We all have different habits when staying in hotels, including involving things like housekeeping. I figured I’d share my general approach with hotel housekeeping, and I’m curious to hear how the habits of OMAAT readers compare. I realize people have greatly varying approaches here…
In this post:
I always have the “do not disturb” sign on
When I stay in a hotel, I typically have the “do not disturb” sign on from the moment I check-in until the moment I check-out. The only exception is that I might not put it on the day of arrival, if I think a welcome amenity may be coming.
Why do I religiously use the do not disturb sign? Because if I need something I’ll ask for it. I’ve had way too many hotel staff knock once and open the door a second later, and I’ve had way too many unnecessary interactions from people knocking on the door (like the housekeeping manager checking to see if everything is okay in the room — I’m sure it’s well intentioned, but I’ll let the hotel know if there’s an issue).
While not specific to housekeeping, I also always have the deadbolt out when in the room. This is something all travelers should do for safety… period.
If I’d like housekeeping, I explicitly ask for it
Since I have the “do not disturb” sign on during most of my hotel stays, my approach is always that I call housekeeping when I’d like my room serviced:
- Since I typically work when I travel, I spend more time in my hotel room than the average person
- When I am ready to leave my hotel room, I’ll typically call housekeeping, and explain that I’m leaving the room for X amount of time, and would appreciate if the room could be cleaned
- I try to be realistic with my expectations; if I’m not staying at a luxury hotel and if the hotel has a lot of guests checking in and out, I recognize that between 11AM and 3PM they might not be available immediately (since the priority is cleaning rooms for guests checking in)
- I do the same thing for turndown service (for hotels that offer it), where I’ll call housekeeping when I get ready to leave for dinner, and ask them to provide turndown service
I always assumed that this is what most people did, but I’m starting to realize that maybe I’m in the minority. It seems that a lot of people don’t use the “do not disturb” sign as much, and wait for housekeeping to knock.
Personally, that system seems inefficient to me. I imagine when housekeeping knocks on doors, a large percentage of those guests aren’t ready to have their rooms cleaned at the moment, and I would guess in some situations housekeeping has to knock on rooms several times before they’re ready to have their rooms cleaned.
That brings me to my next point…
I’ll leave the room when housekeeping is there
Again, I’m not sure if others feel similarly to me, but I never want to be in the room when housekeeping is there. Why?
- If I were a housekeeper, I wouldn’t want someone watching me do my job, so I don’t want to do that to others
- In this era a lot more people are concerned about personal space, and for that matter it can be awkward to have someone cleaning around you in tight quarters
- Last but most certainly not least, I’m an introvert, and I’ll go long ways to avoid social interaction (I’m just being honest!)
This is another reason I use the “do not disturb” sign, and request for housekeeping to show up at a certain time. The only catch is that sometimes I’ll return to my room and find that housekeeping is still there, in which case I’ll just leave for a bit longer and return when they’re done.
I don’t always want housekeeping
I think the last point to make is that I often just don’t request daily housekeeping at hotels that offer it. Truth be told, at more moderately priced hotels, I’ll typically only ask for housekeeping every two or three days, because it’s not like I’m making a huge mess.
Usually when I’m staying at a luxury hotel, it’s a different story. Super nice hotels are more of an “experience,” and part of that is always having a clean space. Housekeeping at luxury hotels often also puts more effort into room service. For example, at Four Seasons properties, they’ll typically put a cleaning cloth next to a pair of glasses or a laptop.
Meanwhile at Airelles properties, they’ll typically leave a different gift with turndown service every night.
Besides, who doesn’t like their favorite toiletries being refilled? 😉
Bottom line
We all have different habits in life, and obviously that extends to hotel housekeeping. I always use the “do not disturb” sign, and always call to request housekeeping if I want it. I just find that to be the easiest and most efficient for all parties involved.
I had assumed that many people take a similar approach, but I’m not sure if that’s the case.
So I’m curious to hear from OMAAT readers — what are your habits when it comes to hotel housekeeping?
I too always have the DND sign on when in the room, but will call housekeeping to have them clean the room while I'm down for breakfast. This is easy in Asia where they'll often be knocking on your door seconds after speaking with housekeeping, in Europe, not so much. I'm exceptionally neat, but still like to come back to a freshly cleaned room. There is nothing worse than coming back to your room at...
I too always have the DND sign on when in the room, but will call housekeeping to have them clean the room while I'm down for breakfast. This is easy in Asia where they'll often be knocking on your door seconds after speaking with housekeeping, in Europe, not so much. I'm exceptionally neat, but still like to come back to a freshly cleaned room. There is nothing worse than coming back to your room at 3pm after a busy day working, looking to rest and relax, only to find they haven't cleaned your room yet. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, its a bummer...
The only reason I DND is so they won't make the bed. I hate that I have to pull the covers off and then tuck the bottom sheet back in. Effectively making the bed again. I've asked but have never been able to get housekeeping to leave it loose. There was even a scene in Seinfeld about it. Turn down service I offer them, Give me double the chocolates and you don't have to do it. Win win
I'm pretty much the same way. I'm mostly a neat freak especially when staying alone, so I dont need the housekeeping. My husband is a bit more of a, how should we say it - slob. He is a wonderful cook but god help him he makes messes. Also when you start staying in more hotels with "junior", i'm thinking you might get housekeeping way more. Kids just tend to be um messy. (even the ones that become amazing neat freak adults)
second point - kiddos pick up germs from EVERYWHERE, having housekeeping help fight the disinfectant front is helpful.
It's sometimes unbelievable to me how aggressive housekeeping is in the US, even at fairly nice hotels. Keep relearning this lesson every time I travel away and come back. Even at decent properties I'll often get a bang on the door at 9am speculatively asking if I've left or when I'm checking out, even if I have a late checkout. It's often impossible to schedule when "later" you'd like them to come back and they'll...
It's sometimes unbelievable to me how aggressive housekeeping is in the US, even at fairly nice hotels. Keep relearning this lesson every time I travel away and come back. Even at decent properties I'll often get a bang on the door at 9am speculatively asking if I've left or when I'm checking out, even if I have a late checkout. It's often impossible to schedule when "later" you'd like them to come back and they'll just circle back every half hour to check. Since then have also adopted the DND sign. For whatever reason, I find this just isn't often necessary in hotels in Europe/Asia and cleaning just seems to blend into my daily routine. Or, when it doesn't, generally isn't done in a way which makes me feel like SWAT is about the enter the room.
Easy explanation. The workload for housekeeping is too much here in the states.
Personally I think expecting housekeeping to bend to your specific time window for cleaning your room is rather selfish and rude. They make regular rounds in a well thought out route. Asking to disrupt this is just creating a hassle.
For short 2-3 night stays I'll have DND up the entire time, and if I need more coffee or whatever I'll ask for it. In Asia I'll only have DND when I actually don't want...
Personally I think expecting housekeeping to bend to your specific time window for cleaning your room is rather selfish and rude. They make regular rounds in a well thought out route. Asking to disrupt this is just creating a hassle.
For short 2-3 night stays I'll have DND up the entire time, and if I need more coffee or whatever I'll ask for it. In Asia I'll only have DND when I actually don't want to be disturbed, like when I go to bed until after I eat breakfast, or if I'm occupied with something...I'm less concerned about intrusions there.
You are definitely in the minority - but the average traveler (business or leisure) would generally be out the whole day at the office or sight seeing so they know the housekeeping will be done then.
If the hotel wants to convince me not to use daily housekeeping then they need to offer me something to do that. This reminds me of the so-called green initiatives. If you want to have a sign for it, fine, but don't over do it and if you really want people to do it then offer them something. These kinds of things often sound like the customer helping them to control their overhead costs.
I too use the Do Not Disturb card the whole entirety of my stay. I don't need to have my towels and sheets changed everyday. I may ask housekeeping for more towels and have the trash removed. I treat my room as I would my own house at home. And i still leave a significant tip even though I didn't have my room serviced during my stay.
I would have written the same as you.
Depends on the hotel, but in general:
Asia - always
Middle East - always
Europe - most of the time
US - never (DND)
Latin America - most of the time
Lot of people on here sound like the ones to drive around in their car by themselves with a mask on . I have a trans con tomorrow and thinking about some of the mentally unstable on here being in my flight.
DND!
But my favorite is people that complain about how messy their room is. Well, why did you make such a mess?
Just to add clarification. In the United States, nearly all housekeepers get paid by the room. I can’t speak for other countries, although I understand that’s true in other places, as well.
In the case of the US, if you keep your DND sign up most of the day, you’re taking work away from someone. Likely someone relatively low paid.
It is not the responsibility of hotel guests to ensure that some of the hotel’s employees are able to clean enough rooms to earn a comfortable wage.
As soon as I arrive in my room I clean the nightstand -phone- bathroom doorknobs lightswitches etc etc .
The do not disturb sign is aways on the outside of my room.
I do not want housekeeing in my room.
Once I need fresh towels or have trash I bring it out in the hallway where housekeeping is in general cleaning the other rooms and I pay them a tip for NOT...
As soon as I arrive in my room I clean the nightstand -phone- bathroom doorknobs lightswitches etc etc .
The do not disturb sign is aways on the outside of my room.
I do not want housekeeing in my room.
Once I need fresh towels or have trash I bring it out in the hallway where housekeeping is in general cleaning the other rooms and I pay them a tip for NOT coming in my room.
I do not want anyone touching my own pillow.
The only time I used housekeeping was on a cruise but only after I put my own pillow in a clean plastic bag in my suitcase every morning.
I am very picky.
You sound like a very fun person to travel with.
Picky? You are totally paranoid.
Paranoid Neat Freak yes, but you have a few good takeaways!
To each his own.
I'm the same with all of these! I stayed at a hotel once in Amsterdam where they wouldn't allow me to skip housekeeping for a day (they said they needed to check in on the room "for my safety"). I had stayed at that hotel 5 times before, but now just stay at the Waldorf Amsterdam instead as I like my privacy (and since I work remotely, will sometimes have my laptop and sensitive documents out).
Even with an affixed do not disturb sign, you still get staff knocking. The best hotels are the newer upscale and luxury hotels with electronic indicators requesting housekeeping or requesting to be left alone and not disturbed.
I always, always try to use everything in the room. The pens, the toiletries, the coffee, tea, water, every towel, the robes, slippers, etc. I figure there is some bean counter surveying how often items are used....
Even with an affixed do not disturb sign, you still get staff knocking. The best hotels are the newer upscale and luxury hotels with electronic indicators requesting housekeeping or requesting to be left alone and not disturbed.
I always, always try to use everything in the room. The pens, the toiletries, the coffee, tea, water, every towel, the robes, slippers, etc. I figure there is some bean counter surveying how often items are used. So, if robes are never worn or the mouthwash never used, they'll remove it on the basis that it costs too much to provide something that is never used. If I get a newspaper, I flip through it and then toss it in the trash.
Re: laptop cleaning cloth
Surprised to learn you’ll leave your laptop out while you’re up and about.
Why not? The safes are a joke. Anyone who wants to get into the safe can do it. You're almost better off hiding the laptop between layers of clothes and under dirty underwear. Sometimes I do that and then put a small piece of clear tape on the bag as a seal.
I’m exactly the same as you except for one difference. At check-in I schedule which days I want housekeeping, if any, usually every three or four days. The front desk can enter it in the system at the beginning of the stay. This help them schedule the right number of housekeepers and helps with room assignments the morning of.
Also on the day of check-out, I strip the bed, and put trash, recycling and linen...
I’m exactly the same as you except for one difference. At check-in I schedule which days I want housekeeping, if any, usually every three or four days. The front desk can enter it in the system at the beginning of the stay. This help them schedule the right number of housekeepers and helps with room assignments the morning of.
Also on the day of check-out, I strip the bed, and put trash, recycling and linen in separate piles right inside the door. And I also never forget to remove the “do not disturb” sign when I’m checking out.
I'm in pretty much the same boat. The only thing I need housekeeping for during a stay is to empty my trashcan. DND is on my door from when I check in to when I check out
On management checking the room - if DND is up too long, sometimes people are found dead in their room - ie Bob Saget.
So now we know these blog posts are being written in underwear or less...
and?
I think you are being a little extreme. Unless you are writing this blog in your underwear or nude, I don't see any reason to have the DND sign up. When the house keeper comes - just take a break and walk out the room. The house keeper isn't going to distrub your computer - if it is on.
The only thing I do when leaving the room for the day is to put everything...
I think you are being a little extreme. Unless you are writing this blog in your underwear or nude, I don't see any reason to have the DND sign up. When the house keeper comes - just take a break and walk out the room. The house keeper isn't going to distrub your computer - if it is on.
The only thing I do when leaving the room for the day is to put everything away in closet, drawers, suitcase, and put my bathroom items in a drawer. I like fresh towels and amenities.
How about the ubiquitous note about not changing towels if they're hung up etc.... mine are hung up but always get changed anyway. I don't get it.
I'm similar to Ben. DND sign almost always up unless I'm awaiting room service or it's the day I've requested housekeeping while I'm out -- which is at most every other day, even when traveling with my spouse we barely fill the trash can after two days and sometimes all we ask for is to have the trash emptied and fresh towels on the second day. For anything five days or longer, then I do want a complete clean every third day usually.
When I check in, I always request "No room service" and also put the sign out when I leave the room @ 8 for 12 hours excursion. I normally stay up to 10 days and do not eat in the room. No trash and food leftover in the room. Less work for housekeeping staff.
It is easy to understand that some facilities pay their housekeeping staff per cleaned room. Post Covid, hotels in Washinton,...
When I check in, I always request "No room service" and also put the sign out when I leave the room @ 8 for 12 hours excursion. I normally stay up to 10 days and do not eat in the room. No trash and food leftover in the room. Less work for housekeeping staff.
It is easy to understand that some facilities pay their housekeeping staff per cleaned room. Post Covid, hotels in Washinton, DC and Hawaii did not recall most workers back. Hilton in Washinton, DC paid $27/hr plus benefits per employee. Hotels in tropical weather areas experience more bugs issues. I have never seen bigger roaches elsewhere than in Hawaii. When I lived on campus dorm, I experienced roach issue. I was told never leave food in open space. Leave trash in the hallways may not help as insects run from rooms to rooms and cause a big infestation. You must tie the trash bag air tight to prevent odors and access for insects to crawl around.
Hyatt in Sydney has a huge open space laundry area in the back. More than a decade ago, I saw more than ten laundry carriers full of towels and sheets waiting to be cleaned. The carriers were long and tall. I was surprised until I learned that they changed linens twice a day. Australia and CA sit on the desert and they wasted so much water. Those who over use water, which is non recycled, must curb their wasteful life choice.
When you live among the locals in third world countries, you appreciate what you have here and not indulge yourself wasting precious natural resources. I guess it only applies to less than a fifth of your readers. We should leave the planet in a better condition for future generations than when we found it.0
An infamous blog(gers) would always bait the hotel with DND.
Any slight sound would trigger the extortion attempt demanding free night or insane amount of points.
A DND but no wake up call would also do the trick.
A botched attempt did get him kicked out of an island but that didn't stop him from blackmailing hotels and airlines.
DND not used permanently, during the day if I need a nap then yes, when I return in the evening yes until I get back from breakfast/brunch, if working no. I will leave the room if they come while I am there and return later. I’ve never called and asked for my room to be serviced, I will take extra towels from the trolleys in the corridor if needed, not a fan of food smells...
DND not used permanently, during the day if I need a nap then yes, when I return in the evening yes until I get back from breakfast/brunch, if working no. I will leave the room if they come while I am there and return later. I’ve never called and asked for my room to be serviced, I will take extra towels from the trolleys in the corridor if needed, not a fan of food smells were I sleep so don’t usually have room service. Never call for turndown as I will be out of the room and again if they arrive I will leave.
Don't take towels off the carts. The poor housekeeper will be short when it comes time for another guest's room. If you need towels, call and ask for them.
@FNT. Appreciate the thought about the housekeeper, but wrong. The more self sufficient a guest is, less work for staff (in general).
Not sure why you think safes are a joke. Yes, security can access if needed, but housekeeping can’t (again, in general).
I've seen safes that aren't even locked down.
Should have been clear, I don’t just take them I ask and never have they refused, usually the linen cupboards are at the end of each corridor so I doubt it’s a major incident.
I was a Royal Ambassador back when one of the perks included free mini bar. At the IC Thalasso in Bora Bora, we had a $99 bottle of champagne (at least that is what they charged) every morning so the DND sign was not put up. Same at numerous other ICs I stayed at that year. Nowadays post covid, housekeeping is not offered everyday at many hotels.
Simply don't understand the need for housekeeping under 10 days.
Towels and sheets should be washed weekly.
Whether you stay for 2 nights or 10 nights, the housekeeper almost certainly doesn't get more than 30-35 minutes -- maybe 40 minutes -- to clean the room for the next guest. She (most of the time) won't have sufficient time to properly clean a room that's been untouched for 10 days. Surfaces, fixtures, dust, vacuuming, etc. And at extended-stay hotels, it's even more of an issue because you have dishwares, applicanes, etc.
Exactly!
Fresh towels? At home, do you change your towels daily?
I put the sign on when we're in the room, and normally take the sign off when we're ready for housekeeping and head out for a bit. Whenever we come back for a rest, we put the sign back up and leave it out until the next day whether we're in the room or not.
We generally ask for no turn down during our stay because it is just an annoyance to have someone...
I put the sign on when we're in the room, and normally take the sign off when we're ready for housekeeping and head out for a bit. Whenever we come back for a rest, we put the sign back up and leave it out until the next day whether we're in the room or not.
We generally ask for no turn down during our stay because it is just an annoyance to have someone come into the room again, it means we may miss mini gifts...but rather privacy than that.
One thing that I tend to do that I think it weird compared to most people is that I tend to pack up my suitcase again and lock it before leaving the room for the day, there's generally nothing valuable in the suitcase but I just feel it's a little nicer and neater.
Also always leave a tip for the housekeeper with a little note to say thanks.
Sure, here's a revised version of your story that sounds more natural:
---
One time my friend and I went on a trip to Sydney, we stayed out all night and didn’t get back to the hotel until the next morning. We slept in until late afternoon, completely forgetting to put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. Later, the housekeepers came by, they probably didn’t expect anyone to still be in the room...
Sure, here's a revised version of your story that sounds more natural:
---
One time my friend and I went on a trip to Sydney, we stayed out all night and didn’t get back to the hotel until the next morning. We slept in until late afternoon, completely forgetting to put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. Later, the housekeepers came by, they probably didn’t expect anyone to still be in the room at that time, so they knocked a couple of times and then just opened the door and started pushing the cleaning cart into our room. We were already half-awake but still in bed, and when they came in and saw us they were shocked! I guess the two cleaning ladies thought we were still asleep and I heard one of them whispering, "Out! out! out!" and quickly push the cart back out while chuckling to themselves.
When in room DND is always on. Not just for work, one does not want to be surprised when in the bathroom, having a nap etc...
I usually like to have the room cleaned though for the trash to be removed. And of course in special hotels it is nice to receive the small gifts/surprises...
In the last years I have noticed a decline in the quality of room cleaning, worldwide, and only really top hotels are keeping the level high as usual.
I usually put DND in the morning until I'm ready to leave the hotel. If the room is already made up once I return, I won't put the sign again since I don't expect anybody to still come by.
A lot of hotels see the sign as "don't knock, but call the phone anytime", which is really annoying if you want to take a nap in the afternoon. The last thing I want with...
I usually put DND in the morning until I'm ready to leave the hotel. If the room is already made up once I return, I won't put the sign again since I don't expect anybody to still come by.
A lot of hotels see the sign as "don't knock, but call the phone anytime", which is really annoying if you want to take a nap in the afternoon. The last thing I want with the DND sign out, is somebody calling to ask if I still need housekeeping.
In general, I request housekeeping at least every two days.
What also bothers me quite a bit is that in recent years, more and more (mid-level) hotels already ask during check-in if you need housekeeping and if so, at which time.
On the one hand, a main point of vacation for me is not having to schedule the day ahead and just do whatever I like at that moment. That's ruined with a fixed housekeeping appointment.
On the other hand, this also puts pressure on the guest to skip housekeeping ("do you need housekeeping?" on check-in feels much more like "do we really need to do that? you won't need it, right?").
Some hotels are getting nervous if guest is keeping DND all the time. I had it couple of times in USA. Last time, Hilton Guam, where housekeeping left me a note to contact reception, because they couldn't clean my room. Reception of course knew nothing about it.
I was also scolded in Switzerland by rude hotel owner, who told me, I'm taking away jobs from local people, because they are paid per cleaned room. I...
Some hotels are getting nervous if guest is keeping DND all the time. I had it couple of times in USA. Last time, Hilton Guam, where housekeeping left me a note to contact reception, because they couldn't clean my room. Reception of course knew nothing about it.
I was also scolded in Switzerland by rude hotel owner, who told me, I'm taking away jobs from local people, because they are paid per cleaned room. I left first thing in the morning. It would be stupid to leave at night.
Otherwise, definitely keep DND and bolt on. I had member of staff trying to enter my room in Waldorf, probably thinking it's unoccupied.
If that person is really the owner, I would have yelled back it's not me who is taking away the local jobs, it's your cheap arse that refuses to pay them enough.
I often work from my hotel room so I put the sign up. Or even the weekends I do hiking for 3-4 hours in the morning and spend my afternoon just relaxing binge watching old Law and Order episodes. I can always get extra toiletries from the front desk of housekeeping. Ditto clean towels.
I just had an experience with this topic staying at the Grand Hyatt in Taipei. I also typically leave the DND light on, but that didn't stop housekeeping from calling the room several times and asking if I wanted the room serviced. That was rather annoying as a couple times I was in the middle of a work call and once I was sleeping. I left feedback on the post stay survey that I was emailed and hotel staff said they would address it with housekeeping staff.
With GH Taipei...who came in probably wasn't actually the staff but some resident ghost that couldn't find their way to the next life given that GH Taipei is one of the most haunted properties.... :D
They probably called because guests accidentally hit that button and then complain to management that housekeeping never serviced the room. At nice hotels in Asia, they pride themselves on providing two daily services. In some countries, it may actually offend their service-orientated culture if you decline housekeeping.
I do not blame families for wanting to save on expenses by buying and bringing their own food from supermarkets. Some resorts that are popular with families, should have basic housekeeping, removing and emptying the trash, done everyday. This may help with insect infestation and control. When we stayed at the Hilton on the Big Island, we saw large cockroaches on the walls in the hallways and smaller bugs in our room around the trash...
I do not blame families for wanting to save on expenses by buying and bringing their own food from supermarkets. Some resorts that are popular with families, should have basic housekeeping, removing and emptying the trash, done everyday. This may help with insect infestation and control. When we stayed at the Hilton on the Big Island, we saw large cockroaches on the walls in the hallways and smaller bugs in our room around the trash can. Apparently the little buggers like Michelob light. We started putting the trash can outside the door every night. We met a family that was having the same problem. They started hanging their food in a bag from a hanger in their closet. They said that they felt like they were camping where they hang their food in the trees in case of bears.
The night before we left, we washed and packed all of clothes and inspected/cleaned the inside of our luggage. Not exactly how you want to spend your last night at a resort before you bug out.
If I’m traveling by myself for work, I’m like you. DND on and I’ll skip housekeeping and call down if I need more towels or toiletries. If we’re traveling as a family, will definitely opt for daily housekeeping. It’s the #1 reason why P2 doesn’t like staying at an AirBnB or similar. I’m curious if things will change for you once you start traveling with Miles more often!
(And on a related note, I’m curious...
If I’m traveling by myself for work, I’m like you. DND on and I’ll skip housekeeping and call down if I need more towels or toiletries. If we’re traveling as a family, will definitely opt for daily housekeeping. It’s the #1 reason why P2 doesn’t like staying at an AirBnB or similar. I’m curious if things will change for you once you start traveling with Miles more often!
(And on a related note, I’m curious what hotels do when a child wets the bed or has another accident. Has happened with our son when he was little and we always inform the property, and try to clean up as much as we can ourselves.)
I'm a solo traveler (with one exception last year when I shared a room with a friend), and I use the do not disturb sign a lot...some hotels have other cute ways of saying this but it means the same thing. I don't even want housekeeping most of the time, especially if I'm only staying 1-3 nights. One person does not fill up trash cans or go through towels very quickly. Also, I leave stuff...
I'm a solo traveler (with one exception last year when I shared a room with a friend), and I use the do not disturb sign a lot...some hotels have other cute ways of saying this but it means the same thing. I don't even want housekeeping most of the time, especially if I'm only staying 1-3 nights. One person does not fill up trash cans or go through towels very quickly. Also, I leave stuff in/on the bed, which I'd have to remove if I wanted the bed made up. Plus, I just feel I have to put everything away so no one sees my personal items laying around! A couple of exceptions.... When I shared a room last year, my friend and I appreciated fresh towels and having the trash cans emptied. Also, last year I stayed 5 nights at a hotel in Juneau, AK that said they'd change the sheets on the bed after 3 nights...so I took advantage of that to have housekeeping done and arranged to be out of the room for a while.
If I'm in a hotel for less than a week, I don't require housekeeping during my stay.
I've been in hotels that if you tell them you don't want housekeeping for a given day the night before, they'd give you a $5 hotel credit for everyday you refused housekeeping that could be used in the hotel bar or restaurant.
On the other hand, some hotels pay the housekeepers per room cleaned. I know of...
If I'm in a hotel for less than a week, I don't require housekeeping during my stay.
I've been in hotels that if you tell them you don't want housekeeping for a given day the night before, they'd give you a $5 hotel credit for everyday you refused housekeeping that could be used in the hotel bar or restaurant.
On the other hand, some hotels pay the housekeepers per room cleaned. I know of some people who wanted their room cleaned everyday because they wanted the housekeeper to get her money.
I generally have the do not disturb sign on when I'm in the room, and when I leave for the day I'll take it off and housekeeping has usually come by the time I return. If it's a mid range property and they haven't come when I return, it's not really a big deal.
With luxury and resort properties if I miss housekeeping on the first day with the above strategy I'll usually call...
I generally have the do not disturb sign on when I'm in the room, and when I leave for the day I'll take it off and housekeeping has usually come by the time I return. If it's a mid range property and they haven't come when I return, it's not really a big deal.
With luxury and resort properties if I miss housekeeping on the first day with the above strategy I'll usually call them each day when I'm heading out for a few hours and ask they come by. I guess I don't want to be seen as overly demanding so I give them a chance to see if their schedule lines up with mine first before I start calling to request it.
And I definitely don't stay in the room while they're there, that's sounds super awkward.
literally have the exact same strategy. Works great 90% of the time