Here’s something that’s equally directed at hotel guests and hotel staff, and I’m curious if I’m alone in feeling this way…
In this post:
Why have hotel hallways become so messy?
Hotel hallways are shared spaces, though year after year I feel like they’re getting less tidy. This isn’t a new trend, really, but I think it’s a combination of factors that are contributing to this decline. I’d attribute it to the general reduction in standards at many hotels, reduced hotel staffing, non-daily housekeeping, and also us as humans just being less considerate of others.
I feel like back in the day, the only thing you’d find in hotel hallways was the housekeeping carts (assuming it’s not a hotel where they bring those into the rooms). However, over time, I’m noticing more and more clutter in hallways:
- When it comes to guests, you see them leaving room service carts or trays in the hallway, or in many cases empty takeout containers or trash
- When it comes to hotel staff (especially at more limited service properties), I increasingly see them leaving big bags of used sheets and towels in the hallways, rather than placing them somewhere not in public view… among other things
Heck, during a recent stay at the airside Holiday Inn Express Delhi Airport, the hotel just stored (kind of gross looking) mattresses in the hallway. Nice.
If you ask me, hotel staff should aspire to have hallways looking as neat and clean as possible. Admittedly I get the problem — management probably expects more and more from staff, and sets unrealistic expectations.
Meanwhile guests shouldn’t treat hotel hallways as some place to dispose of things that they don’t want in their room. Don’t like the smell of your takeout leftovers? I can assure you others don’t look forward to smelling them either!
When is it acceptable to leave something in hotel hallways?
As a hotel guest, is it ever acceptable to place something outside of your room? Personally, I think there’s one specific instance where it’s maybe okay. If you’re staying at a hotel with room service, I think it’s fine to place the cart or tray in the hallway, but only if you call room service and tell them you’ve done that, so they can collect it. It just seems more efficient than requiring them to knock, having another unnecessary interaction, etc.
However, I’m even on the fence about that because I’d say that at many hotels, room service is just too short staffed, and they might not come around to collect things for hours. So I’d feel better about doing this at a Four Seasons than at a 1,000-room hotel in Times Square… but that’s just me.
Bottom line
I feel like we’ve seen a slow and steady trend whereby hotel hallways are getting less and less clean by the year. This partly comes in the form of hotel housekeeping just dumping more stuff there, but it also comes down to guests just leaving things outside their rooms that they no longer want, and hotel staff not really cleaning up after people.
Has anyone else noticed this hotel hallway trend? When do you think it’s okay to leave stuff in hotel hallways?
It would be interesting to see what the fire department has to say about evacuation routes being partially blocked with possibly combustable items. Just saying ………
I hate when people leave trash in the hallway. Just walk it down to the trash bin by the elevator. Very simple.
However...I also hate when the trash bins by the elevator are overflowing. It seems to me that when hotels stopped most housekeeping that they should expect the trash bins by the elevator would need to be emptied more often. Also very simple.
Ok…easy one here…am a flight attendant…I see a lot. After the pandemic the trash cans have become non existent in most hallways…usually by the elevator. Most hotels ask that you place room service trays/carts in the hallway after use. I only fly domestic so can’t account for mattresses in the hallway…never seen that…most likely a bed bug issue over their lunch break. Been a flight attendant for 35 years with many carriers…seen it all
Another data point on how society has devolved, despite the huge advances in technology. I see this behavior in the 4 star and 5 star hotels. I hate to think what the condition of their rooms when these people check out.
Of course hotels have gotten lazy about cleaning up the mess.
This is just another example of cost cutting and customers putting it on themselves.
Back in the day you left your room service or trash by the door and it used to be gone within an hour or two.
How long does it last at a Four Seasons today? I bet not very.
Stop accepting crappier and crappier service and value from these chains.
PSA: Will Tim Dunn and his attention seeking UK alter ego leave the hallway immediately.
It's absolutely not okay to put trash in the hallway. Take out food can easily be repacked so it doesn't smell. I regularly do this, then put it in the trash can and never had any issues with smell, despite me going for quite aromatic foods (curries, buffalo wings and whatnot).
That being said, any decent hotel has someone patroling the corridors in regular intervals for exactly this issues. I once had a person across...
It's absolutely not okay to put trash in the hallway. Take out food can easily be repacked so it doesn't smell. I regularly do this, then put it in the trash can and never had any issues with smell, despite me going for quite aromatic foods (curries, buffalo wings and whatnot).
That being said, any decent hotel has someone patroling the corridors in regular intervals for exactly this issues. I once had a person across the corridor put their room service tray out and it stayed there all night, well over 12 hours. That's also absolutely unacceptable.
Planning a stay at the HIE Delhi Airport and was super interested in how it works? Apparently you need a security escort, and can't leave your room? Is this true?
@ Vince -- I saw claims of that as well prior to my stay, but that's not the case. You can freely roam in and out of the terminal (of course the international transit portion of the terminal, assuming that's the wing of the hotel you're staying in).
Sure, mattresses in the hallways or other items left by the hotel would be considered wrong.
But really, room service trays and tables? Would do you expect? I mean, ultimately it is up to the hotel to properly staff their hotels to remove these items from hallways every few hours. If not, that's on the hotel.
As to takeaway bags, etc. Simple solution...start designing hotels to have trash chutes and encourage guests to...
Sure, mattresses in the hallways or other items left by the hotel would be considered wrong.
But really, room service trays and tables? Would do you expect? I mean, ultimately it is up to the hotel to properly staff their hotels to remove these items from hallways every few hours. If not, that's on the hotel.
As to takeaway bags, etc. Simple solution...start designing hotels to have trash chutes and encourage guests to dispose of items in them. Like large condo or apartment buildings. Otherwise, again, that's on the hotel to keep the halls clear.
This is, really, a rather silly post.
"Trash chutes" will be problematic.
Not all guests will have the decency to bag their thrash or wrap it up in a cleaner way.
Some will just dump it in like that and over time, the thrash chute becomes smelly and disgusting
I expect that when I call room service for tray collection, someone will come within 10 minutes so guests don't need to put these in the corridor. Most at least half-decent hotels manage that with no issues yet some guests still put the trays out.
I always leave room service trays right outside the room. Many hotels have it in their instructions. If I am not having my room cleaned - and I have takeout garbage - I will leave it in the hall.
Hotels should be patrolling the halls every so often for security. Have them pick up the trash along the way. More scary when you see items in the hall for a day or more.
I applaud the flawless execution on rage bait post; I’m happily taking the bait!
1) Great observation - there absolutely has been a trend of more garbage in hotel hallways (even somewhat high-end hotels), and I haven’t seen this commented on elsewhere.
2) The only things that should be put in hotel hallways are used room service trays/carts, but you shouldn’t need to call to have it collected; the hotel should have enough staff...
I applaud the flawless execution on rage bait post; I’m happily taking the bait!
1) Great observation - there absolutely has been a trend of more garbage in hotel hallways (even somewhat high-end hotels), and I haven’t seen this commented on elsewhere.
2) The only things that should be put in hotel hallways are used room service trays/carts, but you shouldn’t need to call to have it collected; the hotel should have enough staff wandering the hallways that these wouldn’t stay outside a given room for long enough for many guests to see them.
Perhaps a walk through the stairwell exits and see how the fire exits are blocked. Happens all over the world. Brian
They put the world's smallest trash cans in hotel rooms and have mostly removed them from hallways and even elevator wells, so I'm leaving my trash in the hallway because that's obviously what hotels want
Many hotels TELL YOU TO leave trays, trash bags, used sheets, etc in the hall outside.
As such, it's incumbent upon THEM to patrol the hallways and keep them tidy. It's hardly an arduous (t)ask for someone to walk the halls every half hour, or at least ever hour if you must.
Totally agree. I once stayed at the Palmer Hilton Hotel in Chicago. It was most disconcerting to enter my room with a room service meal tray left outside the room next door (with no cover for the leftover food that was visible). I complained to reception, who said they would deal with it immediately. Next morning it was still there. I complained again to reception. When I came back to the hotel the following evening,...
Totally agree. I once stayed at the Palmer Hilton Hotel in Chicago. It was most disconcerting to enter my room with a room service meal tray left outside the room next door (with no cover for the leftover food that was visible). I complained to reception, who said they would deal with it immediately. Next morning it was still there. I complained again to reception. When I came back to the hotel the following evening, it was still there (despite my room having been made up and cleaned, so hotel staff must have seen the room service tray). I complained again, this time to Hilton Honors. I received a call the next day from Hilton Honors telling me that the tray had been removed. When I returned to my room that evening, the tray was still there! I complained again but to no avail. The tray was still there and smelling awfully when I checked out almost 4 days after I had checked in.
You should have put it in your room.
Put it in an elevator!
Or stop being a weirdo for 4 days and just drop it off at breakfast when you down in the morning.
Another related topic is "Why do people order room service?" Serious question. I understand if you are on a business trip and want to work in your room it is convenient. I just find eating in hotel rooms not very pleasant, especially if there is no dedicated table to use. Dripping food on a laptop because they have to share the tiny desk is also not appealing. Most large cities have lots of options available...
Another related topic is "Why do people order room service?" Serious question. I understand if you are on a business trip and want to work in your room it is convenient. I just find eating in hotel rooms not very pleasant, especially if there is no dedicated table to use. Dripping food on a laptop because they have to share the tiny desk is also not appealing. Most large cities have lots of options available by just stepping out the door and walking five minutes. It is the equivalent of waiting in a drive through with fifteen cars ahead of you instead of parking and walking into the empty counter to place your order.
It sounds like you have answered your own question.
You really need this explained to you, or did you just wish to whine about acceptable dining services?
In the event of the former: last month I arrived into Jakarta at 9:30pm after eating nothing but an onboard veggie-wrap half a day prior. By the time I'm checked into room, it's 11pm and I'm starving. You think I wanted to go walk the streets at damn near midnight, in a place I'd never been and...
You really need this explained to you, or did you just wish to whine about acceptable dining services?
In the event of the former: last month I arrived into Jakarta at 9:30pm after eating nothing but an onboard veggie-wrap half a day prior. By the time I'm checked into room, it's 11pm and I'm starving. You think I wanted to go walk the streets at damn near midnight, in a place I'd never been and knew nothing about, looking for places that were probably long-since closed?
When I could instead open up a menu, and see 30+ large entrees all under $20USD, delivered right to my room (which is exactly what I did)?
Jakarta has many more places worth visiting late at night than places to avoid. Night markets have great food, and there’s a vibrant street food scene as well, except for in the SCBD where it’s not allowed (think R-C Pacific Place).
Avoid Ciliwung (a slum) and the Ancol Port Area.
Next time you go to a new city you should spend five minutes reading up on it. The room service sounds great but you missed...
Jakarta has many more places worth visiting late at night than places to avoid. Night markets have great food, and there’s a vibrant street food scene as well, except for in the SCBD where it’s not allowed (think R-C Pacific Place).
Avoid Ciliwung (a slum) and the Ancol Port Area.
Next time you go to a new city you should spend five minutes reading up on it. The room service sounds great but you missed out on a great immersive experience. Any front desk agent or concierge could have set you up quickly for a great dinner.
Yes. If I am on leisure travel. If I open my laptop and need to answer 20 emails and just want something decent to eat while winding down, room service works beautifully.
Can’t Stans slobs that leave food and drink outside rooms. Walk to the closest garbage can. Disgusting.
I've always understood that you are SUPPOSED to put your room service tray or cart outside the room when you are finished. In the past I left a cart in my room with the food obviously all consumed expecting them to remove it when they cleaned the room. Nope, because it was in in the room, they left it and cleaned the entire room around it. I pushed it into the hallway and it was gone in minutes.
You should call room service when you do this and advise them you’re done with the service cart. They don’t have their staff roaming the halls 24/7 just in case.
Sure, but why wouldn't they take it when they cleaned the room? Again, my understanding is you're supposed to put it outside the room.
"Sure, but why wouldn't they take it when they cleaned the room?"
Because in many (all?) hotels (mostly in the USA that I've seen, but I've also seen it in southern Africa), housekeeping and dining (which includes restaurant and room service) are two different departments/worlds, and never the twain shall meet. Housekeeping will never touch a thing room service delivered and that a guest has left (including a water glass), and room service, if entering...
"Sure, but why wouldn't they take it when they cleaned the room?"
Because in many (all?) hotels (mostly in the USA that I've seen, but I've also seen it in southern Africa), housekeeping and dining (which includes restaurant and room service) are two different departments/worlds, and never the twain shall meet. Housekeeping will never touch a thing room service delivered and that a guest has left (including a water glass), and room service, if entering an empty room to pick up leftover dishes, would never dream of fluffing a pillow or dropping off an extra bar of soap.
Not ideal in terms of "team playmanship," but there we have it.
At one Park Hyatt, we left the room service breakfast in the room on the final day, since we were going out for an event. When we returned 4 hours later, everything was gone, like breakfast never took place. And yet, housekeeping wasn't done since we were checking out.
We even had a leftover pastry that we wrapped up and left away from the rest of the cart. They somehow managed to find that and take it away. A good eye to detail, so much for my snack for later.
Really?
No. It’s a figment of your imagination.
Yep I have left a rubbish bin with takeaway remnants in a plastic bag in the hallway so it doesn't stink out the room. Why? Because rooms don't get serviced for days on end now and I don't want a korma aroma in my rooma for 48 hours.
India… rolleyes
Holiday Inn Express Delhi Airport
I think that explains it
Based on my own trips, I'd say most hotels have reduced their staffing to levels we wouldn't have thought of in pre-pandemic days. Also, post-pandemic, some people really lost the ability to distinguish between contexts, so they treat every place (e.g.: school, office, etc.) as if it were one's own private home or a mere extension of it.
Hotel hallways? You should see cruise ship corridors!!
That and buffets are the two reasons why I'm yet to consider ever getting on a cruise ship.
I went on a cruise once. Once.
Lemme guess... Carnival Triumph... February 2013?