The art of being a good hotel guest

The Fine Art of Being a Good Hotel Guest

Tipping is only part of it and yes, you can take the little shampoo bottles home — within reason.

For most travelers, staying at a hotel is par for the course when it comes to planning a getaway. While hotels do their part to offer a host of perks, amenities, and accommodations, the guest plays just as important a role in fostering a pleasant experience, having grace with hospitality professionals as they navigate the new travel norms can go a long way. Now more than ever, appreciation, respect, and gratitude are important for the industry. There are staffing issues all over the world, and hospitality is still working, but with less. Good hotel etiquette will make their day.  Here are some tips to navigate the new landscape and be a welcome guest.

• Make everyone’s life easier — and your own stay stress-free — by letting the hotel know your needs before you arrive.
• Many people forget that it’s not only customary to tip housekeeping staff but also that they should be doing so daily. The American Hotel & Lodging Association suggests tipping cleaning staff between $1 and $5 per day.
• Although they may not always mesh well with our travel plans, hotels have check-in and checkout times for a reason. Hotel staff need adequate time to properly clean and restock rooms in between guests.
• You might be in the hotel for a good time, but others might be there for some peaceful R&R. Be thoughtful of your neighbors by adhering to any quiet hours and not inviting more than two outside guests.
• Believe it or not, hotels actually want you to use and take the toiletries — within reason, of course. “If a guest will use them, then they can absolutely take them home!
• If you’re not staying in a popular room type (like a suite or ocean-view room), hotels may be more likely to accommodate late checkouts, especially when communicated in advance.
• Did you know that some hotel soaps can be recycled. The Clean the World organization partners with hotels to recycle used soaps into new bars that are distributed around the world to help prevent hygiene-related illness and death.