Hell Motel: 8 Months at an Economy Hotel

by Mike Lee

HELL MOTEL exposes the seedy underbelly of the economy line hotel industry and weaves both humorous and horrific true-life tales of the people that sleep, work and claw to survive at roach motels. Mike is a privileged, immature and spoiled asshole who relocates to the big city in an attempt to outrun his personal demons. After accepting a management position at a cheap dive motel, Mike is overwhelmed by the prostitutes, drug addicts and desperados that infest the property... HELL MOTEL is more than just a collection of stories, it's a redemptive tale about becoming a champion for employees and finding faith in humanity, even when you are surrounded by the absolute worst of humanity. Prepare to never look at hotels the same way, ever again.

407 pages, Paperback

Published December 11, 2020

About the author

Mike Lee is an author, scriptwriter and game designer whose most recent credits include Fallen Angels, the latest installment in Black Library Publishing’s best-selling Horus Heresy series, and the dark fantasy epic Nagash the Sorcerer. Along with UK author Dan Abnett, Mike also wrote the five-volume Chronicles of Malus Darkblade, whose signature character has become a cult favorite among fans of Black Library’s Warhammer Fantasy fiction.

In addition to his novels, Mike’s scriptwriting credits include Tom Clancy’s HAWX, a game of near-future jet combat, and Splinter Cell: Conviction, the hit sequel to the popular Splinter Cell franchise published by Ubisoft Entertainment. He has also contributed to more than two dozen pen-and-paper role-playing games and supplements, including the award-winning Vampire: The Masquerade, Adventure!, Vampire: Dark Ages and Hunter: The Reckoning, published by White Wolf Games Studio.

An avid wargamer, history buff and devoted fan of two-fisted pulp adventure, Mike lives with his wife, artist JK Lee, and their family in the United States.

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a duality of errors; Grammatically as well as otherwise. Mike Lee writes as though he was a high schooler trying to cheat his way to producing the required page count for his final essay. To say that over-spacing was an obviously flawed practice would be kind. In addition, I felt that Lee failed in proof reading his final story even one time; there were numerous points which confuse the reader due to failed grammar usage or misuse of italics. To say that a high schooler could have done better is actually the honest truth here; there was no effort in editing this.

Where the errors of the grammatical sort end, there is a story of errors in life choices. This is a rather gripping memoir of immense tragedy and pain. Think "A Gentleman in Moscow" only everyone is a drug addicted freak. The moments of crushing defeat were rather common and unexpected all at the same time. The grammar never stole from the immersion offered by the very depressing and stark lives which Mike Lee curated for this macacbre view of The American Dream. As poorly written as this is, I can't deny that it registered with me; I can't deny that I have a new prospective on addiction and how the victim is also acutely aware of their tragic spiral.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but if you can ignore the grammar, this would be a great value to read. If only because it will make you grateful for your place in the world.

[Katherine Pietras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the read for any Customer Service Employees

This book definitely puts in perspective what we in the hospitality industry deal with regularly, including in upscale hotels. It's not just the bottom of the barrel that deal with greedy corporations and/or horrible guests. I'd love for all hotel travelers to read this and find themselves in here somewhere. Even just a small piece. We deal with a lot. And most of the time with a smile on our face, and an eagerness to help where we can. Even when we're being yelled at, cussed at, even physically threatened. I would recommend owners and upper management to read also, but they wouldn't take anything useful awsy from it. They will always only see the bottom line. And that does not include "taking care of" the employees that keep the money rolling in. I laughed, I cried. A very easy and quick read. 100% recommend

[Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a solid meh. Eventually it gets pretty repetitive and I would like a counter on how many times he says “announced myself as hotel management”. It also really interested/frustrated me how many times his “mistakes” were just him assuming things would be easy. But honestly, what white man in his 30’s wouldn’t think life is easy? He spends chapters talking about how he won’t be at the motel for long, but doesn’t even start talking about job applications until he’s been there for 7 months. And then is shocked that it took him so long to find something. Like DUH MIKE. I feel like I said DUH MIKE a lot while reading this.

[Lor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book should have been titled, “I Got Called Into Work On My Day Off”. I had high hopes for this book after reading the wildly entertaining “Heads in Beds” by another author. But Hell Motel was repetitive and flat. It took me over a month to finish this book. ‘Nuff said!

[Meredith Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

God bless us hospitality workers. I haven’t worked an economy brand, thank goodness, so my stories aren’t quite as shocking, but for the industry that never closes/sleeps, the author provides a real glimpse into this life.