The Valet

[ramjet 1,086]

Just thought I would ask a question. I have never been anywhere posh enough, but I am wondering if anyone has and if they are happy to pass their keys over to the valet parking guy if you ever have?

[Escape 776]

Never been in that situation either, but I wouldn't feel comfortable. Think I'd ask to park myself.

In Belgium we need to handover the keys to have a 'technician' take the car through our MOT (to check brakes, dampers, etc). Always makes me cringe, they're not used to a RHD, have trouble getting in the Esprit, rev the engine, crunch the gears... I always offer to do it myself, but strictly speaking that's not allowed and usually they don't let me.

[KAS-118 229]

Likewise - never been in the situation - but wouldn't be comfortable. My brother used to work close to a car storage facility at a well known airport - I can remember him telling  me that you frequently saw them racing the cars around their car park.

[KennyN 218]

I remember handing the keys to my 911 Turbo to a guy at Southampton docks before boarding a cruise ship, he must have been 70.  I watched him drive the 100m to the car park.  I doubt he got over 10mph...I think he was terrified 

[100th_Idiot 339]

I've done it a couple of times. I know you hear the occasional horror story but I do think it is an exception especially at reasonably upmarket hotels. They will treat the car with respect.

Would not do it for airport parking.

[DaveC72 778]

The hotel I stay in when up at Head Office has little parking, so I've learnt to let them park for me.  

The outcome of this is that they always park my car in "My" spot.  If there's another car already there they will move it for me so that the Evora is always looked after

[eeyoreish 876]

You should get a personalised plate for that

[Blackngolds3turbo 217]

This is Alex’s story... all I can say is he has had some amazing experiences and opportunities!

Apologies if this sounds pretentious! I was invited to a motorsport racing awards ceremony c.2008 in Monte Carlo held at the hotel/casino. There were lots of the big racing names there - it was a great night! Anyway, I was running late having driven from the South of England with barely enough time. I had thrashed my old red S2 Esprit all the way with the longest break being about 10 miles from the venue to change into a suit in a service station. By the time I’d arrived, the car had a sort of gradient effect where the red paint met the road dirt, the roof was streaky from the somewhat *elevated* speeds, the wheels were black with brake dust and you could see the exhaust manifold and brake discs glowing through the wheel arch and tailgate when I pulled up outside. The S2 was hot! That journey should have taken around 13 hours but it was done in closer to 11 on that occasion!

I pulled up right outside the entrance, threw the keys to the valet driver and walked in - having told him it might need a touch of throttle to start it again! Later, when I looked outside at the line of exotic cars, there was the Esprit parked in the middle. They’d even cleaned it! It looked like it belonged there!

[internets 472]

Wait one minute...Alex in a suit?!  

[Blackngolds3turbo 217]

I know! I’ve only ever seen it happen at weddings, funerals and on cruises

Shame he doesn’t race anymore

[Steve V8 1,310]

BL (before Lotus) As an ordinary couple of petrolheads from a ordinary background, Sharon and I saved our pennies hard, we embarked on a European road trip taking in the Spanish F1 gp followed by a week in the south of France, the finale being the Monaco Classic and one night at the Port Palace hotel (I can assure you one night is all we could afford). 

The hotel staff could see we were just living the dream, but made us feel like royalty, even though our ride was a BMW it was my pride and joy, I took some persuading to part with the keys, but valet parking was as it said on the tin, and the rather dusty 2000 mile roadtriped BMW was returned the following evening shining like a new pin.

[Steve V8 1,310]

Haha, just looking at the photo I posted yesterday, there appears to be a naked bloke in the window of the room opposite, never noticed that before.

[Barrykearley 6,843]

Probably just a reflection