Hotels are pretty good at making everything feel effortless. Your bed is made, clean towels are waiting, and problems usually get handled before you have much time to think about them. What guests don’t always see is the staff working behind the scenes to keep rooms clean, supplies stocked, guests happy, and the whole place running day and night.
Most hotel employees will tell you that the majority of guests are polite and easy to help. Still, certain habits come up over and over. Some create extra work, some cause avoidable problems, and others can turn an already busy shift into a frustrating one.
A few are safety issues. Others come down to basic courtesy.
If you want to be the guest hotel staff are happy to see, here are some of the things employees wish people would stop doing.
Skipping a Quick Room Check — Then Complaining Later
Hotel staff don’t expect every room to be perfect, and they want to hear about problems. The frustrating part is finding out about an issue hours later when it could have been fixed right away.
Take a couple of minutes after you arrive to look around. Check the bed, bathroom, thermostat, lights, and general cleanliness. If something is wrong, call the front desk while you’re still getting settled.
A missing towel or broken thermostat is much easier to deal with at 3 p.m. than at 11 p.m.
Related: 10 Hotel Checkout Habits That Make Housekeepers’ Jobs Harder
Ignoring the In-Room Safe
Leaving passports, cash, jewelry, or expensive electronics sitting out in a hotel room is asking for trouble.
Hotel theft isn’t something most guests will ever deal with, but valuables can still disappear. When that happens, staff have to deal with complaints, reports, and an understandably upset guest.
If the room has a safe and you’re carrying something you really can’t afford to lose, use it. It only takes a minute.
Using Glassware Without Rinsing It
Hotel glasses may look spotless, but that doesn’t always mean they have been thoroughly cleaned between every guest.
Housekeepers often have a limited amount of time to turn over each room, particularly at busy hotels. A glass that looks clean may have been wiped down rather than fully washed.
If you’re unsure, give the glass a quick rinse with hot water before using it. It takes a few seconds and gives you some extra peace of mind.
Related: 11 Hotel Room Items You Should Think Twice About Using
Waiting Until Checkout to Dispute Charges
Minibar charges, parking fees, room service, and resort fees can catch guests off guard.
The problem is that checkout is usually the worst time to start sorting out a billing issue. You may be trying to catch a flight, the lobby may be busy, and the employee has a line of other guests waiting.
If you spot something on your bill that doesn’t look right, call the front desk during your stay. There’s usually more time to look into it and correct a mistake before you’re standing at the counter with your bags.
Leaving a Room Absolutely Destroyed
Housekeepers expect hotel rooms to get messy. That’s part of the job.
There’s a difference between a normal lived-in room and one that looks like a tornado went through it. Trash covering the floor, food smashed into the carpet, stained bedding, broken items, and glitter scattered everywhere can add a lot of time to a room cleanup.
You don’t have to clean the bathroom or make the bed before leaving. Just keeping your belongings and trash somewhat under control can make the housekeeper’s job much easier.
Sneaking in Extra Guests
Hotel occupancy limits aren’t made up just to annoy guests. They can be tied to fire codes, building capacity, insurance, and hotel policies.
Bringing several unregistered people into a room can create problems, especially if they stay overnight. If your plans change and another person needs to stay with you, talk to the front desk.
It’s much easier for staff to work with you when they know what’s happening.
Related: Why Travelers Sometimes Leave the Hotel Room Lights Off After Check-In
Leaving Valuables in Your Car
Hotel parking lots can be busy places, and staff can’t keep an eye on every vehicle. Leaving laptops, bags, cameras, wallets, or other valuables visible inside your car can make your vehicle an easy target.
When a break-in happens, the guest is understandably upset, while hotel staff often end up dealing with reports, questions, and complaints they can’t really resolve themselves.
Take valuables with you whenever possible, or at least keep them out of sight.
Related: A Winter Storm Is Coming—These Survival Items Should Already Be in Your Car
Ignoring “Do Not Disturb” Boundaries
A “Do Not Disturb” sign is there for a reason, and hotel staff will respect it. But leaving the sign on the door for several days without contacting anyone can eventually raise concerns.
Hotels have procedures for checking on guests when there has been no contact for an unusually long period. Staff may need to make sure the guest is safe.
If you don’t want housekeeping during a long stay, let the front desk know. That gives the staff a clear idea of what you want and avoids unnecessary checks.
Assuming Higher Floors Automatically Equal Safety
Some guests prefer a higher floor because it feels quieter or safer. That’s fine. The trouble starts when a guest demands a particular floor after arriving, especially when the hotel is full.
Room assignments depend on availability, reservations, maintenance issues, accessibility needs, and other factors. Front desk employees may have very little room to change things around.
If you have a strong floor preference, request it when you book. If the hotel can’t provide it, being polite about it will usually get you much further than arguing with the person at the desk.
Not Understanding the Cancellation Policy
Front desk employees didn’t write the cancellation policy, and they usually don’t have the authority to ignore it.
Guests sometimes book a non-refundable rate and then become angry when they need to cancel. Staff may sympathize with the situation, but that doesn’t mean they can erase the charge.
Take a look at the cancellation terms before booking. If your plans might change, paying a little more for a flexible rate may save you a headache later.
Raiding the Minibar Without Looking at Prices
Hotel minibar snacks can be surprisingly expensive. A small bag of chips or bottle of water can cost several times what you’d pay at a grocery store.
The prices are usually listed, yet guests still reach checkout and act shocked by the bill.
If you know you’re going to be tempted, ask the hotel whether the minibar can be emptied before or shortly after you arrive. That saves you from accidentally grabbing a $10 snack when you thought it was included.
Treating Staff Like Personal Assistants
Front desk employees, housekeepers, maintenance workers, and other hotel staff are there to help guests. They aren’t personal servants.
Snapping your fingers at someone, yelling across the lobby, speaking rudely, or making unreasonable demands can turn a simple request into an uncomfortable interaction.
A little courtesy goes a long way in a hotel. Staff deal with plenty of stressful situations during a shift, and a polite guest is usually someone they’re happy to help whenever they can.
