Wow. How could a hotel not know about a non-functioning shower? What kind of plumbing would have different feeds to the sink and shower? I guess it would have to be a broken shower valve. I have (rarely) dealt with no or little hot water, but would really have a problem with no water, especially if I found it in the morning which is when I take my shower. I think that the room should be comp'd (like the Hampton guarantee). And yes, the employer gets the benefit. If I were paying for a friend to stay at a hotel and the hotel refunded the money, I would expect the friend to give it back to me.