked for dirty towels, and went towards the pool maintenance closet to turn the light off. Took about 2-3 minutes to do all that. As I shut the door (which might I add
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    Font - Side bar for a second: one of the many reason we close at 10pm is because the Front Desk needs to mop the entire pool floor at 10pm. That in itself can take about 15 minutes average; even longer depending on how much water splashes all over the place. We also disinfect all the chairs, tables, etc. because we live in a post-Covid world, so we have to take that stuff more seriously. Add on the five or so tasks and a money drop/drawer count & the any check-ins that haven't arrived and you ca
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    Cheezburger Image 9725950464
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    Font - literaryguru +4. 1 day ago This reminds me of a night where I had quite a number of seniors checking in. Just coincidence. They didn't know each other. I was working 3-11pm and was being relieved by NA at 11pm. We all live on site. I had a number of the senior guests ask me what time the pool closed. Now, our pool doesn't technically "close". It's heated and outdoor and your keycard gets you in the gate. Thinking it would be a harmless and hospitable joke, I told a few of them, "If you're
    via r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk
  • 07
    Font - These are all 65+ folks, some 70+ even. I figured, how much trouble could they cause in the pool after 10pm, our stated closing time for the pool? Well, I grossly underestimated how much fun 65+ yr olds can have. When the NA guy walked in the office at 11pm, this is how it went: NA: "Have you seen the pool????" Me: "No, why?" NA: "It's packed full of seniors partying like they were at spring break!" Me: "You're kidding." NA: "No I'm not. You have to go tell them the pool closes at 10pm. T
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  • 08
    Font - I will never underestimate the ability of 70 year old's to party ever again.
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    Font - StrugglinSurvivor 10 hr. ago . I (NA) had several women jump the fence 2 nights in a row. Both nights, extremely loud. Hote was full, it has over 110 rooms.so I was getting lots a calls complaining about noise. 1st night, I was the only staff on the property. So I didn't have any choice but to call local police for assistance. 2nd night, the local police were making the rounds, checking out the pool. Long story short, about 5 women got other accommodations for that night. Will say it help
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    Font - thanx_it_has_pockets +2 1 day ago Our pool closes at 11pm. We tell guests when they check in, and the sign is on the door as well. We go and lock it so even if a guest 'forgot' the hours, they still can't get in. My problem is that one of my managers bends the rules if she is working front desk. Mgr to me: 'I went down to lock the pool but the people there were nice so I told them that they can have more time. I told them they can stay until 11:30pm.' And then another time, a family check
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    Font - literaryguru +4. 1 day ago Who goes swimming with their kids at 10pm anyway? If people only realized that being nice got them many of things they don't get because they're being nasty, the world would be a better place.
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    Font - JU LittleSad Rufus +3. 1 day ago Time difference can be a thing. In California I was taking my 4yo to diners at midnight, because to her it was 8am and already late for breakfast. 30 Reply Share Continue this thread → Lephiro +1 1 day ago . edited 21 hr. ago Seriously, I see people keeping kids of all ages out at all times and I just remember when I was a kid, we had like 8:30 or 9 o clock bed times. I just get baffled sometimes when I see 'em out with like toddlers at 11 and later. Edit:
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  • 13
    Font - TheDocJ +3. 1 day ago Went swimming with the kids at 3am at one of the Mouse hotels in Florida - but we had just arrived from the UK so our body clocks were all over the place and the kids were far too excited to sleep. We were very grateful to have a pool to take them to. Reply Share 16 Continue this thread → Tesatire 1 day ago On vacation my family would be in the pool at all hours when allowed. I remember having hotel staff come by and let us know that the pool was closed but as long a
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    Font - +2 22 hr. ago Haha... love your bosses! Dani MW Putting her on the DNR as 'can't accomodate' means that they don't want to put up with her annoying Karen whinging, either!
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    Font - Lucky_Forever +2 23 hr. ago Yep. I had some long term guests come down at 9:45 the other night. Now granted, I had already closed the pool a little early since no one had used it in hours. But when the guy asked I was like, you really want me to re-open the pool just for a few minutes? It would've taken at least 5 minutes before they'd be in the pool. Fortunately they didn't put up a fuss, but considering they literally live here for the time being, you'd think they'd know the rules.
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  • 16
    Font - justmedownsouth 1 day ago Just curious.if she had not made up cra about being there earlier, but she had been nice, and said okay. Then, with a smile "The kids have been waiting for this all day, but I got tied up, and couldn't get here earlier. I'm so sorry. Is there any way you could let us have 10 minutes in the pool? We will be in and out, and I'll make sure everything is straightened up!" Would you have let them swim? If people treat front line workers as equals, and are reasonable h
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  • 17
    Font - FuzzelFox . 4 hr. ago Saw someone do something like this with breakfast once. This person sat in our lobby for hours reading a book, never once going near the buffet. It had quieted down about a half hour before breakfast closes and at about 9:55am the breakfast lady decided to close up since no one had grabbed food in 30 minutes. Sure enough, as soon as she closes the doors to the buffet, this woman slams her book shut and power walks over to the doors. Pushes them open, and YELLS at my
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  • 18
    Human body - spacewalk 1 day ago why can't the pool just be 24 hours and people have to sign a thing saying not to sue
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    Font - mesembryanthemum +3. 1 day ago Because a lot of hotels have rooms by the pool, which means lots of late night noise complaints. Why can't guests understand the world does not revolve around them? 24 Reply Share ryeshoes 21 hr. ago Cuz they paid 200$ a night which like makes them royalty or something /s
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  • 20
    Font - ItsSwicky +4. 1 day ago Part of the reason is that the chemicals need some downtime to adjust. There are times when I have to put in a "shock" which helps clean the water and prevents it from getting cloudy. The biggest thing with the shock is it can burn the skin and works better if there is no aeration (ie movement of the water). Chlorine is usually constantly monitored and hooked up to a system that continuously adds it. While chlorine kills all the bad things that end up in the pool,
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