25 Relatable Things We All Do During A Hotel Stay
General hotel rules that are tacitly followed by everyone despite no formal agreement.
When flying or visiting a new country, we try to be on our best behaviour to avoid any potential unwanted problems. Similarly, when we spend time at a hotel, we change our habits in small ways to ensure a pleasant stay throughout.
These little behavioural adjustments may be something we all unconsciously engage in. According to the respondents of one Reddit question asking, “What are some unspoken rules that you automatically follow when staying in a hotel?” these unwritten hotel rules consist of the following.
Image source: Numerous-Ad4715, Michel Stockman/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
I open and look in EVERYTHING. I’m not sure what I’m looking for exactly but I do it anyway.
Image source: Any_Context1, Frank Eiffert/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Be quiet in the hallways.
Image source: markjamesmurphy, Simon Maage/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
I like to autograph the Bible “With love, Jesus”.
Image source: Chemical-Section7895, Moksha Jain/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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: vocabulazy, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Treat the staff like princes/princesses. Good manners often get you extra attention and perks.
Image source: thorstad, Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd./Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Dont let the door slam behind you when leaving your room. Seems simple enough.
Image source: toby_wan_kenoby, Kateryna Hliznitsova/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The floor is lava, not to be touched with bare feet..
Image source: Mr_Lumbergh, CHUTTERSNAP/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Peel the sheets back and check for evidence of bed bugs.
Image source: BodybuilderClean2480, Lala Azizli/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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: Niknak003, Jonathan Mueller/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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: StromboliOctopus, P C/Flickr (not the actual photo)
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: Fidulsk-Oom-Bard, Denny Müller/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Throw your towels in a pile in the bathroom.
Image source: mostlkc, Phil Desforges/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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: doom1701, LightFieldStudios/Envato (not the actual photo)
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: McS**t7717, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Don't hit on the cleaning ladies. They're not there for that.
Image source: MonkeyManJohannon, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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: iviviv_alt, Blake Cheek/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Immediately untuck those tight a*s sheets.
Image source: openheartdirtymind, Taylor Beach/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Don’t put your luggage on the bed.
Talk quietly in the hallways if you are talking.
Image source: ProfessionalSir3395, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Check to see if there's any hidden cameras.
Image source: F**K_INDUSTRIAL, Erik Mclean/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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: RoyalChris, Mathilde Langevin/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Always take their soap when you leave.
Image source: SyntheticOne, Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Wipe down the remote.
Image source: Hippy_Lynne, Hans Isaacson/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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: Kinky_mofo, insung yoon/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
I fold a swan into the end of the toilet paper to one-up the maids who fold corners into it.
Image source: chibiMaineCoone, Nik Lanús/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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.
#1
Image source: Numerous-Ad4715, Michel Stockman/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
I open and look in EVERYTHING. I’m not sure what I’m looking for exactly but I do it anyway.
#2
Image source: Any_Context1, Frank Eiffert/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Be quiet in the hallways.
#3
Image source: markjamesmurphy, Simon Maage/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
I like to autograph the Bible “With love, Jesus”.
#4
Image source: Chemical-Section7895, Moksha Jain/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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.
#5
Image source: vocabulazy, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Treat the staff like princes/princesses. Good manners often get you extra attention and perks.
#6
Image source: thorstad, Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd./Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Dont let the door slam behind you when leaving your room. Seems simple enough.
#7
Image source: toby_wan_kenoby, Kateryna Hliznitsova/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The floor is lava, not to be touched with bare feet..
#8
Image source: Mr_Lumbergh, CHUTTERSNAP/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Peel the sheets back and check for evidence of bed bugs.
#9
Image source: BodybuilderClean2480, Lala Azizli/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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.
#10
Image source: Niknak003, Jonathan Mueller/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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. ?.
#11
Image source: StromboliOctopus, P C/Flickr (not the actual photo)
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.
#12
Image source: Fidulsk-Oom-Bard, Denny Müller/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Throw your towels in a pile in the bathroom.
#13
Image source: mostlkc, Phil Desforges/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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.
#14
Image source: doom1701, LightFieldStudios/Envato (not the actual photo)
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.
#15
Image source: McS**t7717, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Don't hit on the cleaning ladies. They're not there for that.
#16
Image source: MonkeyManJohannon, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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.
#17
Image source: iviviv_alt, Blake Cheek/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Immediately untuck those tight a*s sheets.
#18
Image source: openheartdirtymind, Taylor Beach/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Don’t put your luggage on the bed.
Talk quietly in the hallways if you are talking.
#19
Image source: ProfessionalSir3395, Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Check to see if there's any hidden cameras.
#20
Image source: F**K_INDUSTRIAL, Erik Mclean/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Showers only. I don't trust hotels to properly clean their bath tubs so I'm not going to sit down in one.
#21
Image source: RoyalChris, Mathilde Langevin/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Always take their soap when you leave.
#22
Image source: SyntheticOne, Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Wipe down the remote.
#23
Image source: Hippy_Lynne, Hans Isaacson/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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.
#24
Image source: Kinky_mofo, insung yoon/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
I fold a swan into the end of the toilet paper to one-up the maids who fold corners into it.
#25
Image source: chibiMaineCoone, Nik Lanús/Unsplash (not the actual photo)
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.DE
Written by
Demilked Editorial
SaaS Review Specialist · Demilked
With 5+ years in the creator, entertainment, and publishing spaces, Demilked shortlists, reviews, and ranks leading tools that actually make your life easier.