When I check into hotels very late at night I often get a subpar front desk agent. They don't greet me or make much eye contact. Elite recognition is spotty and perks (like bottled water) are often neglected unless I ask for them. They're very curt and don't even provide basic information about the hotel (like breakfast hours) unless I ask specifically.

Infallibly, when I check out the next day at a normal hour, I am met with a smiling, warm agent that you would expect from a Hilton or Marriott caliber of hotel.

Do hotels reduce the bar for hiring night shift front desk agents?