Originally Posted by
wbl-mn-flyer
Feel free to ignore this information, and enjoy your street level view of the garbage cans, while someone who knows about the trick enjoys the big room on a high floor facing the thing you'd like to see out your window. I was just trying to be helpful.
This is a well known phenomenon, especially in places like Las Vegas. You may have seen something similar in movies, where a bill handed to the Maître d' at a nice restaurant gets you a good table?
Just asking nicely can also work. I wasn't aware of this tactic until now, but recent experience shows it's not always necessary if you're not comfortable with it.
On our recent stay in New York, my wife arrived the day before me and so checked in for us. She was given a room on the third floor, which being my lovely wife she accepted without saying a word. I got there the next day and upon learning of this asked if they had any rooms available higher up the building. The lovely girl at the front desk noticed we were staying for 8 nights and said she'd make sure we were sorted out - the next day we were moved up to the 22nd floor by her colleague (where the rooms are supposed to cost more) at no charge and for no tip. All we did was ask nicely, and thank them graciously afterwards.
So sometimes, even in America, those providing a service will be nice just to be nice!