Roadie Hotel Training 101

Roadie Grandma Hotel Tips 101

There are many responsibilities, for this Roadie Grandma looking after a demanding TT.

Is TT happy with this Hotel?

I have to be really on my toes during the load in, duration of stay and load out at hotels.

So this blog is dedicated to sharing tips for Roadies with regard to Hotel duties.

TT does nearly all the driving and is an absolute whizz and getting good lodging deals.

Roadie Grandma Tip # 1

Very often we get three star hotels for under $50/33 pounds sterling a night, through Hotwire or Priceline.com.

3 star hotels rarely serve complimentary breakfast.

Actually as I write this, we have just arrived in this super duper Hilton Garden Hotel in Redding CA.

TT got it for $45! It doesn’t serve a complimentary breakfast but has a wonderful posh restaurant with chefs in tall hats cooking whatever you request.

The Air Conditioning isn’t working.

We are hot as we were in snowy mountain climes yesterday and the temperature has soared as we have journeyed south and down hill. I had to take off my Hiking boots, warm socks and vest !

A lovely 82 yr old maintenance man has just come in. Pronounced the air conditioner dead.

He opened a window and got us a fan from the laundry. Then a nice surprise; a breakfast coupon “for 2 to enjoy a hot cooked-to-order”, for tomorrow morning.

He said, “I told them at the front desk that they need to take care of you.” He is lovely had travelled around the world with the USA navy and hopes to retire next year. Still works 4 days a week! What a great role model for this younger couple that is not quite 70.

We have had this made to order cooked breakfast before when other people have been paying and know it is yummy! I’m already thinking the fresh cooked omelet with onion, mushrooms, tomatoes and cheese!

If you do not have a broken A/C and a kind maintenance man,

RG Tip # 2

"Sparrow Records" rolling ice bag

Take a mobile rolling fridge with you.

We have a small one. On wheels which was given to TT by Sparrow Records when TT was part owner to a singing group Jump5. They even recorded a track for Disneys’ Beauty and The Beast here is the YouTube link

We were going to give the rolling ‘fridge,  away but decided to keep it just in case….and this tour has turned out to be a ‘just in case.’

Added to the rolling fridge is a food bag, given to us by bro-in-law Bill, Houston Oil man, who was given it at some International 2007 San Antonio Oil exploration conference.

This contains essential breakfast items. In the van it sits comfortably on the rolling ice bag.

The combination of fridge and food bag means we always have a very healthy and delicious breakfast Generally a combination of Raisin Brand, Porridge / Oatmeal (not cooked), All Bran, Ground Walnuts and Almonds (which TT grinds with his own nut grinder) Flaxseed and a good sprinkling of extra raisins – delicious!

RG tip # 3

RG's happy with her hotel room!

Now you may say, “Motel rooms are often a bit cramped for room, even in America, so how do you cope with storage with all these extra items?

The first thing I do is put up the ironing board and voila – immediate and extra storage space.

Back to breakfast….even though we are fully self sufficient, some establishments serve up a very creditable breakfast, even a cooked one.

So my first job in the morning (after+ I have had my essential cup of coffee and made TT a cup of tea,  is to RECCY THE BREKKY…. and see what’s on offer.

Then we make a decision as to whether to have the hotel breakfast, our own breakfast or a combination of both.

RG Tip # 4

Usually there are yoghurts on offer so we always take a few to snack with while on the road to the next hotel.  If there are hard boiled eggs and bread. I often squirrel this up to our room and make sarnies for lunch.

RG Tip # 5

Get an extension for our checkout time. It takes us so long to get checked out and usually hotels are very accommodating, (pardon the pun) in allowing you at least an extra hour. This means you can stay online and check your email, write a postcard or two or have a lazy bath etc.

RG Tip # 6

Bring an extension, multi point electric cord into the hotel. Helps with charging batteries, phones etc.

RG Tip # 7

While on the road to a hotel, I always call ahead to make sure the reservation is properly registered.   Once established the most important thing is to confirm the room is non-smoking.  We can’t have TT’s VVC’s (valuable vocal chords) being tainted, even attacked by stale smoke.   That would never do!

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