I try to find the elevators on my own and appreciate when the provider gives directions to them if they are hidden.  

So I was shocked to recently have a provider tell me she was being "semi-bothered" by Hotel personelle knocking on her door several times a day - not just the maid.  She said she was afraid too many clients had stopped at the front desk asking for directions to her room and they were now tipped off and bothering her with dumb excuses all day - subtlely trying to get her to leave - I'd surmise.

I told her to switch Hotels immediately and use the DO NOT DISTURB like many providers do - they know that clients won't be scared off by it.

But I was shocked that others don't act like they are already checked in etc. so as not to draw nosy workers attention to the providers frequent visitors.  Are there that many clueless guys asking how to get to room 213 all day long?

I'll nod to the front desk person if they look me in the eye going in or out but I'd never ask where the elevators are or give them any other tipoff - though I did once realize my fly was down only after I got to the parking lot!  LOL

I'm sure many front desk clerks know what's up, but no reason to unduly risk trouble for the provider by being indescreet!!!

Some local providers have told me they tip the Hotel owner and clerk to keep them from any  hastles.  I wonder how common that is?

1-Be well dressed-not only for the provider but for the hotel staff
2-Do not ask questions
3-You are visiting a guest if asked
4-knock softly-go in silently
5-Smile
6-Go in to hotel as if you know where you are going--do not look lost.

When you make the 2nd call, for the room number, also ask where the elevators are, so you can walk straight to them, without arousing any suspicions.

Cheers,

Act like you belong and act like you have been there before!!!!

And cover your face with a newspaper.

I prefer larger hotels in the city as the lobby's are busy and the staff have other things on their minds besides noticing how many guys head down the hall to room 213. No matter where the venue is you can bet that the hotel staff probably know what's going on. Do they care? In most cases the answer is no. Hotels make money on rented rooms-not empty rooms. The only time it becomes an issue is when either the lady or her clients start to draw attention to themselves. To put it bluntly, don't be an idiot. Walk with a purpose even if you've never been in the place before. Most hotels have elevators right off the lobby and anyone of reasonable intelligence should have figured out by now that rooms that start with a one are on the first floor, a two, the second floor, etc, etc...
In any case, if you really are lost, call the agency or the provider. Do Not go to the desk and ask for directions and, PLEASE, if you forget the room number DO NOT ask for her by name at the desk. Do I really have to tell you guys that that "Connie Climax" is not registered under that name????

Besides all the useful pointers already here, if I can, I will look at the hotel's website.  Usually a picture of the lobby is there, and sometmes you can see where the elevators are.  The pictures help to familiarize yourself with the place, and to act like you know you belong there, and where you are going.

It also helps if you've seen a girl there before...

for heaven's sake, don't come to the front desk without an overnight bag, at least.

Nothing screams out "hooker affair" louder than showing up with no bag.

In some motels, that is a clue to the clerk to set you up in the room with the camera behind the one way mirror across from the bed.  Before you know it, you'll be an unpaid internet porn star.

Get there early and stop in the coffe shop for a snack or go to the gift shop and buy something.  That gives you a chance to look around. If you don't know where the elevators are, ask the waitress or the cashier in the gift shop. Don't go in empty handed. Have a small portfolio or brief case with you.  Last but not least,ONLY A COMPLETE IDIOT WOULD STOP AT THE FRONT DESK AND ASK FOR INFORMATION.

It comes down to one thing: blend in.

The first time I saw a provider at a hotel, I just knew to do all the above that you listed. It's not hard to figure out.  You should change number 2 as follows:

2. Call the provider with questions, DO NOT ASK HOTEL STAFF.

Asking where the elevators are, or where the room is?  Come on!

Also, call the provider when you are at the lobby or just outside the hotel entrance - from a cell phone [I shouldn't have to specify that but then we wouldn't have this post if common sense were more common].  Even though she's expecting you at a certain time, it still lets her know how close you are so you don't have to wait outside her door too long.

-- Modified on 5/6/2007 7:59:17 AM

I always get there early and check out the hotel lobby and then I leave and return at appointment time.  I always have a briefcase or computer bag.  if there is security at the elevators, I try to go when others are going into the elevator bank.  Sometimes I put my cell phone to my ear and try to appear busy.

Looks like I'm there on business and if it's a new girl letting her look at it is a good ice breaker. And, it's better then sticking the envelope in my back pocket.

of course I always have an overnight bag.  But what if my address ((biz address) is five blocks from the hotel?  My answer - it's none of the hotel's gd business.  When I was younger and pulled all nighters regularly at work, it wasn't unusual to get a hotel room nearby to take a shower, etc.

Hotels.com has video tours of many hotel lobbies, so you can see the layout before you arrive.

In-call or outcall, I like the door cracked and the ASP or I walk in like they own the place - no knocking.

Also, I'll use a side door and the stairs to avoid the lobby altogether if available.

And when you leave...leave quietly as well....it's not a good idea to be saying, "I had a great time with you", as your leaving the room.

I think a hidden camara in the room would be illegal in most states.  People have a right to expect privacy in a hotel room.  Its unlikely a hotel would rent a room with a hidden camera.  Doing so could open them up to a lawsuit, and a major public embarrassment.

Guys, I saw someone suggest calling from the lobby when you get there.

Please, never do that unless the provider asks.  Call from your CAR when you park.  Calling in the lobby can be overheard and draws attention, unless it's a big, busy business hotel.

Also ASK the provider for specific directions into the elevators and which way to turn when you get off.

More hotels are installing floor cameras, while they don't really pay attention to which room someone goes into, someone walking around lost, will draw attention.  (Is he lost or a burglar?)

Have fun, play safe and don't get lost!
TS Jamie

-- Modified on 5/6/2007 5:01:28 PM

Sorry, I should have qualified it.  My providers who use hotels usually stay in 4 to 5-star hotels where conversations get easily drowned out.

I also suggested calling from outside the hotel.  I live in NYC, where driving is not the primary means of transportation.

What do you say if the boss sees you walking out of the place?

I used to see favorites in my home town, but after my wife (now ex) saw my car parked out front, she decided to stop up and say hello.

Now I travel at least 20 miles out of town all the time, usually farther in fact.  

I have no desire for friends or family or work mates to enquire what I was doing at the Doubletree last Saturday.

Since when has that stopped anyone?  Besides, do you want to be a court suing Mr. Patel of the local Motel 6 who put you on the web?  I think not, and he knows it.

There was a newspaper story I read a few years ago that spoke of a motel in the south that had cameras set up in it behind one-way mirrors that had a service chase behind them.  So guests heard the motel personel in the chase and got suspicious, and their suspicions were confirmed.

I used to opt for the $59 Budget motels, but now I have set my sights a few rungs higher on the food chain to Courtyards and similar.

I should have gotten suspicious when they offered the room with the jacuzzi for no extra cost.

Good lord guys!  It's just a hotel!  Walk in, look as if you know what you're doing, head for the elevators, and go for it!  What's so hard about that?  So you call on your cell from the lobby ... you really think people are sitting around waiting to listen in ?  The more paranoid you get the more you'll attract attention by your behavior.

In 30 plus years of business travel, I've never once had the staff stop me or ask any questions as I re-entered the hotel after being out, and the same holds for incall visits;  If your dressed to fit the hotel (i.e. quality hotel in big city - wear a suit - (as I usually do for business anyway - no one will every stop you;

If you don't see the elevator immediately, just walk like you know what your doing and go to the rest room, taking time to orient yourself, then aftergoing in for a few minutes (and hopefuly you found the elevators while observing, leave and go straight there.  If there happen to be others on the elevator going to you floor, (which I judge by buttons pushed beofre or after me, and I'm always the last one to push), I just push another floor that noone else is going to, then go to that floor, get out, walk down the hall, turn around and try again;

If you end up with others getting off on your destination floor, when I get off, I stop, take a minute to check my cell messages (really allowing them to get to their rooms and clear the hall); I always try to time my knock with a clear hall;

As others have observed, noone else really gives a hoot about you, as long as you don't do something to draw attention, you'll go unnoticed...think about it, how many other unknown hotel guest that you've walked past do you rememember?

I can't believe so many of you guys have no brains when it comes to walking into a hotel lobby and quickly eyeballing where the elevators are.

If you're worried about leaving the same way then exit a side door, most lock once they are closed so remember which side you parked on.

Also most hotel floor lobbies have signs saying which way rooms are so open your eyes and brains then turn left or right depending on room walk with a purpose.

Remember the Provider already knows your on your way up so a light tap tap is all that is needed.

I love those that are right at the door, you tap, they open, you walk in and door closes then the dfking starts right there, ahhhh what a good Provider that gal is.

I had a odd experience with a morning session. As I was leaving, the provider looked out the peephole,saw the maid, and sent me out anyway (must have been anxious for me to go I guess).
As I walked past her, the maid asked me if we needed anything, I said no, so I hope that the next guy didn't need any towels.LOL
seriouly tho' I think that was a mistake on the provider's part,she should have made me wait, cuz if she doesn't already know when she seessome other guy in or out the maid's goona know for sure. Is that a problem, or does it just mean that housekeeping gets an extra large tip?

This applies to providers and hobbyists alike:

Never stay at the same hotel consecutively.
and when you come to visit walk in like you
have a room key. Walk with confidence and
scope out the area for the elevator.

If someone stops you say you are here to visit
a guest or friend. Call the person on the phone
at the same time they are (It creates a sense of
intimacy). Call the person on the way up or
and let them know to expect you. A provider
is right, it's risky business to draw attention
to yourself and the friendly visits can be
misconstrued for illegal activity.

This applies to providers and hobbyists alike:

Never stay at the same hotel consecutively.
and when you come to visit walk in like you
have a room key. Walk with confidence and
scope out the area for the elevator.

If someone stops you say you are here to visit
a guest or friend. Call the person on the phone
at the same time they are (It creates a sense of
intimacy). Call the person on the way up or
and let them know to expect you. A provider
is right, it's risky business to draw attention
to yourself and the friendly visits can be
misconstrued for illegal activity.