Heads in Beds

A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality

By: Jacob Tomsky

Narrated by: Jacob Tomsky

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

In the tradition of Kitchen Confidential and Waiter Rant, a rollicking, eye-opening, fantastically indiscreet memoir of a life spent (and misspent) in the hotel industry.

Jacob Tomsky has worked in hotels for more than a decade, doing everything from valet parking to manning the front desk. He's checked you in, checked you out, separated your white panties from the white bed sheets, parked your car, tasted your room service, cleaned your toilet, denied you a late check out, given you a wake-up call, eaten M&Ms out of your mini-bar, laughed at your jokes, and taken your money. And in Heads in Beds, he pulls back the curtain on the hospitality business, revealing the crazy yet compelling reality of an industry we think we know. It is an incredibly funny, authentic, and irreverent chronicle of the highs and lows of hotel life and boy, is there a market for it: in 2010, the American lodging industry generated $127.7 billion in revenue. Prepare to be amused, shocked, and amazed as he spills the unwritten code of the bellhops, the antics that go on the valet parking garage, and the housekeeping department's dirty little secrets.

Prepare to be moved, too, by his insightful honesty about the profession; employees are often poorly paid and frequently abused. However, Heads in Beds is more than just a memoir. Jake explains the secrets of the industry, offering easy and legal ways to get what you need from your hotel without any hassle - from scoring late check-ins and upgrades to getting that pay-per-view charge knocked off your bill. This book will give you the knowledge you need to get the very best service from any hotel or property, from any business that makes its money from putting heads in beds. Or, at the very least, it will keep the bellhops from taking your luggage into the camera-free back office and stomping the crap out of it.

©2012 Jacob Tomsky (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Jacob Tomsky is a star. The kid writes like a dream. Heads in Beds is hilarious, literate, canny, indignant and kind - revealing an author who manages somehow to be both a total hustler and a complete humanitarian. I love this book. Keep an eye on this writer. I'm telling you, he's a star." (Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia)

A Traveler's MUST READ

Would you listen to Heads in Beds again? Why?

Yes - it is funny and informative

What other book might you compare Heads in Beds to and why?

None - it's in a class by itself!

What does Jacob Tomsky bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His tone and his sarcasm which makes it even better.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

If you've ever stayed in a hotel, you MUST see this.

Any additional comments?

Great book. Not only is it funny and entertaining, it is informative and educational. A must read for travelers.

If you use hotels, a must listen!

Not only entertaining but informative. Great combo of stories, facts and tips to be a better, more kind and well-liked, hotel guest.
As a frequent hotel guest I did not know some of these tips or behind the scenes ideas. That has been personally helpful.
I was also not aware of some of the business practices of hotels and how different employees get paid. Eye opening for sure.

The narration was perfect for the book. Light hearted enough to listen anywhere and deep enough to keep attention and want to finish.
Would LOVE more books about the hotel industry- it seems so secretive and this helped me understand the back stories.

Very helpful for anyone staying in a hotel.

Loved the story. Narration by the author was excellent and helped the story to flow.
Language was a little rough, but that is the vernacular of his business. If you stay in a hotel with any regularity, you need to listen (read) this book.

Hilariously true

If you're in the hospitality field (hotels specifically) you will absolutely love this book. Definitely a must read/listen.

Incredible Travel Tips

Loved this account of the back side of the hotel business. Humorous and interesting with great tips on ways to treat and respect hotel staff. Lots of do’s and dont’s for a better hotel experience.

wonderfully entertaining

as a slave to the hospitality industry I was laughing along . I have told all I know to acquire this delightful humorous and just a bit too close to home book.

Very, Very Enjoyable

If you could sum up Heads in Beds in three words, what would they be?

Well told stories.

What did you like best about this story?

It's not a comedy, but there were spots where I laughed out loud. More than a few. That's rare.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were a lot of good scenes. I suppose the end scene was most memorable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not necessarily. It was by nature episodic, but a nice balace between vignettes and the overall story. Very enjoyable reading. (I am a professional nonfiction writer myself.)

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended. Definitely in my Top Five for 2013 as of August.

Very Good Book

This book was GREAT!!! I was never bored and I felt as if I was with him every step up the way.

WOW!

The book started off a little slow. But that did not last long....written very well. I like the fact it was narrated by the author. He brought real life to all the characters he played. As the book continued I felt like I was going on this journey with the author. I literally laughed out loud and was saddened at how the author's life was playing out. Perfectly narrated! I wish it didn't finish! Great book!

best book

I myself have been working in the hospitality industry for the last 8 years from front desk to property support manager and this book just nailed what all employees wish that they could either say to guest or what guest should really know. it made me laugh so much to know that I was not the only one thinking these things. I highly recommend it to all hotel employees and the guest who stay at hotels. i really hope he makes another book really soon. once a hotel whore, always a hotel whore. there really is no way out of this business!!!