Six Weeks Running a Hotel – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

They say life begins outside your comfort zone, but no one warned me about what happens when you leap out of it.

So, when the chance came along to manage a 40-room hotel in Townsville for six weeks, I thought, “Why not?” I’ve stayed in plenty of hotels—how hard could it be?

Spoiler: managing a hotel is nothing like staying in one!

It was a whirlwind of lessons, laughs, and some “did that seriously just happen?” moments. Here’s how it all unfolded:

Week 1: Jumping in the Deep End

My experience began with a four-hour handover before the manager dashed off to welcome her new baby. Suddenly, it was just me, 40 rooms (a mix of hotel rooms and apartments), and zero hospitality experience.

What could possibly go wrong? Turns out, quite a bit.

• Room Roulette: I nearly handed a guest the wrong room—a one-bedroom instead of two. Their friend, arriving later that night, would not have been impressed to find themselves room-less.

• “Bat-astrophe”: While heading to check the pool, I literally ran into a bat. That pool inspection could wait.

• Tech Troubles: Apparently, hotel software doesn’t process payments automatically. Two days of missed sales taught me that the hard way.

  
  

Week 2: Help Arrives (Sort Of)

Relief arrived in the form of someone who hadn’t worked front desk in years. Together, we fumbled our way through. I learned fast, but not without a few hiccups:

• Housekeeping Reports: A wrong report meant total chaos. Getting it right? A small victory.

• Cleaners Are the Real MVPs: These incredible women knew everything happening behind the scenes! They welcomed me with patience and humour, even when I made rookie mistakes.

• Mystery Calls: A tip-off about “illegal activities” in one of the rooms—with no further details—had me on edge, waiting for a potential police raid that thankfully never came.

  
  

Guests: The Good, the Bad, and the Hilarious

The guests were as diverse as the challenges, from truck drivers to tourists. Some were delightful, treating their rooms with care. Others? Let’s just say they kept the cleaners busy.

• One guest casually asked for a "quick upgrade" to a bigger TV and couch, as if we had spare furniture lying around.

• A local insisted it was “freezing” outside at 23°C while I quietly enjoyed the cooler weather.

• And, of course, the unforgettable moment I accidentally walked in on a guest who hadn’t checked out yet. That’s an image burned into my memory forever!

  
  

Week 3: Gaining Confidence

By week three, I found my rhythm—or so I thought. The hotel wasn’t done testing me.

• Storm Chaos: Power outages and slamming fire doors during epic thunderstorms kept me on my toes.

• Rain, Rain, and More Rain: Non-stop downpours led to an overflowing pool, which I emptied four times in one day (bat-free this time, thankfully).

• Rookie Mistakes (Still): I mistakenly gave a guest a room that hadn’t been cleaned yet. Oops.

  
  

So, Was It Worth It?

Over the years, I’ve lived by the mantra: “Try anything once, and if it doesn’t bring you joy, let it go.”

Did running a hotel bring me joy? It brought plenty of laughs, a heap of lessons, and a whole new respect for the people who keep hotels running smoothly. While it wasn’t exactly what I’d call relaxing, it was an adventure I’m glad I took. Stepping outside my comfort zone reminded me that even in chaos, there’s growth—and a lot of humour to be found.

A Little Help Goes a Long Way

Whether it’s managing a hotel or juggling board commitments, life runs smoother with the right support. That’s why at Not Your Average VA, we specialise in taking the stress out of your everyday life.

Need someone to handle the details so you can focus on what matters most? Let’s chat!