“Staying in a hotel” is such a spectrum of experiences, ranging from “a motel where the sirens outside never stop” to excellent, all inclusives, where your every need is catered to. However, it’s not at all strange or unusual to have some personal predilections towards what to do and avoid.
A netizen asked “What are some unspoken rules that you automatically follow when staying in a hotel?” and people shared their personal preferences. We also got in touch with the person who made the thread to learn more. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and list your own hotel rules in the comments section below.
#1
Be quiet in the hallways.
Image source: Any_Context1, Frank Eiffert/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#2
Treat the staff like princes/princesses. Good manners often get you extra attention and perks.
Image source: vocabulazy, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#3
I open and look in EVERYTHING. I’m not sure what I’m looking for exactly but I do it anyway.
Image source: Numerous-Ad4715, Michel Stockman/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#4
I like to autograph the Bible “With love, Jesus”.
Image source: markjamesmurphy, Simon Maage/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#5
Dont let the door slam behind you when leaving your room. Seems simple enough.
Image source: thorstad, Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd./Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#6
Peel the sheets back and check for evidence of bed bugs.
Image source: Mr_Lumbergh, CHUTTERSNAP/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#7
This is for when it’s time to check out. Before you leave, make sure to give the sheets a good shake to ensure you didn’t accidentally leave anything on the bed. Also check every single drawer or storage space in the room, even if you didn’t use it. I’ve never actually left anything behind, but my anxious a*s always feels like I’m forgetting something, so I check everything to make sure I didn’t actually do so. 😅.
Image source: Niknak003, Jonathan Mueller/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#8
The floor is lava, not to be touched with bare feet. .
Image source: toby_wan_kenoby, Kateryna Hliznitsova/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#9
Leave a decent tip for the housekeeper. They do an awful job for low wages, and they have access to your stuff. Be nice to them! :) I’ve gotten lovely thank-you notes and extra goodies left in my room by leaving a decent tip.
Image source: BodybuilderClean2480, Lala Azizli/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#10
Immediately untuck those tight a*s sheets.
Image source: iviviv_alt, Blake Cheek/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#11
I make sure all trash is placed in trash can before leaving, and I put back ironing board, hangers, and luggage rack, and ensure towels are n a neat pile in the bathroom, or right outside the hotel door.
Image source: Chemical-Section7895, Moksha Jain/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#12
I always check that everything is working as soon as I arrive in the room. That way if it’s not and they have to move me, it’s a lot easier to move all my stuff and nothing accidentally gets left behind.
Image source: Hippy_Lynne, Hans Isaacson/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#13
I spent half the year last year in hotels. Most of it one specific hotel for 1-2 weeks at a time.
My only rule is to put the “Do not disturb” sign on the door as soon as I get there. I don’t want anyone, including housekeeping, touching my stuff.
Image source: doom1701, LightFieldStudios/Envato (not the actual photo)
#14
When I was a kid, my family stayed in hotels on vacation only once every other year or so. My parents took one of the drawers in the room and filled it with all kinds of snacks. That was 40 years ago, and I always have stuff to set up a snack drawer whenever I get a room even if it’s for one night. It’s just feels right.
Image source: StromboliOctopus, P C/Flickr (not the actual photo)
#15
Showers only. I don’t trust hotels to properly clean their bath tubs so I’m not going to sit down in one.
Image source: F**K_INDUSTRIAL, Erik Mclean/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#16
Throw your towels in a pile in the bathroom.
Image source: Fidulsk-Oom-Bard, Denny Müller/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#17
Always take their soap when you leave.
Image source: RoyalChris, Mathilde Langevin/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#18
Don’t hit on the cleaning ladies. They’re not there for that.
Image source: McS**t7717, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#19
Don’t put your luggage on the bed.
Talk quietly in the hallways if you are talking.
Image source: openheartdirtymind, Taylor Beach/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#20
I fold a swan into the end of the toilet paper to one-up the maids who fold corners into it.
Image source: Kinky_mofo, insung yoon/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#21
I stay in HUNDREDS of hotels a year. (Mid to low end, Choice, Wyndham, Best Western chains mainly)
Here’s some advice.
1) People sleep during the DAY in hotels too. Act accordingly. We have to work all night to make everything work right.
2) PLEASE PLEASE don’t come down to breakfast in socks or bare feet. This isn’t your house.
3) Try not to let the door slam.
4) Your dog usually barks the whole time you leave the poor thing alone in a strange place.
5) Hotel walls are not that thick. Please turn the TV and your voice down.
6) Return the luggage cart (there’s a special place in hell for you)
7) Your kids are not behaving when you’re not watching them.
8) Stomping and running around is unacceptable if you are not on the first floor.
9) Lock your car, don’t leave anything you can’t replace in it.
10) You can USUALLY get a better rate online than in person at the front desk.
Image source: mostlkc, Phil Desforges/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#22
Look up the thermostat model on google to find out how to override the temp/fan limitations…so you can turn the room into Antarctica if you wish.
Image source: MonkeyManJohannon, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#23
Check to see if there’s any hidden cameras.
Image source: ProfessionalSir3395, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#24
Wipe down the remote.
Image source: SyntheticOne, Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#25
1. Never sit naked on anything other than the bed. Sheets and towels are washed after every visit. The rest of the furniture gets a quick wipe-down at best. I don’t know who else has had their genitals on that couch… Most hotels don’t wash the comforter unless it looks dirty, because they are so bulky and slow down the rate of laundry turn-around. And in some hotels, they don’t wash the decorative top sheet, either.
2. Be courteous to others. They are also trying to have a vacation.
3. Pack up the night before checkout. I won’t have to rush out the door in the morning.
Image source: chibiMaineCoone, Nik Lanús/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#26
Don’t make unnecessary noise at night. Do stuff you need to do, take a shower, etc, but don’t make loud sounds late.
Image source: sexrockandroll, Marcel Strauß/Unsplash (not he actual photo)
#27
If the coffee maker is in the bathroom, it’s not getting used.
Image source: baardvark, Sean Benesh/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#28
Frequent traveler here.
Pre check in: book a room with two queens vs. one king as the second bed provides additional storage room, and an additional comforter/ pillows if needed. For those who love to throw their luggage on the bed- this is key for you. Stop sitting your luggage on the bedding that you plan to sleep on.
Request late check out via the app/ calling the hotel front desk.
Step 1:
Open hotel door- and immediately place the DND sign on the handle. No need for any room servicing if my stay is under a week. If greater than 3 days, I’ll simply request the needed items be placed in front of my door, or pick them up in the lobby. More importantly, this alleviates the constant knocking/ unexpected room entrances while you’re on a conference call, or stepping into, or out of the shower.
This alleviates more issues than you think it does, as half the hotel anxiety I hear about from travelers is about their belongings when they’re not present in the room.
Step 2:
Check to ensure mini fridge is working. Check to ensure shower is working and has hot water. Sounds extreme, but you generally wouldn’t notice issues with these two things until it’s too late. Any medications, or food being stored in the mini fridge would be ruined by this point- and if you have issues with your shower, regardless of it being no hot water, no pressure, or other- by the time you discover it in the morning it’s too late. You’re now late for your site visit/ work meeting. Same applies to the iron if ironing is needed.
Step 3:
If important work meeting in the AM- call the front desk to request a wake up call. I can’t tell you how many times my iPhone alarm doesn’t sound- for whatever reason, regardless of being set. This alleviates issues here. Also, confirm your late check out at this time. Regardless of you confirming this prior to checking in, it somehow gets missed regularly. If you’re not at the hotel at the standard checkout time, yet your belongings are still in the room- this creates quite the unnecessary chaos. It’s best to ensure that this scenario is avoided altogether.
Step 4:
Reasonably inspect bedding once comforter is removed for any concerns.
Step 5:
Prior to exiting the room for check out. Untuck the bedding on unused bed. This is to ensure new bedding is applied for the next guest. House keeping will rarely remake a bed after a guest- if it appears to be untouched.
That is all. Check out, and repeat roughly 300 times annually lol.
Image source: gypsyman9002, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#29
Leave the spare door key/keycard on the floor by the door so you will see it and grab it as you leave if you are evacuated for fire or earthquake. If you leave without your key you will end up in a massive queue of people getting replacement keys at 1am.
Image source: schadenfreude317, Marten Bjork/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
#30
Entering the room, I take off my shoes and put on my house slippers, Mr. Rogers style.
Image source: Spiritual-Promise402, mahabis footwear/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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