Hotel Room Etiquette: Keeping it Tidy for Housekeeping
Staying in a hotel comes with the luxury of daily housekeeping, but that doesn’t mean guests should leave their rooms in disarray. Etiquette experts, including Diane Gottsman of The Protocol School of Texas, stress the importance of being considerate to the cleaning staff by maintaining a certain level of cleanliness. Here’s a guide to what’s expected from guests to ensure their hotel stay is pleasant for everyone involved.
What to Do: The Dos of Hotel Room Etiquette
Keep Your Belongings Organized
To aid in the efficiency of housekeeping, Gottsman recommends guests keep their room organized. This means assigning spaces for different items—dirty towels in one area, shoes in another, and keeping clothes packed in your suitcase rather than strewn about. This organization helps the staff clean more effectively without having to move your personal items.
Pet Management
For those traveling with pets, it’s crucial to manage your furry friends responsibly. Bring enough bags to clean up after them and dispose of the waste properly to prevent any unnecessary messes.
Handle Your Trash
Just as you wouldn’t litter at a friend’s house, the same courtesy should extend to your hotel room. Dispose of all trash in the appropriate bins and participate in recycling efforts if the option is available.
Clean Up Accidents
Accidents, such as breaking a glass, require immediate cleanup to prevent injury to yourself or the housekeeping staff. Make an effort to safely pick up and dispose of any broken pieces.
Furniture and Appliances
If you’ve moved furniture around or unplugged any appliances during your stay, return everything to its original place and plug back in any items before you check out.
What Not to Do: The Don’ts of Hotel Room Etiquette
Making the Bed
There’s no need to make the bed on the day of your departure. According to etiquette expert Myka Meier, beds are stripped immediately for laundry, so this task is unnecessary.
Misuse of Bathrobes
Bathrobes are provided for comfort, not as tissues or makeup remover wipes. Misusing them can result in hard-to-remove stains, adding unnecessary workload to the housekeeping staff.
Leaving Wet Towels Around
Wet towels can damage furniture and carpets. Instead of leaving them scattered, hang them up or pile them neatly in the bathroom.
Abandoning Dirty Dishes in the Hall
Essential Hotel Room Etiquette Tips for a Considerate Stay
Leaving room service trays and dirty dishes in the hallway is not only impolite but also creates hazards and unpleasant smells. Always request direct pickup from your room.
The Bottom Line: Respect and Tidiness
The overarching principle, as Meier puts it, is to leave your hotel room in a condition that’s as close as possible to the way you found it. Small gestures of tidiness and respect can significantly ease the workload of housekeeping staff, ensuring the room is ready and welcoming for the next guest.
Extending Courtesy Beyond Your Stay
Ensuring your hotel stay is not only enjoyable for you but also for those who come after, and the staff who maintain the premises, reflects good manners and respect. The guidance provided by etiquette experts sheds light on how simple actions can contribute to a positive and efficient environment for everyone involved. Here are additional considerations to keep in mind during your hotel visit.
Additional Considerations for a Respectful Stay
Tip Housekeeping
Recognizing the hard work of the housekeeping staff with a tip is a gesture of appreciation. It’s customary to leave a daily tip, as the staff may change, ensuring that your gratitude directly benefits those who clean your room.
Report Any Issues Immediately
If you encounter any issues with your room, such as malfunctioning equipment or cleanliness concerns, report these to the hotel management as soon as possible. This allows the hotel to address the problem promptly, preventing any inconvenience for you and future guests.
Use Resources Wisely
Being mindful of your resource use, such as water and electricity, is not only eco-friendly but also respectful to the hotel’s operational efforts. Simple actions like turning off lights when leaving the room or using towels more than once before requesting new ones can make a significant difference.
Quiet Hours Respect
Hotels are shared spaces, and being considerate of others’ need for rest is crucial. Adhere to the hotel’s quiet hours, typically in the evening and early morning, by keeping your volume down and minimizing any potential noise disruptions.
Leave a Review
After your stay, take a moment to leave a review. Positive feedback about the cleanliness and efficiency of the housekeeping staff not only acknowledges their hard work but also assists future guests in making informed decisions.
Conclusion: A Collective Effort
The experience of staying in a hotel is a collective effort, requiring cooperation and consideration from guests, housekeeping, and hotel management. By following the dos and don’ts outlined by etiquette experts, along with these additional considerations, guests can ensure their stay is pleasant for everyone involved. Small acts of kindness and respect go a long way in maintaining a welcoming and efficient hotel environment, making each stay enjoyable for all.
