"I haven't faced furries. I've cheated furries. I've tricked my way out of furries and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing."

Did you find any remains of redshirts on the grounds?

Come to think of it, there were some odd scraps of cloth in the bushes...

I thought Norma and Sylvia would've aped that for the tactical gear they're making to protect your house from squab infidels. XD

The training center of one of my former employers has been a rest home and before that, an insane asylum.

Trust me, I don't like being anywhere near that place after dusk...

Can't say as I blame you!

explains a few things
That gets my attention. Even if it's more a matter of stuff making sense in hindsight than of suspicions held beforehand, what're some examples of what tipped you off about the... staff organization? physical layout?

(As a side note, I did make a reference to The Shining in another recent comment thread of yours. That's in part because I re-watched the Kubrick movie not long ago, and have been reading through King's telling of his own story, off and on. Incidentally, I'm saving the TV miniseries... probably worst-for-last from what reputation says, but dammit I'm curious. So yeah, "power of suggestion" and all that, on my end; no burial grounds or close-to-the-surface mob operations or wacky topiaries from what you learned about the place's past or present, though, I take it.)

Speaking of The Shining, was it you who linked me to this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAGu2TPt_78

Anyhow, it's things like the air conditioning reliably failing, but never in the same rooms in the same year; a persistent *KLUNK* in one of the elevators that never goes away; the ADA ramps being way steeper than one normally sees; the rather peculiar lobby layout with ballrooms on either side that suggest they started out as being large classrooms, and a lot of other details you don't necessarily see in your average Holiday Inn...

The staff, on the other hand, are gems and first rate at that. :D

Speaking of The Shining, was it you who linked me to this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAGu2TPt_78
I've never seen that, no, but it looks interesting. It is possible I shared this ol' online classic with you at some point:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmkVWuP_sO0

The staff, on the other hand, are gems and first rate at that. :D
That's the important part, and really good to hear. Interesting about those other details, though... Granted, if I ever happen to stay at that hotel, I'll probably stick to using the stairs.

Heh. Oh, the elevators WORK fine, just sound occasionally clunky.

And "Shining" is a classic up there with "Scary Mary"...

The layout at the old Holiday Inn by the airport was kind of funky too.

Yeah, but the ginormous atrium made up for a multitude of sins...

Huh, how interesting.

(nods) Yeah, the place has a pretty gonzo layout which makes more sense if you think in terms of it being a training facility...

Yeah, I can dig.

Frankly, it explains so much about the unique, and frankly otherwise dumb layout in the middle.

Eyup!

"you're an (insert profession)?"

"No but I stayed in an Holiday Inn Express last night ""

Kinda makes you wonder...

Indeed!

"You're an anime tentacle monster?"

"No, but I stayed in an Holiday Inn Express last night."