I used to have a job that required a lot of travel.  For almost 18 years I spent about 100 nights a year in hotel rooms.  One of these national chain hotels in southwest Washington State used to send me Christmas cards.  They apparently thought I was family.  Over the years, I have learned a lot.  Most of it was self-taught, but there were a few times, I learned something from hotel employees and staff.

It does not matter whether the hotel you are staying in is fancy or a budget hotel, by far, the most important consideration is that their rooms are clean.  A hotel is your home away from home.  I guess if you are used to living in squalor, any old hotel will work. But, if not, then you need to be picky.

When I book a hotel, unless I know the owners, I generally book at a national brand hotel.  That does not mean you’re going to get a perfect room.  I booked a room once that smelled like dogs so bad it would gag a maggot.  The worst part of this, is the hotel, which is part of a national hotel chain, had no other rooms for me to use.  I was forced to go to a nearby store and buy a can of air freshener just to try to cover the odor.  It did not work and I had scheduled a meeting in there for that afternoon.  (Occasionally, I conduct polygraph examinations in my hotel suites)  Another time, I booked a room at a national chain hotel and everything was great until I went to climb in bed that evening.  I took the comforter off the bed (which I always do) pulled back the top sheet and found blood on the mattress.  Not just a little, but it was obvious someone had had an accident in that bed before I happened to rent the room.  Fortunately, the hotel had another room that they allowed me to move to.  Going back to the comforter.  I once was part of an evidence collection class put on by the FBI.  One of our assignments was to conduct a forensic search of our hotel room.  So, with our evidence collection kits in hand, we all went off to our hotel rooms (again, a national chain) and began “processing” our rooms.  Back then, (I’m not sure if they still use this) we sprayed our rooms with an aerosol can of “Luminol” and then turned off the lights and viewed the room under an ultraviolet light.  Not only was there evidence of bodily fluid on the floor, but the comforter on the bed was absolutely disgusting.  Since then, the comforter comes off the bed when I get to a hotel room. 

War stories is not the reason for this post to my blog.  Yesterday as I was checking into another hotel room, I saw an empty luggage trolly sitting in the hallway, outside someone’s room.  Now if you think a person who leaves their shopping carts in the parking lot is lazy, the people who use a trolly and leave it parked in the hotel hallways are just as lazy.  They have no consideration for others who may be in need of the trolly.  This got to bothering me and I felt the need to sit down and draft a post for my blog about “Hotel Etiquette.” 

So here I go:

• Be nice to the hotel staff!

I think the most important thing a person needs to remember is that the people behind the counter are employees of the hotel and generally have nothing to do with your room.  They are often minimum-wage college students or single parents who are just trying to make ends meet.  When something goes wrong, DO NOT get mad at them.  Most likely, it is not their fault.   Most will do everything within their power to make your stay more comfortable.  It is important to treat them with the respect and kindness they deserve.  Simple courtesies, such as saying “please” and “thank you,” go a long way in fostering a positive atmosphere.   There have been MANY times when I have been given room upgrades just because I said “please” and “thank you.”  I try to empathize with them and often times make a comment about how tough their job might be, having to stand all day or deal with unfriendly people.  It is amazing what a little kindness will bring.

While on this topic, DO NOT “hit” on the female front desk clerks.  I would imagine most female front desk clerks have been made embarrassing offers at some point during their shift.  I only know this because I have interviewed a number of front desk clerks for jobs and this seems to be the one common denominator ALL of them complain about.

• Respect the Check-In and Check-Out Times:

Check-in and check-out times are established by hotels to ensure smooth operations and transitions between departing guests and arriving guests.   Adhering to these times is crucial for both the efficiency of the hotel staff and the comfort of incoming guests.  Early arrivals and late departures will disrupt the cleaning and preparation schedule, leading to delays for other guests.  If an early check-in or late check-out is necessary, it is polite to ask the front desk in advance.  But unless you have some type of pre-arranged agreement as part of your rewards program, be prepared to pay some type of fee.  If you are not willing to do this, DO NOT disrespect the hotel staff and violate their established policy.

• Be Mindful of Noise Levels:

Hotels are a shared space and attempts to minimize the noise level of the guests in your party as well as the television, radio, or just walking around in your room will be greatly appreciated.  Remember you are a guest in their facility.  While they may value you and your patronage, you are not extremely important to them, and if given a reason, they can force you to leave.  Excessive noise levels are extremely rude and obnoxious.  Peacefulness and quietness are some of the most important aspects of hotel etiquette.  Excessive noise or running up and down the hallways will disturb other guests, especially during late hours when people are trying to sleep.  Whether it’s playing music, talking loudly, or letting children run through the halls, it’s important to keep noise to a minimum.  If staying in a room with thin walls, it might be considerate to use headphones or lower the volume on electronic devices.

• Care for the Room

Treating the hotel room with respect is another crucial aspect of hotel etiquette. While housekeeping staff are responsible for cleaning and maintaining rooms, guests should not abuse this service.  It’s polite to keep the room tidy by throwing away trash, wiping up spills, and placing used towels in a designated area. Additionally, guests should avoid taking items that aren’t meant to be souvenirs, such as towels, robes, or electronic devices.  Remember that anything taken from the room that is not complimentary will likely result in additional charges that could come as a surprise.  Just because you checked out, does not mean they can’t bill you for these additional charges.

• Proper Use of Hotel Amenities

Most hotels provide various amenities, such as swimming pools, gyms, and breakfast buffets, for the enjoyment of their guests.  Using these amenities properly and respectfully is part of good hotel etiquette.  For example, when using the pool, guests should shower before entering, follow safety guidelines, and be mindful of others who are using the space.  At breakfast buffets, it’s polite to take only what you’ll eat and not to hoard food for later consumption, and do not bring extra guests to breakfast with you.  Hotels budget for the number of people staying and extra mouths to feed only takes away from the paying guests.  These small acts of consideration help ensure that all guests can enjoy the hotel’s amenities equally.

• Tipping Etiquette

Tipping hotel staff, such as housekeepers, bellhops, and concierge, is a customary practice in many places and an important aspect of hotel etiquette.  While tipping policies vary depending on the country and the level of service, it is generally a good idea to leave a small gratuity for those who go above and beyond to make your stay comfortable.  Housekeeping staff, in particular, often work behind the scenes, and a tip left in the room at the end of your stay is a thoughtful way to acknowledge their hard work.  I generally leave a tip on my bed every day I stay.  This pays dividends when the housekeeping staff takes extra care to ensure your room is clean and organized.

• Feedback and Complaints

I touched on this already, but it never hurts to reiterate this message.  If a problem arises during a hotel stay, it’s important to address it respectfully with the on-duty staff. Constructive feedback helps hotel management improve their services, but complaints should be made politely and at appropriate times.  Yelling or being rude to staff will not solve the problem and can create an unpleasant environment.  When providing feedback, whether positive or negative, it’s helpful to be specific about what went wrong or what you appreciated.  This information allows the hotel to address issues effectively or continue practices that guests enjoy.

As always, Travel safely.

Alan