As a guest, it is important to be mindful of good etiquette while staying at a hotel, no matter how long or short your stay. Hotel staff and other guests will greatly appreciate your respectful behavior and will make your stay that much more enjoyable. From checking in to packing up, here are some tips and etiquette best practices to keep in mind when staying at a hotel.
Arriving at the Hotel
When you arrive ready to check-in, it is important to be respectful of the hotel staff regardless of how your reservation went. All guests should keep in mind the following etiquette tips when arriving at the hotel:
• Practice patience and professional communication.
• Offer form of identification and information such as address, phone number, and email address.
• Greet staff with courtesy.
• Feel free to ask for assistance when needed.
During the Stay
While you’re staying at the hotel, it is important to respect hotel staff, other guests, and property grounds. Be mindful of these etiquette tips:
• Practice common courtesy.
• Clean up after yourself in public spaces.
• Limit noise where possible in common areas and when returning late.
• Respect varying housekeeping service request and check-out times.
• Respect hotel property, grounds, and other visitors.
• Follow the no smoking policy.
At Check-Out
When the time comes to check out of the hotel, there are some etiquette tips that can make the process easier on everyone. Here’s what you should keep in mind when checking out:
• Put all trash in designated waste receptacles.
• Submit all payable charges.
• Gather all belongings from the room.
• Leave the room as soon as possible when check-out time approaches.
• Give feedback to hotel management about your stay.
What to Leave Behind
When checking out of a hotel, there are a few things guests should never leave behind for housekeeping staff to deal with. Here’s a list of items that should never be left behind in a hotel room:
• Food – especially any leftover perishable items.
• Broken objects in the room.
• Spare change and personal items such as jewelry or clothes.
• Soiled bedsheets, towels, or pillows.
• Unused toiletries or other hotel amenities.
• Unplugged or turned off appliances or lights.
Hotel etiquette is important to practice at all times during your stay. Respect the hotel staff, the hotel property, and other guests to make the experience most enjoyable. Be mindful of good etiquette when arriving at the hotel, while staying, and when checking out. Always leave the hotel room in the condition it was found in minus any personal items and extra trash. Following these etiquette tips is sure to make your stay that much better and make a positive impression on the hotel staff.
