Hotel Etiquette: Tips you need to know

 

When you stay in a hotel, it’s a chance to enjoy the comfortable surroundings and excellent customer service that good hotels pride themselves on. I love to travel, and by that, I have learned the most important things to follow while you stay in a hotel. 

You will be enjoying the hotel’s service and facilities, but it’s also important that guests observe good hotel etiquette, as that helps to make any stay more enjoyable for everyone.

So, here are some hotel etiquette tips to help make your stay a happy and comfortable one. 

 

Check-in

Before you travel to your hotel, it’s a good idea to check your booking to make sure that everything is correct. And in these unusual times, it’s also worth checking the hotel’s website for any particular Covid-secure policies such as requiring masks or changes to check-in procedure.

Make sure that you have your booking confirmation number handy at check-in, together with the names of all of the guests in your party. 

Your passport details are usually required, and if a city tax is due, this could be payable at check-in. Have your credit card and passport close at hand, so you don’t cause a delay for other guests. 

Depending on your hotel, you may be asked if you want an alarm call or newspaper in the morning. With my mobile phone, I rarely accept this offer as I can choose my alarm and read up to date news. Check-in is an excellent time to request a charger if you have forgotten yours!

 

In Hotel Common Areas

Let others get out of the lift before you try to get in and place your luggage out of the way of other guests. It’s good etiquette to hold the doors for any other guests getting in the lift.

You should wait until everyone is in the lift before pressing buttons and if you’re travelling with children, don’t let them play with the buttons. 

If your hotel has a pool, gym or spa, make sure that you read the rules before using them. 

Sounds can really echo down long hotel hallways. Try to be as quiet as possible when you’re walking to and from your room, especially at times when people may be sleeping.

 

Noise Levels

It’s good hotel etiquette to keep your noise levels under control. Consider if you may be disturbing other guests, both in common areas and in your room. Be aware of the volume of your TV and music as well as talking and laughter.

If someone else’s noise is disrupting your stay, call down and ask reception to speak to the guests. Don’t try to deal with it yourself in case it causes a confrontation.

 

Tipping 

Tipping etiquette at hotels in Europe isn’t the same as in the United States. You’ll generally find that tipping in Europe isn’t as common as in the USA, but you may still want to tip some of the hotel staff during your stay.

If your hotel has a porter, it’s normal to tip them 1 or 2 euro for each bag that they carry. And it’s nice to leave a small tip in your room for the housekeeping staff on your final morning. 

You may also like to tip the staff in the hotel’s bar and restaurant if you use them, around 10% is the usual amount.

 

Room Service

If you choose to order room service, it’s fine to be wearing your robe when the waiter arrives to set up the meal in your room. When you finish your meal, your hotel may ask you to call down for your tray to be collected or to leave your tray in the hallway outside your door. 

If you decide to have breakfast in your room, make sure you place your order the night before. And give yourself plenty of time to enjoy your meal before you have to leave. 

Expect a service charge to be added to your bill for room service, items on the room service menu include this in the price.

 

Breakfast Service

If your hotel puts on a fabulous spread at breakfast time, it’s not good hotel etiquette to use it to feed yourself for the rest of the day.

It’s fine to take a bottle of water with you when you leave the breakfast room. But don’t stuff your bag full of pastries and fruit for you and your guests! That is very impolite.

 

Leaving your room tidy

You should treat everything in your room with good care and if something is broken, call down to reception to let them know straight away. 

Treat the housekeeping staff with respect and remember that they have a lot of rooms to service each day. Try to leave the room when they arrive to clean your room, or if the timing isn’t convenient, ask them to come back a little later. If you don’t want your room to be serviced, hang the sign on the door nice and early. 

Before you leave your room for the day, make sure that you have put any rubbish in the bin. Many hotels will ask you to re-hang towels if you are happy to use them again, or leave them in the bath if they need to be replaced.

 

Checkout

Sometimes we want to take home the small cute bottle of shampoo or little soap because it smells so nice or we want to have a little memento of the hotel and that is fine. But you shouldn’t take larger bottles of toiletries or any of the fixtures and fittings from your room. 

Many hotels offer an express checkout service which lets you leave credit card details when you arrive. On the morning that you leave, they will slip your bill under your door for you to look over. Then if everything looks accurate, you can simply leave your key in your room when it’s time to go.

If your hotel doesn’t offer this service or if you have any queries with your bill, make sure that you leave plenty of time to check out.

Call ahead to let the porter know what time you are leaving, and if you want them to store your bags, keep the ticket safe until it’s time to claim your luggage.

Another great thing is to ask for a morning call if you have your flight early in the morning and also for a taxi. 

Following these simple hotel etiquette tips will help to ensure a smooth and relaxing hotel stay for everyone.

 

 

I wish you a great stay in a hotel!