Don't see how your bank account would enter into it with a Credit Card transaction.

I have credit holds put on my credit card in lots of traveling situations. Not just hotel rooms, but rental cars as well. Some high-end restaurants will do this too to make sure you can pay the bill when you leave. Most will tell you about it when you use the card, but it's not an unusual business practice. Unfortunately, there are lots of unscrupulous travelers who will try to get out of paying when traveling... or to try to get out of a hotel bill in Las Vegas when they have a big loss [g]. Not suggesting that was the case with Stan, but it's a tough world for business who accept credit cards these days.