CBR has it's share of people hanging off the balconies to talk on their cell phones. I could receive calls in my room, but I usually stepped outside for better reception (I was on the 2nd floor). Other people I talked to there could get absolutely no reception in their rooms, so I considered myself lucky to get calls in the room. Friends of mine there at the same time could get no reception without going to the parking lot. I think what kind of phone you have has a lot to do with it.