We all have our routines in life. If you’re a frequent hotel guest, odds are that there are some habits that you’ve picked up over the years, whether logical or not. In this post, I thought it would be fun to share some of my habits when staying at a hotel. I think some of these make sense, while others might be a little strange.
I’ll share mine below, in no particular order, and I’d love for OMAAT readers to share their habits in the comments section, to see how they compare…
In this post:
Check room inventory just prior to arriving
Obviously everyone wants to have as nice of a hotel stay as possible, and in that regard, it’s worth doing a little research before checking in. Shortly before arriving at a hotel, I’ll always check what room I’ve been assigned, assuming I’m staying at a hotel group that makes that information available through its app (obviously this doesn’t work for independent properties, or smaller hotel groups).
I also check what rooms are still for sale, just to get a general sense of whether I should ask about the possibility of a room upgrade, what would be realistic, etc.
Enter the room slowly, and make a noise
When you check into a hotel room, you expect that it will be empty and properly serviced. However, sometimes mistakes happen. I remember several years ago entering my hotel room for the first time after a long flight, only to find the room occupied.
Ever since, I open the door very slowly when first entering the room, and maybe say “hello” or something along those lines, to make sure there’s no one in there. Fortunately it hasn’t been an issue since, but the one experience was enough to traumatize me. 😉
Take a picture of the hotel room number
When you check into a hotel, you’ll typically give your key in an envelope that has the room number written on it. As soon as I get to my room, I take a picture of the room number (either the placard by the door, or the key envelope), and then discard the envelope.
Why do I get rid of the envelope with the room number? Well, it’s easy enough to lose a room key, and the last thing you want to do is have someone else with not only your room key, but also your room number.
Check alarm clocks immediately
As much as housekeeping does a good job cleaning rooms at most places, all too often they don’t seem to check if alarm clocks have been turned off. So I always check clocks to make sure that they’re not set. Then again, given that I get up unpleasantly early no matter where I am, alarm clocks typically don’t actually wake me up, but they do startle me.
I’m hardly the most tech savvy person on earth, but I’m kind of amazed that people still use in-room alarm clocks, given that anyone’s phone can function as an alarm. They are slowly being phased out at many hotels, which I frankly don’t mind.
Check the air conditioning & shower
When you arrive in your hotel room, you hope that everything is functioning as promised. However, all too often that’s not the case. So the first thing I’ll do when I get to a hotel room is checking the air conditioning as well as the shower to make sure that they’re both working correctly.
You don’t want to find out that the air conditioning isn’t working late at night when you go to bed, and when there may be no rooms you can be moved to. Similarly, you don’t want to only find out the shower is having issues when you’re rushed in the morning prior to departing.
Use the deadbolt whenever in the room
Without exception, I always use the deadbolt when I’m in the room. This is just a basic safety protocol, since there are all kinds of people who may otherwise be able to access your room. So whether it’s the day or the middle of the night, I always have the deadbolt in use.
All too often we hear stories of rooms being broke into (including while occupied), and in a vast majority of situations, that could be prevented by simply using the deadbolt.
Use the “do not disturb” sign when in the room
I realize some people will disagree with me on this, but I almost always have the “do not disturb” sign on when I’m in the room. When it comes to hotel housekeeping, my strategy is to just let the hotel know when I’m leaving the room so that it can be serviced, rather than having housekeeping constantly checking to see if it’s a good time for my room to be cleaned.
The only time I won’t use the “do not disturb” sign is if I just arrived, and if I’m expecting there might be a welcome amenity delivered, or something along those lines.
Check the closet and under the bed
I admit that this falls into the “strange” category. Once I arrive in a hotel room, I always check both the closets and under the bed. I recognize that this is probably entirely irrational, but you’ve gotta make sure there are no ghosts or other weird spirits there. I’m totally serious, by the way (well, about checking… I’m not sure why I do so, though).
I know other people look for hidden cameras and other things, but that’s not something I do, personally.
Never slam hotel room doors
This is more of a “golden rule” policy of mine than anything else, but it’s something I do religiously. When staying in a hotel, it’s easy to assume (or hope?) that sound insulation is good. Often it isn’t. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been woken up by other people in nearby rooms closing their doors loudly in the middle of the night.
So whenever I exit my room, I always try to close the door manually and quietly, rather than just letting it slam. This also serves another purpose, so I can make sure that the door is closed correctly. Similarly, I try to keep my voice down in the hallway.
Use the gym to get free water
I drink a lot of water. I’m not a water diva, and I’m happy to drink tap water anywhere that it’s safe to do so. That being said, sometimes I end up in places where it’s not safe, and then you find that a hotel only gives you a couple of bottles per day.
While some hotels are happy to send up more water complimentary, others aren’t. Regardless, my approach is to typically just go to the hotel gym to get water, since it’s almost always readily available there.
Consider tipping housekeeping
The topic of tipping hotel housekeeping is controversial. I’m not trying to open that whole can of worms, but rather am sharing that tipping housekeeping is part of my hotel routine. Admittedly it depends on where I’m traveling to, but it’s something I try to do in the United States, since I know what economic conditions are like for housekeepers, and what our general tipping culture is like.
The reality is that hotel housekeepers are among the hardest working and lowest paid employees at hotels. While the bellmen are often tipped simply for briefly handling luggage or opening a door, housekeepers do a lot more for guests, but aren’t rewarded as often. I guess it comes down to “out of sight, out of mind.”
While I don’t travel with much cash, I try to bring some small amounts of money with me to tip hotel housekeeping, as a gesture of appreciation for the hard work they do.
Bottom line
We all have our habits in life, so I figured it would be fun to share some of my habits when staying at hotels, and compare those to others. I think some of these make perfect sense, while others perhaps border on paranoia. Then again, who doesn’t have some strange rituals?
What are your hotel habits, and how do they compare to mine?
Some of them (irrational ones too) overlap with mine. As a photographer, I like to take interior photos of the room and bathrooms in pristine state upon arriving prior to unpacking.
There was a scene from Jim Jarmusch movie, “Mystery Train” where the man from the Japanese tourist couple takes photos of the room and his reason was that people forget what the hotel room they stayed in looked like. I like to document...
Some of them (irrational ones too) overlap with mine. As a photographer, I like to take interior photos of the room and bathrooms in pristine state upon arriving prior to unpacking.
There was a scene from Jim Jarmusch movie, “Mystery Train” where the man from the Japanese tourist couple takes photos of the room and his reason was that people forget what the hotel room they stayed in looked like. I like to document the place I stayed as well.
I also take pic of hotel room door, check alarm clocks, check AC, shower, AND flush the toilet, use the deadbolt and chain, check the closet and under the bed, and close the room door softly and walk quietly down the corridor.
After settling in, if it’s still daylight, I take a quick walk around the neighborhood - recon for supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, etc.. At the supermarket, I typically buy snacks, additional Nespresso pods, and 2 liter bottle of water.
In the mid‑00s, when taking pictures while jumping on hotel beds became popular, that was always the first thing I did when I got into a hotel room. I couldn’t resist letting my inner kid out. But ever since box‑spring beds became less common, it just isn't the same. Did anyone else do that?
I always check the hair dryer. On two occasions (not in same hotel), I discovered it was not working. My discovery was made in the morning after my shower. I had to be somewhere in 90 minutes, and the 25-minute delay in having a new dryer brought to me was stressful; I have long hair and it takes 30 minutes to dry.
When traveling with family on stays of 4 nights or more, I ask the hotel to clear the mini bar ( so we can use the fridge more easily). Never get any pushback and it makes the room more useable.
Also when with family I check to see how to make the bathroom private. Seems simple but isn’t always (looking at you Conrad Osaka).
Part of the routine is also to put passports in the safe before doing anything else in the room.
“Being broken into,” not “being broke into”
Some very good points here. I'll add 'looking-for-the-fire-escape' into my own small list. That's a very good one, in fact.
Nobody likes bed bugs, but stripping down the mattress to check is overkill. If you want to know if your hotel has a serious bed bug problem, look up reviews before you book! There'll be persistent reviews from genuine guests saying so (as opposed to one-off disgruntled guests or troublemakers). Because bed bug infestations...
Some very good points here. I'll add 'looking-for-the-fire-escape' into my own small list. That's a very good one, in fact.
Nobody likes bed bugs, but stripping down the mattress to check is overkill. If you want to know if your hotel has a serious bed bug problem, look up reviews before you book! There'll be persistent reviews from genuine guests saying so (as opposed to one-off disgruntled guests or troublemakers). Because bed bug infestations don't usually confine themselves to just one guest room.
I always check for bed bugs
Personally I do some of this stuff.
I don't usually "check the AC" but if I'm in a place where I WANT AC (I like to sleep in the cold) then I'm turning it on, so it's less of a check and more of a "i want it cold in here immediately" type move. I don't check the shower, but maybe I'll start doing that.
I pretty much always have the DND sign because I...
Personally I do some of this stuff.
I don't usually "check the AC" but if I'm in a place where I WANT AC (I like to sleep in the cold) then I'm turning it on, so it's less of a check and more of a "i want it cold in here immediately" type move. I don't check the shower, but maybe I'll start doing that.
I pretty much always have the DND sign because I sleep late and I almost never take any kind of room cleaning. Unless I'm gonna be there for more than 3 days, I don't need it so I figure it helps the employees, it's one less room they gotta make up. Deadbolt/chain is a must, I have an extra lock thing from Amazon, but I never remember to use it.
My big one...I flush the toilet pretty much immediately when I get in, cuz I wanna know how the flow is. I don't poop on planes unless it's an emergency, and I try not to in airports, because even the lounges can be kinda nightmarish to really take care of business in the washrooms. So my first order of business in a hotel room is usually to put in some throne time lol. I wanna make sure it works and that there's some decent flow, and I used to visit a website that told you what to do with the paper, but it seems to be dead now, so I just guess or google.
T.M.I. !
Although in total agreement with avoiding airplane / airport 'throne' time' unless real emergencies, of course ...
..... lol
Another think I do is check out the locaton of the fire exit in the hallway.
Very smart, I never do. I always kinda see the maps, but I'm always really bad at understanding them visually. I should start making sure I know where a fire exit is. Gonna try and make this part of the routine.
I always keep the key folder. Not with me, but put on the desk or a drawer. Then when I check out I put the keys back in it, and then can just hand it to the front desk on way out.
The tipping thing is interesting. I will generally not tip unless there is a reason to do so that requires extra work for the housekeeping.
Because its not a thing except in tipping diseased USA where corporate greed demands you pay their employees wages..
I used to always run a WiFi speed test, but thankfully slow internet isn’t as prevalent as it was years ago.
I do a lot of these. I also check that little map on the back of the door to see which way and how far away the closest emergency exit is. I duty to definitely remember whether I should turn right or left and about how many doors down. Definitely check the AC and if I’m in a hotel with an AC unit on the outer wall, I check and if necessary clean the filter. Especially if the room smells musty. It makes a big difference.
One of the first things I do when I get to a new hotel room is to clear all the various promotional materials, brochures, menus, etc into a drawer or wardrobe. Hotel rooms these days can feel so cluttered. The whole exercise of decluttering can take time and every time I wonder if anyone else does this...
Yes, I agree on this.
I also put the TV remote control in with them because I never use the TV.
And sweep the cushions off the bed into wardrobe, or sometimes just the corner of the room.
Staying with friends or family is often worse - most people seem to think the room should look cosy when one walks in, rather than leaving space for visitors to put out their stuff.
I set a code and test the room safe opens before putting anything into it. Yes, there was an incident once.
Make very clear ahead of time that I am a super light sleeper which means rooms far away from elevators and ice machines and discos
Your feedback is important for the safety and security of hotel guests. I do many of the same things!
Thanks
"Admittedly it depends on whether I’m traveling to"
Can't disagree with that, because I don't know what it means.
Trying to picture a Venn diagram of people who search for bedbugs, and people who tip housekeeping. Probably very little overlap. Bedbugs don't confine their habitat to beds. How thorough is this search? Do you tear off the blankets and sheets to get down to the mattress? Look under the bed? Maybe that's the purpose of this maneuver.
Spot on. Honestly, paranoia of some people is crazy. I just make sure everything works and any special requests has been fulfilled so I don't unpack before I'm sure to accept the room, and then make myself comfy.
I often wonder how do these people sleep at night when staying at a place without deadbolt.
"I often wonder how do these people sleep at night when staying at a place without deadbolt."
Having been someone whose place was broken into (Baton Rouge, 2007, thankfully when I wasn't there) the answer to that is "never."
Always wipe touch points and the remote with bleach wipes,, and tip two bucks per night. I can afford it and I sometimes get better service.
Check for exits on my way. I usually request to be near the stair exits.
Bedbugs.
Wipe things down.
General operation of everything.
I pray to the whatever god Jon and Seb does.
If the gods favor my stay, I will get a room with a broken light bulb and Jonny Seb will help me get 10,000 points for each broken bulb.
Also DND is a must. A slight knock during DND is another 50,000 points bonus.
That's how real bloggers make a living.
Get more points or bump vouchers than what you pay out of pocket. ;)
That Guardian piece about the woman who found a stranger hiding under her hotel bed in Tokyo really hit me. She only discovered him because of a strange smell, and when he crawled out, she was trapped in fear, screaming until he bolted. The police barely took a description and brushed it off, leaving her shaken and traumatized. Reading that makes habits like checking closets, under beds, and always using deadbolts feel a lot less...
That Guardian piece about the woman who found a stranger hiding under her hotel bed in Tokyo really hit me. She only discovered him because of a strange smell, and when he crawled out, she was trapped in fear, screaming until he bolted. The police barely took a description and brushed it off, leaving her shaken and traumatized. Reading that makes habits like checking closets, under beds, and always using deadbolts feel a lot less “paranoid” and a lot more like basic safety. Hotels should take guest security way more seriously.
Bed bugs is #1 for me, don't want those bastards home with me
+ be super nice to front desk because their job has to be rough at times
+ put a towel under the entry door if there’s a gap, which there almost always is.
+ turn off the TV
+ confirm there is bottled water in the room
+ reprogram thermostat (usually California) to enabled fan always on mode
You know you can get free water in most hotels by, you know, turning a tap?
@ Zebedee Jone -- "I drink a lot of water. I’m not a water diva, and I’m happy to drink tap water anywhere that it’s safe to do so. That being said, sometimes I end up in places where it’s not safe, and then you find that a hotel only gives you a couple of bottles per day."
I'm not sure I could have addressed that any more directly?
@Ben I actually never thought of getting water from the gym, probably because I never use hotel gyms. I tend to walk enough wherever I am that I don't think it's unnecessary. I am pickier on my water though, and I don't hydrate as well if the tap water tastes funky, which is often the case. So that's definitely a great tip for me.
Most of these are common sense things that I also practice. When I check the shower I also flush the toilet. That’s also something you don’t want to make a panicked phone call about.
For an old job I stayed at the Hilton SannJose Downtown for a daytime stay 4x a week. I once walked into a room where the toilet was literally shattered. Still have the photo of it because I was sure the front desk wouldn’t believe me!
I will utilize the bell person at Checkin to escort me to the room. That way I can check the thermostat , bathroom , etc so if there’s a problem they can take care of it.
I use Clorox sanitizing wipes to wipe the surfaces , bathroom , shower , etc. (same when I arrive to my seat; keep the meal tray extended for one minute to let the wipes dry fully )
...I will utilize the bell person at Checkin to escort me to the room. That way I can check the thermostat , bathroom , etc so if there’s a problem they can take care of it.
I use Clorox sanitizing wipes to wipe the surfaces , bathroom , shower , etc. (same when I arrive to my seat; keep the meal tray extended for one minute to let the wipes dry fully )
If there are glasses in room of which I’m a big fan of I run the sink water until it’s too hot to keep my hand under the the glasses a good rinse. Trust me you don’t wanna know what’s been in those.
The tip generosity depends on length of stay and especially if I was in a suite it is a way of paying it forward for the next guest to have a nice clean room.
Ben, the reason I use the alarm clock is that I'm a night owl who has a hard time waking up under the best of circumstances, and I'm also a heavy sleeper who has literally slept through fire alarms. I prefer to err on the side of caution especially if I'm tired or if my body clock is thrown off because of jetlag. So, I set my phone alarm, the physical alarm clock, AND request...
Ben, the reason I use the alarm clock is that I'm a night owl who has a hard time waking up under the best of circumstances, and I'm also a heavy sleeper who has literally slept through fire alarms. I prefer to err on the side of caution especially if I'm tired or if my body clock is thrown off because of jetlag. So, I set my phone alarm, the physical alarm clock, AND request a wake up call, if available. I usually stagger them a few minutes apart, but sometimes it helps me to have a backup, and a backup to the backup.
I'm almost everywhere with you. Exept tipping. That's a US thing. In Europe it is considered abusive which I totaly agree, in hotel's, restaurants, anywhere. Worst I have ever had (have) was in Brazil, in restaurants they add always 10% to your bill, unless you say no in advance.
About slaming doors I have no experience but I have experiences with noises during night, and I'm sure those neighbors still remember that night. (morning).
I always tip $20 per cleaning. I can afford it and it makes me feel good.
you are a Saint my good person ! Good on you !
I ALWAYS tip the housekeepers EVERY DAY, not just the end of my stay. And I know it helps makes the day for the housekeeper and they deserve it.
How nice of you to show gratitude to those that help you by throwing some money at them. Money is everything. Money can buy love and happiness.
Always check for bed bugs
I learn the light switches, to decide which side of the bed I want. Sometimes hotels have "clever" light controls, which favour one side of the bed.
I always check the room phone for a Ringer Switch and if it can't be put on "low" (or even if it can, perhaps) I unplug the phone.
If the room supplies tea/coffee supplies, I check for non-sugar sweetener, since I can't use sugar. In may places, the...
I learn the light switches, to decide which side of the bed I want. Sometimes hotels have "clever" light controls, which favour one side of the bed.
I always check the room phone for a Ringer Switch and if it can't be put on "low" (or even if it can, perhaps) I unplug the phone.
If the room supplies tea/coffee supplies, I check for non-sugar sweetener, since I can't use sugar. In may places, the hotel expects to provide these, but it's overlooked by housekeeping. 05:20 isn't the time to remedy this.
If you unplug the phone, I'd hope you'd remember to plug it back in upon your departure as this can create a possible safety/security for subsequent guests if housekeeping isn't monitoring this. I've had a personal experience in this regard, to even include law enforcement being called. Guess it's just another thing to add to the 'arrival room inspection list' !
No I make sure it's on display, in the wrong corner of the room, so housekeeping can't possibly miss it. I do this when I unplug it. You're right, it would not be good if it looked normal, but was secretly disconnected.
Don't slam doors and be quite in the hallway. Kids are the worst (and of course their parents). Locate nearest ice machine. Ensure proper toiletries are present/filled.
Ask/determine if there's guest laundry onsite. Google nearest grocery store and if needed laundromat. Ahead of checking in if a new property to me find nearest hiking/walking trails.
I agree with 10 of these. My only exception is on tipping. Tipping is completely out of hand. If the workers want a better paying job, then go get an education and learn a skill that offers more opportunities to earn more. Also I find that the majority of hotel maids are illegal and I personally don’t want to encourage them to come here and stay.
That's not always on option for a lot of people in the hospitality industry in North America. I cannot imagine what difference a person's citizenship is who cleans your room. News Flash: Dont see a lot of blond European Americans lining up to clean toilets in a hotel.
How do you "find" that the majority of hotel housekeepers are illegal? Do you ask for their papers?
How would some twit like you know the immigration status of a hotel maid, or do you just assume anyone speaking Spanish and/or cleaning a commercial property, is "illegal?"
On the room number: I write down my room number on a note in my phone. After a long trip with many different hotels, I forgot what my current room number was and got a sassy comment from the Ritz Carlton Melbourne when I wrote the wrong number on my breakfast bill (the nasty attitude was one of the many things wrong with that stay...).
I take my room number and use a Caesar shift to render it incomprehensible to anyone else before having it engraved on an otherwise ordinary rock which I then hide in a nearby park
If only more people closed their doors gently and avoided shouting/yelling/screaming in hallways (at hotels or elsewhere), the world would be a much better place...
I make sure to sit on the toilet very first thing. Gotta mark my territory.
I work in the travel industry and travel as much as you… my hotel routine also consists of many of your checks, but also:
1/checking if there is a smoke detector and if it’s working. Just last month at a Marriott-portfolio property in Denver, I looked up and saw the entire unit was removed from the ceiling. Immediate room change!
2/plug in my portable carbon monoxide detector - it’s half the size of a mobile...
I work in the travel industry and travel as much as you… my hotel routine also consists of many of your checks, but also:
1/checking if there is a smoke detector and if it’s working. Just last month at a Marriott-portfolio property in Denver, I looked up and saw the entire unit was removed from the ceiling. Immediate room change!
2/plug in my portable carbon monoxide detector - it’s half the size of a mobile phone and very easy to travel with, maybe $20 from Amazon and charges via USB.
3/check the map on the back of the door for fire escapes and then see if the map is actually accurate (and check the hallway to count doors to that exit door, just like on a plane). Some people I know snap a pic of it on their phones in case they can’t see it in darkness, etc. In New Orleans at an IHG-portfolio property, they had a completely wrong map on my room door and when I showed it to the front desk, they were beyond embarrassed.
These steps combined take less than 3 minutes in total.
I've read people putting towels on tv's to cover any potential hidden cameras.
As for me, I just check every nook and cranny right before I leave to make sure I didn't forget anything. But I really should check the bed when I get in just in case.
I bring aluminum foil and cover the television, telephone, the alarm clock and all lamps as they are the most likely to contain listening devices and cameras
It also pays to cover all the smoke/fire detection sensors with foil too, just to be on the safe side.
Good article—thanks! I will add one more tip: Turn the sink faucet on full blast to make sure the sink actually drains. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to call the front desk to send a maintenance person to unclog the sink at 11PM. Why don’t the housekeepers report this obvious problem (along with the loose toilet seat)?
I TOTALLY agree with the sink drainage and loose toilet seat. Have discovered those problems long after maintenance has gone home. And how about a toilet that won't stop running?