The moment you check into a hotel room is filled with excitement, but a few wrong moves can spoil the experience. Mistakes in this environment can affect your stay and impact other guests and staff. Here’s what you need to know about hotel room dos and don’ts to make your visit pleasant for everyone involved.
Keep Noise to a Minimum
Hotel walls can be surprisingly thin, allowing sound to travel easily between rooms. Be mindful of your noise levels, whether talking, watching TV, or playing music. This is particularly important at night and early morning when other guests will likely be sleeping. After all, you’d probably hate being woken up while trying to get some rest.
Avoid Overcrowding Your Room
Bringing more people into your room than allowed can lead to overcrowding and violate fire safety regulations. Sneaking in a couple of extra friends may seem like a good money-saving idea, but it’ll cost you in the long run. Stick to the number of guests registered in your booking.
No Improper Use of Towels
Be respectful of the items your accommodation provides. Hotel towels are meant for drying off, not cleaning spills or removing makeup. Misuse can lead to extra charges for cleaning or replacement. Use them appropriately and request cleaning supplies from the front desk if needed.
Save the Sheets
Be careful with makeup and shoe polish, as these can permanently stain white linens. Instead of risking damage to the hotel’s towels or sheets, use appropriate removers and cleaning cloths. Many hotels provide makeup remover wipes, or you can bring your own.
Don’t Ignore the No Smoking Signs
Smoking in a non-smoking room not only disregards hotel policy but also can lead to significant cleaning fees to rid the room of the smoke smell. If you must smoke, ask the front desk where the designated smoking areas are located. Remember, violating hotel policies can result in additional charges or even eviction from the premises.
Don’t Take Hotel Property
While taking plush bathrobes or designer shampoo bottles might be tempting, taking items from your hotel room can result in charges to your account. In extreme cases, theft might even land you in jail. These items are there to enhance your stay, not to be taken home.
Resist Rearranging the Furniture
Moving furniture around can cause unnecessary noise, disturb other guests, and potentially damage the furniture or hotel property. If you need more space, consider asking for a different room layout when booking.
No Illegal Activities
Using your hotel room for illegal activities can lead to serious consequences, including being banned from the property or legal action. Always use the property for its intended purpose, which is to provide a place of rest.
Avoid Cooking in the Room
Except in suites with kitchenettes designed for cooking, using your room’s coffee maker or iron to cook food can trigger the smoke alarm and is considered a fire hazard. Instead, utilize the hotel’s dining services or local eateries.
Be Considerate About Food Disposal
Managing leftover food properly during your hotel stay is vital to avoid attracting pests and creating unpleasant odors. Use the hotel’s garbage disposal services rather than leaving leftovers in your room. If you’re unsure how to dispose of your food waste, don’t hesitate to ask the hotel staff for guidance. They can direct you to the nearest disposal facilities or provide in-room options to ensure your space remains clean and comfortable.
Don’t Abuse the Wi-Fi
When using the hotel Wi-Fi, consider the available bandwidth. Refrain from downloading large files or streaming high-definition videos, which can consume a significant amount of the network’s resources and slow down the internet for other guests. If you have heavy internet needs, consider using your data plan for larger downloads, which is probably safer if you want to protect yourself from hackers.
Laundry Should Be Done Properly
Washing items in your bathroom can cause unintended issues such as water damage and mold growth, not to mention potential plumbing problems. The hotel’s laundry services are equipped to handle various garments properly, ensuring that your clothes get cleaned without damaging the room or inconveniencing you.
Inspect for Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are an ongoing issue in many hotels. Start by looking around the bed frame, headboard, and mattress seams for signs of these pests. If you spot any indications of an infestation, such as minor rust-colored stains or the bugs themselves, notify hotel management immediately.
Decorations Need Approval
Before decking out your room for a celebration, check with the hotel about what’s allowed. Some decorations can trigger smoke detectors or cause damage that might incur charges.
Stay Eco-Friendly
Being eco-conscious in a hotel helps the environment and the establishment’s operational efficiency. Always turn off lights, the TV, and other electronic devices when you’re not using them or leaving the room. Also, try to keep your showers brief to conserve water.
Pet Policies Matter
Bringing your pet without checking hotel policies can cause issues. Some places aren’t pet-friendly, and sneaking your buddy in can incur extra fees. It could also get you thrown out of the hotel in the middle of the night.
Be Graceful About Accidents
If you accidentally break something, report it to the front desk immediately. Most hotels appreciate honesty and may waive damage fees if you handle the situation responsibly.
Don’t Block the Door
Keeping your door propped open can be a security risk. To ensure your safety and that of others, keep your door locked when you’re inside, and don’t block exit routes.
Avoid Check-Out Surprises
Take a quick video or photo of your room’s condition upon checking in. Record any parts of the room that are broken or in disrepair. This can help you avoid charges for damages you didn’t cause, which happens more often than you’d think.
End on a Good Note
Leave the room tidy at check-out, gather all your belongings, and return key cards to the front desk. This helps housekeeping and ensures you haven’t left anything behind. Leaving your room like a hurricane hit isn’t cool. A common courtesy to housekeeping is to keep your space tidy.
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