When people travel, staying in hotels is an essential part of the journey. If the issue of “room matters” is not handled properly, it can not only affect the travel itinerary or mood but also lead to unnecessary expenses. To address this, some hotel operators have shared common mistakes made by guests, hoping to serve as a cautionary guide for people to avoid overspending or unpleasant experiences.
According to a report by The Huffington Post, like most hotel guests, you may unknowingly make some mistakes when checking into a hotel. You might consider the following six common mistakes made by hotel guests provided by hotel operators, hoping for a different experience on your next hotel stay.
Guests may choose to book hotel rooms through third-party travel websites for reasons such as saving money, instead of directly with the hotel, but this approach has its drawbacks.
Chase Christian, the room director of 106 Jefferson Hotel in Huntsville, Alabama, said, “Booking through third parties can hinder us from taking actions to assist you by over half.”
He cited an example that if your trip is unexpectedly canceled, the hotel cannot refund a night’s accommodation fee. You may also miss out on loyalty benefits, or the third party may charge you for last-minute changes.
However, booking directly with the hotel can usually avoid these issues.
Ivanna Gonzalez, the room director of Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel in Florida, mentioned that many guests only inquire about the facilities and services provided after their checkout.
She said, “We often hear guests say they wish they knew earlier about certain offerings, whether it’s extra pillows or recommendations for local attractions.”
Rachel Mylett, assistant manager of The Lodge at St. Edward in Washington State, mentioned that the convenient amenities her hotel offers are something ordinary guests would not think about without browsing their website.
She added that without prior research, guests might miss out on services like ice hockey rink and weekly gatherings, game nights, self-guided historical tours, and complimentary yoga on Saturdays.
Booking spa treatments and restaurants immediately after reserving hotel rooms can ensure you have a spot upon arrival, avoiding disappointment.
Mylett mentioned that popular hotels near major cities often receive many advance bookings, especially when catering to both tourists and locals simultaneously. They regret it when guests miss out on their facilities or services due to a lack of booking.
Many hotels have standard check-in and check-out times. However, hotels usually offer some flexibility if guests need to adjust these times due to flight delays or other reasons.
Gonzalez advised, “If you need to adjust your check-in or check-out time, kindly inform the hotel before your arrival. Hotels can often handle these requests flexibly, especially if they are informed in advance.”
Patrick van den Aakster, the front desk manager of a hotel in the Netherlands, recalled an incident where a guest urgently needed a convenience store as he had forgotten his toothbrush and hadn’t brushed his teeth for four days.
Aakster said, “I informed him that our front desk actually provides complimentary toothbrushes. He was surprised and admitted he hadn’t thought to ask.”
Not every hotel provides such services, but many hotels will offer toothbrushes, combs, and makeup wipes if requested by guests.
Hotel staff wants you to have a pleasant stay, but if you don’t voice your preferences, they won’t know how to make your stay more comfortable.
Mylett suggested, “Don’t be shy. Please respond to emails and text messages to ensure your stay aligns with your expectations. This includes letting us know if you’re celebrating any special occasions – perhaps our team can make it extra special.”
Apart from the aforementioned insights, there have been previous instances where British travel agencies invited hotel staff to share some trade secrets worth noting.
The hotel staff includes waiters, chefs, receptionists, and cleaners, among others. They offered five suggestions on how to ensure a safe stay at hotels, including the necessity of checking the kettle inside the room.
Hotel staff mentioned that when drinking any beverage inside the hotel room, always check carefully, as the cleaning staff does not inspect the kettle every day when tidying up the room. There have been cases where guests added inappropriate substances to the kettle. Therefore, it’s best not to boil water directly without inspecting the inside of the kettle.
Furthermore, the mini-bar in the room is also not always secure. Hotel staff recalled instances where guests urinated in bottles inside the mini-bar, replaced the cap and this went unnoticed until the next guest wanted to drink from it.
The Epoch Times previously reported on these matters, with hotel staff emphasizing the importance of maintaining room cleanliness and safety for guests.