Guest Hotel etiquette

Guest’s expect quite a bit from their hotel experience. The basic expectations such as clean and comfortable accommodation, luxury amenities and exceptional meals. Most hotels are willing to accommodate even the most fussy or particular guest. But what about the guest’s responsibility?  Here are a few important expectations that hotels hope all their guests’ could brush up on:

When possible make your reservations as far in advance as possible. If you wait until the last minute, you could run the risk of the hotel being fully booked, not getting the accommodations you prefer, or being placed on a waiting list.  Once you have a confirmed reservation, before you arrive at your hotel, print your confirmation or record your booking or reference number. This is will make the check in process quicker and avoid any confusion or oversights.  Just to be sure, you could also contact the hotel to confirm your booking.

If you plan to travel with a pet, inform the reservationist. Some hotels do not allow pets, while other hotels may have policies regarding the size and breed of the animal you are allowed. If the hotel cannot accommodate you, they may know of another hotel that can.

If possible, have your confirmation/reservation number available. Go directly to the registration desk with your confirmation information and give the names of everyone who will be staying in your room. 

The BIG question of tipping.  Understanding the proper times, methods and amounts for tipping hotel staff often confuses novice travellers and guests, especially those with little experience.  Although tipping is not required for every hotel staffer or for all services, etiquette suggests that tipping several employees is customary practice in most hotels. Please note that every country seems to have its own tipping etiquette so a bit of research before the time will help you be more prepared. People you could tip:

·       Parking valet – on drop-off and pick-up of your vehicle

·       Doorman – on arrival and departure

·       Porter – after bags have been picked up

·       Concierge – at the end of the hotel stay

·       Restaurant servers – on the table or credit card bill

·       Cleaning staff – on the desk or dresser in a visible location each morning

Treat all the furniture and fixtures in the room with care – as if it were your own. These items are not your personal belongings, and the hotel has reasonable expectations that you will leave them as you found them, or the way you would like to find it. If something is broken or doesn’t work, contact the front desk immediately and they should replace or repair it.  Not reporting it could lead them to believe you broke it.

Be as quiet as possible when walking down the passage to or from your room. Noise echoes in passage, and sounds may be amplified in the rooms. When walking down passage ways, use a soft voice or try to refrain from talking too loudly in the passages after 10PM and before 8AM.

Once in your room keep the noise level down. This includes voices, television volume, music, and anything else that can disrupt the rest and relaxation of others. If someone else is noisy, contact someone at the front desk and let the hotel staff deal with it so that you don’t need to confront other guests.

You may take consumables such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotions, so never take re-usable items such as bathrobes, towels, dishes, glasses, mugs, coffee pots, and other objects are there for use only during your hotel stay. If you really like something and want to take it with you, contact the front desk and ask if they have one that you can purchase. 

 

Be considerate and respectful of the housekeeping staff who clean your room. They have many rooms that need to be serviced, and you don’t want to delay them with your unnecessary items left lying around. 

You can assist housekeeping by putting your dirty towels in a pile on one spot of the bathroom floor, not leaving trash lying around, putting your clothes away and not leaving your personal belongings all over the room. 

Avoid embarrassment for all concerned by never answering the door unless you are fully dressed. If possible, leave your room when the cleaning staff arrives. If you can’t, ask them to return later.

Be as quiet as possible when walking down the hall to or from your room. If you need to talk with someone, use a soft voice. Remember that noise echoes in hallways, and the sound may be amplified in the rooms. Try to refrain from talking in the hallway after 10:00 PM and before 8:00 AM.

Once you get to the elevator, be respectful of others who are getting off or waiting to get on. Once you are inside, wait for others to load before pushing the button for your destination floor. If you have bags, push them as close to the wall as possible and get out of the way of anyone who needs to get past you. Don’t allow your children to play with the buttons on the elevator.

Many hotels have pools, Jacuzzis, and workout rooms. Read the rules before using them. Be considerate of other guests. If someone is waiting for you to finish using a piece of equipment at the gym, don’t dilly-dally. Always supervise your children in pool and workout areas. Not only can they get hurt, they can disrupt or injure someone else if they engage in horseplay.

If you need assistance with your luggage, contact Reception or call the porter station to let them know what time to pick up your bags for departure, either from your room or reception. If you need to store them due to late departure, always ensure that you have a ticket to claim your bags later.

When checking out, look over your bill to make sure all your charges are accurate. If there is an issue, politely discuss the issue until it is resolved.

Our aim at The ReviewA is to assist you in being able to enjoy your travel experience which includes understanding some of your responsibility when staying at a hotel, lodge, or resort.  If you are ever in doubt about proper etiquette at a hotel, do not be shy to as the friendly reception staff or the concierge.  And then there are just the everyday friendly etiquette “rules” of good manners we should always be doing: a positive attitude, smiling, and saying “please” and “thank you,” will  show your good manners wherever you are. Everyone deserves your respect and kindness.