The Secret Life of Hotels

Did you know hotel housekeepers spray minibar glasses with Pledge? Or they karate-chop pillows to get them in their cases easily?

These are some of the tidbits from Jacob Tomsky, who started work as a New Orleans valet before working the desk at a New York hotel. Not only does he spill some of the hotel world's secrets — the price mark-up on rooms is as insane as you imagined, hotels typically book at 110% occupancy, etc. — but also offers some advice.

"Want to make sure that the [front desk] agent doesn’t nod, say 'certainly,' and not do a damn thing [when you ask for an upgrade]?" Tomsky writes. "Get his or her name."

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