Hotel Etiquette
We all appreciate staying in quality hotels where the staff are professional, the check-in process is efficient, the rooms are clean, and our stay feels anticipated. We all have similar expectations of hotels, but what are some of the expectations the hotels may have of their guests? While recently staying in my favourite hotel and relaxing in my room, I found myself thinking about hotel etiquette for guests. After drawing upon my past experience as a hotel manager and extensive personal travel, I’ve compiled a practical list to help everyone be the ultimate hotel guest:
Be clear of your needs
A quick internet search of the hotel will help you identify room types and other considerations you may have, such as pets or parking. With this information, you will be able to clearly communicate what you are looking for.
Tip: Being flexible on which floor of the hotel you stay in will give you a wider selection of rooms to choose from.
Manage your volume
Remember that you’re sharing the hotel with other guests. Try to keep your avoidable noise level low at all times. If you have young children in your company, discourage them from playing loud games or running in the hallways.
Tip: Make quiet part of your preparation for travel.
Be respectful
Respect the hotel as you would your own home and leave the furniture in good condition for the next guest. This includes not jumping on beds, knocking over lamps, damaging the artwork and refraining from eating and drinking on upholstered furniture.
Tip: Report immediately when things are not right in the room, including stains and damages, so they are not attributed to your stay.
Bed linen and towels
The rule of thumb is that there is no need to make your bed or fold your towels when you check out. Instead, leave the bed unmade and bundle used towels on the bathroom floor.
Tip: To ensure a clean room for the next guest, strip the bed.
Pick up after yourself
If you tend to accumulate a fair amount of garbage, make use of the garbage containers provided. Housekeeping staff have a specific timeframe allotted to cleaning their assigned rooms. It is helpful not to create extra work for them.
Tip: Being conscious of the condition you leave the room in reduces the risk of leaving something valuable behind, i.e. jewellery, credit card, keys, glasses.
Leave the room the way you found it
If you have re-arranged the furniture during your stay, it is essential to return it at the end of your stay. This also applied to remote controls and cordless phones.
Tip: Be the guest you’d want others to be.
Leave a token of appreciation
Finally, don’t forget to leave a tip for the hardworking housekeeping staff if you are satisfied with the condition of the room when you first arrived.
Tip: We all benefit from good hotel guests.
Remember, being a guest in a hotel can be viewed as a guest in someone’s home. The more pleasant you are as a guest, the more enjoyable your stay is likely to be. Next time you are in a hotel, try out some of these tips and observe how they impact your experience.
Enjoy your next hotel stay!
