Via iStockphoto / @kristadiamondwrites TikTok/Taylor Beach Unsplash
A Las Vegas woman was shocked by her hotel in Utah. It really takes staying on theme to the extreme—too extreme for one guest.
Las Vegas writer Krista Diamond is on a tour for her new book, “Close Relationships With Strangers.” It’s becoming a lesson in hotel living. One day, she’s poolside at the Chateau Marmont; another is a stay at a very enthusiastically themed Hilton in Utah.
Diamond (@kristadiamondwrites) posted a since-deleted TikTok video from the beginning of her book tour showcasing how deep into character one Moab hotel got.
Speaking about the rock-climbing-themed Slackline hotel, Diamond captioned her video, “Hilton dared to ask, ‘What if millennial cringe was a hotel?” The video has been viewed 127,100 times.
Next, she takes the internet on a tour. Suffice to say, the designer leaned in to the hotel’s locale.
She kicks off by sharing the “do not disturb” doorknob sign. It’s a thin wood panel, with a jack rabbit at the top. On one side is the standard “do not disturb” phrase. On the other side, “out on an adventure” is printed.
Diamond points out that “it’s fine” that the hotel is embracing the “outdoorsy” vibe of Moab. But also, she says, “We’re at a Hilton, and they’re just kind of doing too much.”
Then, she zooms in on the room’s refrigerator, which looks like a camping cooler. From the hangboard to the toilet paper that’s secured by a carabiner to the wall, it’s all “very extreme,” she says. “Very extreme.”
But “most importantly,” the writer notes, there’s a portaledge hanging on the wall, right across from a very comfortable bed. “I do wonder, if I get drunk and try to climb into the portaledge: Is that on me, or is that on them?” she asks.
We’re All Climbers Here
By the end of the video, Diamond has concluded that the entire experience is “deeply embarrassing.” But the internet disagrees—and does so in pretty harsh terms.
“You are for sure the friend that always brings down the mood lol,” @midwest_ruca said.
“You chose a themed hotel and now you’re embarrassed that the themed hotel stayed on theme?” another critiqued.
Another pointed out the fact that everything that’s “wrong” in design can not be piled at the feet of an entire generation.
“Millennials getting blamed for sterile monochrome design and now also unusual themed decor,” @molebucks said.
“Why are you calling this millennial cringe? There’s a clear climbing theme to the room. What does that have to do with millennials?” another questioned.
Then there’s Garett (@hisuiangarrett) who only sees a single problem, and it has to do with hygiene. “The only problem I see is the toilet paper hanging off very porous material that can’t be easily cleaned,” he says.
What Is ‘Millennial Cringe’? And Why Do Millennials Get Such A Bad Rap?
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) get called out for all sorts of infractions—from design and aesthetics to a general feeling of earnestness that sometimes manifests as public oversharing. But it’s also a function of getting older. Elder millennials are now well into their 40s, facing similar challenges to generations before them. Everything from trends to technology is changing in ways that they’re probably too busy to follow.
There’s also something else that might set millennials apart from Gen X and Gen Z: optimism. A 2026 article in Forbes reports that “millennials are the most optimistic generation about workplace happiness improving, with 52% expressing confidence that things will get better.”
Gen X, by contract, is more skeptical, shaped by growing up during Watergate and the Reagan administration.” Gen Z has been described as pessimistic because many have concluded they’ll never hit life’s major milestones, like owning a home or retiring.
If the rest of the world seems, perhaps, clear-eyed and focused on survival, the inherent optimism might make millennials a ripe target. Paired with “hopecore” posting and the temptation to roast an entire generation might be too tough to ignore.
BroBible reached out to Diamond via her website’s contact form and via TikTok direct message. We reached out to Hilton via their press contact form. We will update this article if either reply.