I've Got a Guy: Stories, Thoughts, and a Few Confessions from a Hospitality Rebel

by Michael Albanese

Hospitality is a strange kind of rebellion. You give everything—and somehow become yourself in the process.

In I’ve Got a Guy, Michael Albanese offers a hilarious, heartfelt, and sharply observant memoir about what it truly means to serve. From navigating post-9/11 hotel chaos to pulling off billionaire requests that defy logic, these stories and insights from the front lines of hospitality are as outrageous as they are deeply human. Drawn from decades at the heart of the experience economy—where humanity, absurd expectations, and quiet acts of grace collide—each chapter is a raw, revealing, and often unforgettable. But more than insights, they’re an invitation to rethink the value of service and hospitality. With wit, grit, and surprising tenderness, Albanese explores the tensions between performance and purpose, philosophy and execution, humility and leadership.

This isn’t just a book for hospitality insiders. It’s for anyone who’s ever stayed at a hotel, led a team, worked a thankless shift, or wondered if their work could mean something more.

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 14, 2025

About the author

Michael Albanese was born in New York City and raised in Marietta, GA.

He loves writing, coffee, basketball and all forms of art.

Michael lives in Atlanta with his wife Wynn, their two daughters and two cats.

Reviews

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who spent the first half of my career in the restaurant and wine world, I’ve Got a Guy spoke straight to my heart. I’ve long believed that everyone should be required to work in the service industry, and this book speaks to exactly why.

While I absolutely loved Albanese's sharp wit and hilarious stories (which genuinely had me laughing out loud throughout the book!), what resonated the most were his reflections on humanity, vulnerability, and the unglamorous courage it takes to keep showing up for others. In a time when automation and artificial intelligence threaten to replace real connection, Albanese makes a powerful case for the enduring value of relationships, service, and presence.

But this isn’t just a book about the hospitality industry. Even if you've never worked in customer service, there's so much to take away about leadership, humility, resilience, and the search for meaning in our work. Albanese doesn’t gloss over the messiness of building a career or the reality of entrepreneurship, and I appreciated how honest he was about the setbacks, doubts, and moments of uncertainty he experienced along the way.

At its core, this is a book about people. It’s about how we treat each other, what it means to serve with intention, and how small, everyday moments can leave a lasting impact. I picked it up expecting a fun and entertaining hospitality memoir, but I finished it feeling unexpectedly moved and inspired. Highly recommend.

[Blessing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found "I’ve Got a Guy " to be a thoughtful, quietly funny collection of stories about hospitality, work, and paying attention to people. It really stuck with me! Michael Albanese writes from decades of experience in restaurants, hotels, and high-end concierge work ( the hospitalityscenein general), yet the book never feels like a résumé. How fascinating is that? It reads more like someone telling you stories over a late meal, reflecting on what stuck and what mattered. I throughly and deeply enjoyed it!

Some chapters are genuinely funny, while others slow down and land with more weight. The perfect balance! If you’ve ever worked a service job, love good food and great hotels, or just want to be a better human who shows up for others, this book is definitely for you. I finished it with a better and deeper appreciation for the people behind the scenes and a reminder that the smallest gestures often carry the most weight. Micheal outdid himself!

[Wendi Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read! Michael Albanese brings some of the best and worst of people together in a hilarious way.

This is a memoir that will make you laugh and think about the really hard work people put in to bring you that “one of a kind” experience. The one that makes you smile when you think about it. Hotel work isn’t for the weak, but with a good outlook, it’s so rewarding.

The writing in this is great. You can feel like you’re there with him, but you’re also the one sitting there watching all this happen with a friend.

I recommend this to everyone.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful coaster ride!

Just read it and nourish in the prose. Michael is a great human as well as a splendid storyteller that brings life to life.

[Valerie Albanese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a joy to read! It spoke directly to the Hospitality side of my spirit and lived experience in a way that helped me feel both affirmed and understood. Having worked nearly every role imaginable in the restaurant world, I know firsthand how demanding, exhausting and often thankless the Hospitality industry can be. And yet, those of us who have lived it understand something sacred about it which is, as Michael writes, that “Hospitality is not what I do, it’s who I am.” I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons!

[peppkorn_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read and a Goodreads Giveaway win for me. It’s a memoir from inside the service industry, full of confessions, humor, and behind the scenes stories. The author definitely has a talent for storytelling, and the book gives some wild glimpses into the lives of billionaires and the ridiculous things rich people spend their money on.

I also enjoyed learning more about what hospitality is really about. The author shares industry lingo, debunks some myths, and offers wisdom from his own experiences and others in the field. Overall, it’s a funny and insightful look at life in hospitality.

[Matty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 - As someone in the industry, I love books like these. I wish the stories went more in depth and weren't just small highlights.

[Schuyler Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this down & ended up finishing it within a day. Great book by a great guy who knows what it’s like to be a service worker and the trials that come with it. :)