As a travel writer who has stayed in hotels all over the world for more than seven years, I’ve seen a lot of mistakes made by hotel guests. A lot of tourists make mistakes that can ruin their stay, like forgetting to put up the “Do Not Disturb” sign or leaving big tips for housekeeping. Read below about “6 Shocking Mistakes Hotel Guests Make Every Time- Are You Guilty?”.
Since I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels, I want to tell you about the six most shocking mistakes I see people make all the time. I hope these tips help you plan your next trip. Find out if you’re making any of these hotel mistakes and learn how to travel better.
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Mistake 1: Not Using the ‘Do Not Disturb’ Sign
This is likely the mistake that most hotel guests make. When they want privacy, they forget to put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door, which makes it awkward when cleaning comes to check on them. I always use this sign now that I’ve been walked in on while I was showering!
Hotel workers will know you don’t want to be bothered if you put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the outside door handle. This gives you privacy and makes sure that housekeepers won’t knock on your door or come in until you’re ready. Remember to use it when you need to sleep, get dressed, or just have some peace and quiet.
Mistake 2: Not Tippping Housekeeping
A lot of travelers don’t know this, but housekeepers often count on tips to make a living. When people don’t leave any change, it can be disappointing for the staff who work so hard.
When I stay at a hotel, I always try to leave at least a few dollars a day for cleaning. If I stay more than one night, I’ll tip every day instead of just at the end. Tipping every day helps show that I value the work that’s being done to keep my room clean and comfy.
Giving the staff a small tip is a nice way to say thanks, even if you’re not using their services. Please remember to leave a tip the next time you stay at a hotel.
Mistake 3: Making Special Requests at the Wrong Time
It’s better to make any requests about your hotel stay early on than when you check in. If you want to change your room or stay late, telling the front desk staff about it at the last minute usually doesn’t work out well.
Instead, call the hotel a few days ahead of time to make any necessary requests. You could also add them when you make the ticket. This lets the hotel know a long time in advance so they can make room for you.
What works for me is calling ahead to ask for a room away from the elevators, a mini fridge, or other amenities. This makes it much more likely that my wishes will be met. Make them ahead of time, not at check-in!
Mistake 4: Not Using Loyalty Programs
People who buy from a business more than once can get perks from loyalty programs, but many tourists don’t bother to join. Before I learned how useful hotel rewards programs are for people like me who stay there a lot, I used to make this mistake all the time.
These days, I make sure to sign up for the free reward programs at all the hotel chains I stay at often. When I sign up, I get points that can be redeemed for free nights, better rooms, late check-outs, meal credits, and more. Not only that, but member rates can save you up to 10-15% off the normal room price.
Don’t miss these rewards if you move a lot. It’s easy and free to sign up, so join the programs at the hotel brands you like. There is nothing you can lose and a lot you can win.
Mistake 5: Not Using Doormats
It’s easy to bring dirt, sand, and grime into your hotel room from the outside. This means that housekeeping has to do more work, and no one wants to rest in a room that is dirty.
I always remember to wipe my shoes off on the doormats outside my hotel room before going inside. This keeps my room cleaner and keeps me from tracking in dirt from outside.
Also, instead of putting used towels on the floor in a pile, hang them up. Take care of hotel rooms the same way you would your own home. This small act helps the hotel staff and makes your stay better.
Mistake 6: Being Too Loud
No one wants loud neighbors to keep them up all night while they’re on vacation. In hotels, sound moves quickly, so be careful about how loud you are, especially late at night or early in the morning.
I’ll never forget the loud partygoers next door who kept the music on past midnight. I had to call the front desk and ask them to be quiet so I could sleep. It was a bad situation for everyone.
Please be considerate of other guests by keeping the noise level down during quiet times. Don’t make too much noise with your words, music, TV, or anything else. This makes sure that everyone has a good time.
Avoid Common Hotel Guest Mistakes
The hotels want you to have a great time and come back. If you don’t do these six common things, you’ll be a thoughtful hotel guest who makes things easier for the staff and improves your own stay.
Remember to put up a “Do Not Disturb” sign, leave a tip for cleaning, say what you need early, join a loyalty program, use doormats, and be quiet. Use these tips to make sure that your hotel stay is always smooth, pleasant, and memorable. I hope you like reading “6 Shocking Mistakes Hotel Guests Make Every Time- Are You Guilty?”.
I am Monica, the enthusiastic explorer behind funthingsworld.com. With a degree in Leisure and Recreation Management and over 5 years of diving into thrilling adventures, I’ve made it my mission to uncover the best and most exciting activities around the globe.
Stay connected and get a sneak peek into my adventures on Instagram: @mongjerde
