24 Hotel Etiquette and Rules Everyone Always Ignores
Hotel staff don’t have it easy. These workers are often overworked and under pressure. Moreover, they deal with unreasonably dirty rooms and guests who don’t treat them graciously.
Respecting hotel etiquette rules is an easy way to show appreciation to these hard workers and make hotels pleasant environments for everyone.
So, why do people ignore these simple rules? They may be entitled and expect to be treated as visiting royalty, or they may be oblivious. Either way, here are the hotel etiquette rules experts believe you should stop doing today to get on the good side of your hosts.
Don't Book Without Checking Amenity Descriptions
When you stay at a chain hotel, you may expect it to be identical to another location you may have visited. For example, you may expect the same fresh seafood menu you experienced in Florida while staying in a Chicago hotel.
However, that’s not something chains can provide while remaining profitable. To avoid making this faux pas, check out the menus and amenities beforehand rather than complain to the staff.
Read Incidental Hold Policies
Incidental holds are the norm. Hotels must protect themselves by adding small amounts for damages and room service. Don’t get up in arms over this small fee being added to your credit card.
All hotels follow this practice, and the money is often returned to your card after you leave- unless you damaged your room or asked for room service. If you’ve never heard of incidental holds, it's because hotels may not have mentioned this practice to keep the peace.
Understand Hotel Pricing Policies
If you booked directly with the hotel, you already have the best price you can get. Asking for price match discounts based on external websites like Expedia frustrates staff because they can’t verify or match the information.
Remember that hotel staff can’t make decisions like price matching independently, especially when giving a discount. They’ll need a manager to approve this decision, which isn’t always possible.
Know the Limitations of Your Hotel Membership Status
If you have elite status, the front desk staff has already applied all the freebies and upgrades that status entitles you to before your arrival. Making a fuss about your elite status and asking for extras won’t get you anywhere.
Instead of having a meltdown over your status, stick with one brand and grow your points each time you visit. Eventually, you’ll barely pay anything out of pocket for your room.
Don't Bully Your Way Through
This one should be obvious, but to many travelers, it’s not. Demanding the same favor — an upgrade or a freebie — of several staff members when they've already said “no” is not going to work.
Likewise, trying to intimidate front desk staff by acting like a bully will only get you a deserved reputation as one. Refrain from acting “tough” and show some respect. The staff is working for you, not against you.
Don't Complain About Minibar Snack Prices
Hotel snack prices are through the roof, it’s true. So, why bother complaining about them to the front desk staff? They’re not setting the prices, and they’re already aware that the snacks they offer are way cheaper at the store.
Instead of complaining, why not go to the store and buy the treats there? That way, you'll follow the rules of decorum and not unload your frustration on blameless staff.
Don't Smoke in the Room
You paid for the room, so you might as well do whatever you want, right? Wrong. If the venue is non-smoking — and many of them are nowadays — don’t try to sneak in a smoke after dinner.
After you leave, staff will inspect the room and find the tell-tale signs you did, from ashes on the carpet to the stale cigarette smell. You’re better off smoking outside than getting a $300 fine applied after you've already left.
Book a Reservation Before Arriving
If you show up several hours before the check-in time, the hotel won’t always be able to let you check in right away. For example, if the place was sold out the night before your arrival, the front desk won’t be able to kick people out to accommodate you.
Always plan your arrival with this thought in mind. If you know you’ll be early, let the hotel know. The staff will do their best to prepare the room for you on time.
Don't Leave Unwarranted Negative Reviews
When you book a room online, you can see its features. Moreover, you can see pictures that show you what to expect.
Nevertheless, many people leave bad reviews about missing microwaves, couches, or other features they expect to have in their room. It’s unfair to the staff and owners when you could easily verify the features before booking the room.
Request a Late Checkout or Leave on Time
Checking out late is possible and acceptable. However, don’t just wake up late and leave whenever it suits you. You may end up locked out of your room or charged additional fees.
Hotels need to prepare the rooms for the next visitor. If you don’t communicate to staff that you need a late checkout, they will be in a position of not having the room ready for this paying customer. Trust us: they’ll work with you to give a late checkout. You just have to ask.
Show Respect to Guests and Staff
This entry shouldn’t be on our list because showing respect to people you interact with is common sense. However, it appears some travelers forget common sense when they check-in.
Don’t disrespect front desk staff because they can’t give you exactly what you want. Likewise, don’t act dismissive or superior to housekeeping staff. Without their hard work, you’d be sleeping on a bench outside. Respect isn’t hard, and everyone deserves it.
Follow All Security Protocols
Don’t ignore hotel security protocols. Lock your door if it doesn’t lock automatically, and don’t make your room number or possessions public knowledge.
Hotels work hard to ensure your safety within their walls, but you should also practice personal responsibility, including safeguarding your online presence to avoid identity theft while staying in a hotel.
Request Early Check-In Before Arrival
Checking out early is better than checking out late, right? As long as you let the staff know you left early, that’s true. Otherwise, you may still get a charge on your credit card for the night you forfeited when you checked out early.
Always share your plans with the front desk workers. Tell them when you find out if you must leave early or need additional nights. They’ll work with you to accommodate your needs and not overcharge you.
Know the Credit Card Requirements
It’s impossible to check in without a credit card in most hotels. It doesn’t mean you can’t pay cash or use your debit card to pay for your room. However, you still need a credit card to pay for everything you may use during your stay in advance.
Don’t show up without a credit card or try to argue with staff over that rule. Again, it’s not the staff's call on how their employer protects itself against theft or damages.
Review Email Confirmations
Once you’ve booked your stay, you may ignore any communications that arrive after your reservation is confirmed. However, not checking email confirmations may cause headaches, especially if the dates are incorrect or you need a two-bedroom but accidentally booked a single.
Likewise, make sure you don’t overbook. Email confirmations can show you if you accidentally booked two rooms when you only need one.
Review All Hotel Policies Before Arrival
Hotel policies specify check-in and checkout times, whether reservations are pre-paid, and, more importantly, how to cancel. You must adhere to them at all times.
If you need to cancel the room and haven’t read the cancellation policy, arguing with staff is pointless and rude. Some reservation types — like package and group bookings — simply don’t allow cancellations. Ignoring the policy and bickering with staff won’t change that fact.
Keep Your Shoes on in Common Areas
If you’re wondering why we’d include this etiquette rule, it's because people often ignore it. Walking around common areas barefoot opens the hotel to liability should you slip and break an arm. Moreover, it opens you to fungal infections like athlete’s foot.
Wear shoes at all times, including in your room. The hotel-provided single-use slippers are comfortable, and you won't have to worry about infections or liability.
Don't Steal Towels or Other In-Room Amenities
The same logic that pushes some people to test boundaries by smoking in non-smoking rooms also applies to packing all the amenities and even some towels to take them home. After all, they paid for the room, so everything is up for grabs.
Amenities and towels are indeed included in the price. However, would you appreciate guests who casually take your hand soap when you have them over for dinner? Probably not. Show the same courtesy to your host.
Don't Overload Electrical Outlets
Especially when you stay in older hotels, overloading electrical outlets with all your mobile devices can pose a fire hazard. Be mindful of how many devices you’re charging at any given time.
If you notice a damaged outlet or you damage one while charging, let the staff know. It’s better to admit to what you’ve done than to risk a fire.
Clean Up After Yourself
You won’t be able to leave the room exactly how you found it because you’re not trained in housekeeping (or, if you are, kudos!). However, you can tidy the room, clean up messes, and put away trash.
Don’t use towels or bedsheets to clean your shoes or wipe down messes. Also, don’t try to cover up damage. It will all come out when the staff do their post-checkout inspection anyway.
Report All Safety Issues
Beyond damaged electrical outlets, you should always inform the staff of any issues in your room. Tell them if the shower won’t get up to temperature or your neighbor kept you up all night.
They’ll either fix the issue or assign you to a different room. Keeping mum about the problem and leaving a scathing review isn’t the answer.
Respect Quiet Hours
Quiet hours ensure that all guests can rest, and most hotels have designated hours. Don’t ignore them. People travel for a variety of reasons. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean the people in the next room don’t have to wake up at 4 a.m. to catch their flight.
Being considerate to fellow guests makes hotel stays better for everyone and doesn’t cost you a dime.
Don't Steal Food
Complimentary breakfast buffets are a great way to start the day. However, stealing food to cover your lunch needs is not.
Only eat what you need to stay full until your next meal. Don’t try to sneak out more croissants or fill your bag with pizza or sandwiches just because you can. Again, being considerate goes a long way to ensure everyone enjoys their stay.
Don't Leave Your Pet Unattended for Too Long
Some hotels don’t allow pets, and that’s their right. Others allow you to bring Fluffy along but have rules about where your beloved pet is allowed. Don’t ignore them.
More importantly, don’t leave Fluffy alone in your room while you have a seven-course dinner. The poor thing will get bored and lonely and howl in frustration, and your adorable furbaby will be the bane of your neighbors and staff.
