5 Great Hotel Movies 

As I reviewed my Netflix queue the other day, I realized that I have a serious movie habit. Then I noticed a pattern: I really like to watch movies about hotels. (After eight years in the hotel business, have I not had my fill? Obviously not. I have to interject it into my leisure life, as well.) Many of these movies are really great films that I would recommend to anyone, not just fellow hotel employees. What are my criteria for the nominees for Best Hotel Movies Ever? They must have a great story or be very entertaining, and they must feature a hotel or hotel employees. And the winners are:

"Hotel Rwanda." This isn't merely one of the best hotel movies ever — it's one of the best movies ever, period. "Hotel Rwanda" is the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, the temporary manager of the Hôtel des Mille Collines, in Kigali, Rwanda. During the Rwandan genocide in 1994, Rusesabagina used his hotel to shelter thousands of people and used his connections to save their lives. Ever the ultimate host, he personally saw to the survival of his guests, whether it was using the pool as a drinking water supply or bribing officials with his stock of alcohol. I don't know many people who haven't completely broken down and sobbed while watching this movie. It is not for the faint of heart. But there's a reason "Hotel Rwanda" was nominated for three Oscars and won numerous other awards. And there's a reason Paul Rusesabagina is one of the world's greatest heroes. Do not miss out on the chance to see his gripping, devastating and moving story. Rusesabagina can teach everyone a thing or two about true hospitality.

Night Audit:

Where you train for one position, but learn them all.

I work as a night auditor. I have for the past 2 years almost. I am on my third hotel. I started at a ratty dingy motel, changed to a Choice property, and am currently working at a 4-diamond, high-end, expensive hotel. I love my job. I love working midnights, I love the quietness. However (and all you other auditors know what I'm talking about) night auditing has to be one of — if not the — most frustrating position in hospitality. Sure, we are not around during the day, when a lot of things happen. However, we are responsible for finding and fixing any and all mistakes. I've spent the most of my time with Choice hotels. I was trained on night audit only. I was never trained for AM or PM shifts. By the time I ended my employment there (17 months), I had the ability to work night audit, AM Shift at the desk, PM shift at the desk, cover shift at the desk, liquor-store sales clerk, accounting, sales and catering, server (in any of the lounge, restaurant, banquets, and nightclub), assist management, as well as tech support. Since we close everything off at night and see what goes on, by osmosis, we learn what the different jobs are, and the tasks of each job.