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When you come to stay at a hotel, usually all that you want are the basics: to relax, watch a movie on TV, get a good night’s sleep, enjoy some delicious English breakfast in the morning, maybe get some advice about what interesting sites there are to see nearby. The last thing that should be on your mind is how uncomfortable you are.
It shouldn’t take 5 stars for a hotel to provide the basics and make you feel welcome. However, the sad reality is that far from every hotel you stay at will be up to your standards. Luckily, people have come up with plenty of life hacks while you stay at hotels, especially bad ones. And one person’s hotel hack to get rid of the annoying gap between the curtains inspired others to share their own tips and tricks.
We here at Bored Panda have compiled a list of hotel hacks to improve your stay and help you circumnavigate bad experiences as best you can. So scroll down, upvote your fave hacks, and share them with your friends. And be sure to leave us a comment with any hotel hacks that you might know as well.
This post may include affiliate links.
When Rick Klau shared the hack where you can use a hanger to close the blackout curtains in your hotel room, the internet’s response was phenomenal. The hack was liked 396,700 times and retweeted 71,500 times. Klau’s post inspired other social media users to share their own hotel hacks, and some of them are brilliant in their simplicity.
#4
Rosie Hamilton 5 years ago (edited)
I always carry individually wrapped antiseptic wipes. As a dog owner I've found them to be a very good idea just generally.. The packaging can be recyled on these. EDIT: and the wipes are as well with the ones I use. I only mentioned packaging as I was looking at that large plastic container in the photo.
#6
Suzi Gauthier 5 years ago
I've never been in a hotel where you had to turn on the electricity in the room. Where does this happen?
Bored Panda interviewed Dr. Gabor Forgacs from Ryerson University about the hotel industry, as well as the challenges it faces in the 21st century.
“Technology is offered as an option for convenience but not as a replacement for service. Automated check-ins and wake up calls etc. are fine, however, it is a guest preference to choose them as a lot of guests appreciate the human interaction instead. Technology is used to expedite service (curbside check-in, messaging, digital coupons, etc.) not replacing it.”
#8
“How we leverage our data is important for hoteliers. We have a data-rich operational environment and we have to walk a fine line in terms of using our data sources for improving service without invading guest privacy and respecting sensitivities," Dr. Forgacs said.
“The philosophy of old school hoteliers, and I am one, still rules: we see everything, we know anything about our guests but never disclose anything, never reveal what we know and keep all that to ourselves. Best hoteliers are unassuming, discreet and highly knowledgeable.”
#10
Rosie Hamilton 5 years ago
They always throw away any of the small soaps that remain so you might as well take those. Hotels need to stop providing these things in mini plastic containers for the sake of the planet.
#16
Mimi M 5 years ago
And also, one where the outlets fit the configuration of the plugs that you use (American, European, whatever). Better than having to depend on getting multiple adapters for each of your devices. If the plug on the strip doesn't fit the wall outlet, you can get just one adapter at the front desk.
#17
Radek Suski 5 years ago
What hotel has doors like that? I never seen a gap between doors and the floor
#23
Hans 5 years ago
This is exactly what the hotel chains want you to do. Usually, it means thta you do not pick by quality and price andmore but by brand. Maximizing a hotel program usually is only worth it if you stay in hotels A LOT and/or if you can status match with other loyality programs, like that of airlines. Which again make only sense if you travel a lot. From my experience, there is little sense below 25 nights a year.
#24
Rosie Hamilton 5 years ago
Small point but it will take you longer to get out when the fire alarm goes off (happened twice in hotels I've stayed in).
#25
"Please be careful not to cover any air holes so you don't disable the detector. Please remove the tape in the morning so maintenance can inspect the detector."
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What do you think ?
Biljana Malesevic 5 years ago
You can be reasonably clean, but thinking too much about germs can suck all the fun out of any trip and holliday.
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Hans 5 years ago
This is somewhat disappointing. Some hacks are rather dumb, some are really selfish, and many would be mitigated by using 5-10 USD or EUR more a night to book a hotel that cares for its customers.
Fixin'Ta 5 years ago
Even the top-rated hotels' cleaning staffs don't always do a top-rated job. I've read a number of articles where it's been proven that cleaning staff take shortcuts and don't do all the things we would expect them to do (like sanitizing bathroom counters).
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Biljana Malesevic 5 years ago
You can be reasonably clean, but thinking too much about germs can suck all the fun out of any trip and holliday.
Load More Replies... Hans 5 years ago
This is somewhat disappointing. Some hacks are rather dumb, some are really selfish, and many would be mitigated by using 5-10 USD or EUR more a night to book a hotel that cares for its customers.
Fixin'Ta 5 years ago
Even the top-rated hotels' cleaning staffs don't always do a top-rated job. I've read a number of articles where it's been proven that cleaning staff take shortcuts and don't do all the things we would expect them to do (like sanitizing bathroom counters).
Load More Replies...
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