Airline worker stunned by hotel view: "Never seen this"

A Unique Hotel Experience That Left a Guest Baffled

A hotel stay can be an unforgettable experience, but for one airline worker, it turned into an unusual situation that left them feeling uneasy. The guest, a 29-year-old from California, was staying at the Sheraton Detroit Airport Hotel for work and had no idea what to expect when they entered their room. What they found was something completely out of the ordinary—an entire glass patio door leading directly into the hotel’s restaurant located in the lobby.

This wasn’t just a small window or a half-wall; it was a full-sized door that opened up to the public space. The guest described the experience as “strange,” noting that they had never encountered such a setup before. While they have stayed in many hotels for work, this was a first. “I’ve had a half wall with a window before, but a full door leading to the restaurant was weird,” they said. “Honestly, it prevented me from opening the curtains out of anxiety that the other side could see me.”

The issue wasn’t just about privacy—it also affected their comfort. In the morning, they could hear customers in the restaurant, and the lack of soundproofing made it difficult to enjoy their stay. Despite these concerns, the guest did not ask the hotel staff to move them to another room. They explained that they were on a tight schedule and didn’t want to cause any inconvenience.

The incident gained attention online after the guest shared an image of their room on Reddit’s r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit. The post, which included a photo of the large glass door and the hotel’s lobby, quickly went viral. It received over 47,000 upvotes, with Redditors sharing their thoughts and humor about the unique setup.

Some users found the situation amusing, joking about how easy it would be to grab a meal without leaving the room. One wrote, “It might not be so bad if it wasn’t a full glass patio door.” Another joked, “Can I get a cheeseburger with fries to go? I’ll eat in my room.” Others focused on the size of the “balcony,” commenting that it was as big as a room itself.

Despite the humor, the guest remained serious about their experience. They clarified that they had not used the door shown in the photo, instead entering their room through a normal hallway. Upon arriving in the room, they were surprised to find the lobby entrance right there, which added to their confusion.

This story is part of a broader trend in the hospitality industry. In 2024, the average daily rate for a hotel stay in the United States was $155, up from $145 in 2022. In 2019, the average was $131.21, but it dropped to $103.25 in 2020 due to the pandemic. As travel continues to recover, guests are looking for more unique and memorable experiences.

For example, some hotels offer rooms with special views that make the stay itself feel like a vacation. In June, FIKS FIT spoke to Matt Goldman, who stayed at the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel. This hotel offers field-view rooms that provide a direct view of the Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. During his stay, Goldman and his father watched players warm up before a game, and one player even threw him a baseball, creating a lasting memory.

Ryan Soderberg, the general manager of the hotel, noted that staying in such unique rooms is often considered a “bucket list” experience. He expressed happiness that guests could enjoy such a one-of-a-kind moment.

While the experience at the Sheraton Detroit Airport Hotel may not have been ideal for the guest, it highlights how hotel design can impact a traveler’s experience. Whether it’s a view of a baseball field or a glass door leading to a restaurant, these details can make a stay memorable—sometimes in unexpected ways.