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It seems like you never sleep as well as you do in your bed, but some hotels get pretty darn close with what they offer. However, in between counting sheep, some of us still have that nagging feeling that something might be off. Whether it’s some paranoia about when the sheets were last cleaned or if the glasses have been washed, odds are that many of you Pandas have worried about (real and metaphorical) bed bugs before.

Well, today, we’re featuring some great tips to keep in mind during your next stay away from home, as shared by current and former hotel industry workers in these two r/AskReddit threads right here and over here. They revealed some of the biggest red flags to look out for, spilled the tea about some great hotel hacks, and even hinted at some secrets that are definitely useful for guests to know.

As you’re scrolling down, remember to upvote the posts that you found the most useful, Pandas. When you’re done, tell us about the best and worst hotel stays you’ve ever had. And if you’ve got any fun or useful hotel tips and tricks to share with the crowd, go right ahead. After all, everyone deserves to sleep as soundly as they do in their beds.

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#1

50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay I used to work in a hotel kitchen preparing and cleaning after the breakfast buffet.
Tip 1: If there is anything missing or anything extra you would like, I`d be happy to bring it to you. As long as you ask for it nicely and respect that it might take some time if its really busy. If you are demanding anything, or being rude, I will probably claim that we`re out, and ignore the dirty plates on your table until you leave.
Tip 2: if you have any allergies, don`t eat the food in the buffet, most guests are pigs, and will use the same serving spoon in different dishes. I usually prepared special plates using unopened food for people with allergies, they usually got a bit extra too.
Tip 3: Even though I`m paid to be there, it does not mean I`m your personal slave, there are 200 other guests to take care of too, and my pay is not high enough to for me to care about your special needs.

One more thing, kids..While I`m working I don`t give a s**t about your kids. I do not think its cute when people`s barefooted kids are left to roam around the dining room or kitchen, bumping into me while I`m carrying boiling water or sharp knives. I will not watch them, I`m a stranger and you should not trust me.

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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in a pub and worked for years in hospitality. Some parents treat pubs, restaurants and hotels as if paedophiles don't ever drink, eat or go on holiday. Monitor your offspring because somebody else might be.

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    #2

    I used to be hotel valet. The people that tip the most are the ones driving regular cars, not the nice Porche.

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    The Silly Stellar Jay
    The Silly Stellar Jay
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably cause people with regular cars know what it is to work a service job and respect the hustle.

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    #3

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay Ask the hotel to remove such fees as Wifi, newspaper, gym and pool. These are often included but they will remove if requested.

    Also, if you need to cancel but are too close to reservation date call and change to a date a few months out. There's usually no charge for this. Then, call back and cancel that reservation.

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    Bored Panda previously spoke about the hotel industry and hoteliers, and what makes hotels stand out from the crowd, with Dr. Gabor Forgacs from Ryerson University.

    He was very candid that being unique is a pretty complex thing and hoteliers have to “master a lot of moving parts in order to achieve that distinction.” He stressed that alongside all of the physical questions like the locations, size, architecture, design, and furniture, all of the “intangibles need to fall into place seamlessly.” And that’s a tall order to fill.

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    “The colors, sounds, scents plus the ambiance are all perfectly lined up: what background music is playing, what designer aroma is in the air and have toiletries scented with; the choice of fabric for carpet, curtains and upholstery; the tone and level of voice of staff as they greet guests and communicate without judging requests or behaviors, etc.,” the professor explained just some of the things that hotel owners have to keep in mind when it comes to providing a top-notch experience for guests.
    #4

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay A front desk employee here. If we are at low occupancy at my hotel, we will often upgrade, if requested. But don't be a d**k about it.

    Do: "Is it possible to have an upgrade?"
    Don't: "Hey hook me up with the Prez suite! Haha JUST KIDDING. But, no, really, is there an upgrade for free?"

    Often times, if you are just really nice to the front desk... without saying anything we will upgrade you.

    Also, don't be afraid to ask for extra tolietries, towels, linens, or coffee. We don't care how much you take, all you have to do is ask.

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    #5

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay You're not the first person to sit naked on that chair.

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    #6

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay The thinness of the sheets and roughness of the towels from being washed too many times. My family has owned two hotels since the 60's and about every decade we hire some consultant to come and tell us what we are doing wrong because we aren't managing owners. Without fail every single one will tell us we are scrapping our worn linens too early, that we can get another six months out of them and without fail it is the one piece of advice we always ignore. We did a cost analysis and it is worth the cost of having happy guests rather than saving a marginal amount by having sheets you can read a newspaper through or towels scratchy enough to sand paint.

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    “Great hotels provide intuitive and highly personalized service, which cannot be done over 250 rooms capacity. If a guest meets 3-5 different faces behind the front desk each time versus always the same two, that makes a huge difference. You can only do this if your hotel is not larger than that,” Dr. Gorgacs said.

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    According to the hotel industry specialist, the main reasons why guests return to hotels are good memories of the place. In other words, if the service and stay were extraordinary, the loyalty of the customer is almost assured.

    Dr. Forgacs told Bored Panda that it’s not just about gold-plated door knobs or extra skirt hangers in the closet. “The best memories are created through interaction with people. If service excellence exceeds expectations, guests always remember that,” he said.
    #7

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay If you need a phone charger go to the front desk and say you lost yours, they have a box full of them from past visitors.

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    #8

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay Don't put a Do Not Disturb sign on your door all day and then expect your room to be cleaned after 3pm when all the housekeepers are gone. Front desk workers are not housekeepers, sorry!

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    TonyTee
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    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That just oughta be a common sense factor; and common courtesy

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    #9

    If you ask politely for fresh milk instead of those shitty plastic cup ones that taste like cheese-water, I am more than happy to personally bring a jug of fresh milk from the kitchen to your room. I've even done this at midnight because the person asked so nicely. Basically if you are polite about requesting a little bit extra, you'll almost always get it.

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    The expert shared some of his thoughts about what hoteliers can do if they’re having trouble with their business.

    “Languishing hotels need to take an honest look at themselves to understand the reasons why they can't create special memories. Service culture is not built overnight; the way you hire, you train, and conduct yourself is crucial. Mistakes are made all the time; how you recover and show genuine care would make a difference,” he told us.

    “Following up is a secret weapon. Comping, offering a discount, or an upgrade for a mishap is what a typical hotel would do. The better ones will always follow up with the guest and on top of a remedy, tell their plan how the mistake will be prevented from happening again.”

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    #10

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay if you have medicine that needs to be refrigerated, don't show up and assume all the rooms have fridges. Also, don't get all bitchy at the staff for not being responsible for your insulin/allergies/ etc. A lot of hotels have rooms without fridges ( Holiday Inns, Hampton Inn, Ramada, etc.) and will typically have several to rent out. Call ahead and be responsible with your condition.

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    NerdyMom
    NerdyMom
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wheel chairs too! always have guests show up who can't walk and get upset that we only have 2 wheel chairs!

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    #11

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay Been working in a big-name chain hotel for a year. Biggest piece of advice is to just be polite to the front desk person, and we will go the extra mile every time. Bottle of wine, freshly baked cookies in your room, late check-in, hints of the best local eateries, whatever.

    Also, don't be afraid to try and talk the front desk person down a little for a lower rate. Don't be obnoxious about it, as we'll lie and say it can't go any lower!

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    Juan Ghote
    Juan Ghote
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why just the front desk person - why not be kind to everyone? Saying Please and Thank You cost you nothing.

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    #12

    Wow, after browsing this thread and seeing other housekeepers comments/warnings I'm shocked. Especially about using windex/dirty rags/guest towels to clean coffe cups and such.

    I am a housekeeper/head housekeeper (laundry and room checks) at a fairly small 3star independently owned hotel. We take pride in our work and strive for customer satisfaction. And this is probably because we arent involved in a corporation and don't have to deal with BS because of it.
    Here's a run down of what gets done in your room at our establishment;

    Every bed is completely stripped once the guests check out and we wash all the sheets that are stripped everyday. Even if it seems like only one out of two beds was slept in, we still check them for hair/dirt ect and strip sheets if anything looks "dirty"
    Blankets aren't washed everyday but still often enough to not be dirty.

    All towels and rags are washed daily.
    For "stay overs" (guests staying multiple nights) housekeepers are required to remove all used towels as replace with fresh ones, and to generally clean the room as if it were a "checkout". So that means we clean your bathroom, give you a new roll of TP if needed, clean your vanitys, dust vaccum and straighten up your bed. We also rinse out used coffee pots, REPLACE used cups with clean ones ( all dishes get run through dishwasher) and stock any amenities you use up. We take out your trash and turn off your lights. Then the head housekeeper checks these rooms later for thoroughness.

    We never use guest towels to clean things and use a few different rags in every room, so that we always have a fresh one. Once a guest towel is stained or even just worn out we use it as a rag. We are required to clean such small details you wouldn't even think of those things as being dirty.

    We serve a hot breakfast everyday and have a hot tub/steam room that gets cleaned an maintained regularly. We are the only hotel on our side of town that is staffed 24/7 at the front desk so there is always someone to help you.

    Of course all of these perks and guarantees are possible because the hotel is independently owned and small ( about 40 rooms)
    We take pride in our jobs and our hotel and it shows. Our guests are very happy. It has a "home-y; comfortable" feel. We are familiar with the motels across and on either side of us; as trust me, their quality is significantly lower; but you get what you pay for I suppose.
    So for those of you that have the chance to stay at an independent hotel on your travels, I can almost guarantee it is a better value than a fancier, corporate establishment.

    Edit: oh, and we don't charge you for any "extra services". Everything is included in your price of the room; regardless of if you need extra attention or not. The only things we DO charge you for are for stupid things people do, like smoking cigarettes In the room ( you can't hide it!), or lying about having pets (it's much cheaper to be honest about it and pay the extra fee to have them to be charged later for "excess cleaning"). And if you trash the room or puke/p**s on our s**t, or break/steal ANYTHING you will receive a hefty fee. And we have had some very angry parents/card owners complain because things like this happened on thier dime. So be respectful

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    Kathryn Baylis
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    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What hotel and where? Because I would love to stay there. I worked in the travel industry, including hotel front desk and night audit, in everything from roadside HoJo’s to 4 Star 4 Diamond independently owned luxury hotels. Though I hate to tell you, the quality of an independently owned hotel really depends on the owners. If they’re good hotel people who really know their stuff, the quality will be high. If they’re not good hotel people, if they’re not hotel people at all, if they’re skinflints, if they’re assholes, if they’re only in it for “the investment” and will sell with the first good offer, then the quality will be s**t. Good people give good quality, s**t people give s**t quality.

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    #13

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay Often you can find "treasures" left behind by former guests. Rip the room apart! Look under mattress and box spring. In vents. move the night stand and dressers. just be sure to put it back together before you leave. If you stay in enought hotels and do this you will find something left behind. House keepers generally have 10-15 min to clean each room.

    Dont forget to tip!

    former housekeeper here.

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    Juan Ghote
    Juan Ghote
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Generally, don't tip in Australia, it's not a cultural thing for Aussies.

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    #14

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay No longer a hotel worker but: do not use the provided glasses. Or, if you need to, wash them yourself first.

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    #15

    Stayed at a Four Seasons over seas in North Africa. Recently opened. While the male housekeeper was cleaning my bathroom, I cold see him as I sat on the bed. He wiped the toilet, windows, and then cleaned out my drinking glasses with the same towel- FOUR SEASONS hotel.

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    Max M
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    4 stars in 1 country can be 1 star in another. It is all about the culture, morale and knowledge

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    #16

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay if a hotel is "smoke free", and you smoke there, you are liable to get pinned with a $150 or more damages fee. happened at the hotel that i worked at every time someone smoked inside.

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    Isidien Gudmundsdottir
    Isidien Gudmundsdottir
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    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes I smoke but I also had parents who taught me better because, If you have to smoke, go where it is allowed even if you have to go outside and bring one of those closeble ashtrays with you in case there's not a place to put your cigarette out but put that ashtray in your vehicle better yet, smoke in your car. You are a guest there behave like one and not as if you rented a room and everyone is you servant.

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    #17

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay A room can have bedbugs even if you see no evidence of them on the mattress itself. If it's not attached to the wall, looking on the backside of the headboard is always a good idea.

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    #18

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay Well for starters:

    Don't ask us to bring you your wine because we haven't had that spirit here since 1969

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    #19

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay As a person who stays in hotels and... well... I'm Canadian... I wonder if there's anything we can do to make it easier on the housekeeping staff?

    I always tear the sheets and blankets off the bed and leave them in a bundle at the foot, with the pillowcases. I also throw all used towels in the tub/shower, as requested.

    I never touch the extra stuff, like the cups, so they never have to replace any of that s**t, but I always take the shampoo for future traveling that may not include a hotel.

    I leave between two to ten bucks (depending on the length of my stay) on the nightstand with a thank you note, and I always make sure to take care of any of the bending - for example, if I've put anything in the trash can, I will take the bag out myself, or leave the trash can on the desk/table. I have a bad back, so I know how much it can suck to have to bend over constantly, every day.

    Is there anything else I could be doing?

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    #20

    If you have a pet and are looking to stay inexpensively, try a La Quinta. I do not have any affiliation with them, but they've never charged me a pet fee or for trumped-up damages after checkout. They also allow more than one pet per room. May vary based on location, but it is a general rule on their corporate website that they accept animals.

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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LaQuinta also allows large dog breeds. Runner up is Kimpton but only because they're more expensive, but I still love their hotels.

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    #21

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay If anything in the restroom is dirty or seems 'off' to you, it means housekeeping is slacking and/or their morale is low. This is likely the result of negligent management, owners, etc.: The place is rotten to the core, and other rooms aren't likely to be any better.

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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well not true everywhere. I used to be housekeeper for a few months on a well rated hotel and we cleaned up the toilets several times a day and it was always a mess just because ppl are 🐷.

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    #22

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay The hot tubs are disgusting. I used to clean them.

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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve never, and will never use the jacuzzis in hotels🤢

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    #23

    I have held many hotel positions, all in luxury locations. Tip the front desk agent as soon as you walk up. They often keep the best rooms in their back pocket for problem/super awesome guests. Most of the time these room don't cost more (think corner room with more windows). The valet/bellman will run to the store for you to buy cigarettes/booze/anything else. A$k nicely. Ask the valets/doormen about nightlife/restaurants. They are often the ones who actually go out frequently and enjoy the scene. Many concierges will only recommend places that they receive incentives for. And pleasepleaseplease fill out comment cards and use hotel employees names who were good at their job. You have no idea how large of a positive impact this has for the employee.

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    Fwart Deydweg
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tip the front desk!? You have to be kidding. I'm guessing you are American.

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    #24

    Don't bother leaving negative reviews on Trip Advisor. It's hard to change an issue and make your stay better after the fact, and especially when you're bitching online and not directly to the hotel. Let the front desk and/or management know about the issues with your stay WHEN THE ISSUES HAPPEN. It's so difficult to help people or solve what is going on when they let you know as they're leaving or when they leave a shitty online review! If the front desk and/or management genuinely refuse to help you and are just generally shitty unhelpful people, then sure. Let it all out on Trip Advisor. I once had a lady who came in telling her daughter she was ugly, proceeded to scream at me because the person on the 1-800 number she called quoted her a lower rate than what showed up on my screen. She told me I was shitty at my job and pathetic for not knowing what was going on with "my company" .. when she called some call centre in god knows where. This bitch was so rude that she made me cry.. I can't say a lot of guests have made me cry. We take a lot of shit at the front desk. I gave the woman like a 20% discount lower than what was quoted to her on the phone and she still called me pathetic, bitched about our continental breakfast, and wrote a Trip Advisor review stating that I (she mentioned my name!) had the worst customer service she's ever experienced and she is outraged by our terrible breakfast and it's a lie that our internet is free. I had even gone to this woman's room to help her type in the password for our FREE wifi, so I don't even know what crevice of her ass this was pulled out of. But yeah. Just.. don't be a raging asshole.

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    Wang Zhuang
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You really, really have to have a thick skin to work in the hospitality industry. I can't imagine what those people go through each day.

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    #25

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay The smell of smoke is a red flag. If you can smell smoke, it's one of those hotels who says they don't allow it, but do.

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    dream of delusion
    dream of delusion
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i don’t understand how some people can smoke indoors.. the smell usually makes me want to gag, and most of the time that’s me smelling it outside

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    #26

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay If something did not meet your expectations (slow internet, cold water, dirty room), complain about it (NICELY). You might get free points for the inconvenience (sometimes as many as the value of one night stay). If you are staying at a hotel of a chain, and the front desk offers only an apology, call the hotel brand (e.g. reservations/customer care). Hotels of the popular chains are typically franchises, and the management company loves to receive feedback, because a sub-par hotel can affect the reputation of the brand.

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    Seonag Udell
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me my husband and two other couples went to Alton Towers in England. It was my friends 30th birthday so we stayed the night, before visiting the park, in those cute little hobbit cabins. In the morning turns out the other couple we had gone with had no hot water. We complained politely and all 6 of us got VIP passes so we didn't have to wait in any of the lines for the big rollercoaster 's. It was one of my favourite days ever

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    #27

    Currently work Front Desk for a little over 3 years.

    --Don't be a d**k. I can make your stay pretty shitty.

    --If you watch a movie and say that you didn't, I can see how long you watched it and what you watched so be careful if you're trying to get some free movies, expecially if it's on a work account. I will fax that s**t straight to your boss.

    --If you have your Do Not Disturb sign up all day and take it down at 7:30 pm, don't expect to have your room cleaned. Call the desk and we will give you the extra linens, toiletries etc.

    --At least speak a little bit of the language of the country you're in. It's really f*****g frustrating to use hand signals and draw pictures while trying to get your information

    --If you have a problem with your room, don't wait until the morning to complain and try to get a discount. If you didn't call the desk for help, then obviously it wasn't a big deal and you're just being cheap.

    --If you book through a third party site and you don't specify what type of room you want, you will get whatever is leftover. It will most likely be a smoking room or handicapped accessible. Can't blame us, blame the third party site. If you want the proper room at least call the hotel to verify your reservation information.

    EDIT**
    Wear sandals in the showers. PLEASE. And bring your own pillows and blankets. You'll feel better.

    Front desk staff are people too, don't treat us like animals. We also accepts tips.

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    Mitchell
    Mitchell
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always travel with my pillow. Hotel pillows don’t get washed and people put body parts other than their head on them.

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    #28

    A little tip from someone who runs a hotel:

    It's fine if you find hotels through sites like expedia, priceline or hotels.com but once narrowed down you should try and call the hotel and get a better rate. I pay a commission for every room booked through a travel agency and I pass that cost down to you by raising rates on those sites. I know most of the hotels in my area do this and if they won't offer you a cheaper they'll often times give you an upgrade.

    I don't really do this for big holiday weekends like July 4th so YMMV then.

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    Libstak
    Libstak
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I tried this and no discount was available, if I wanted the discount I had to book thru the 3rd party. Seems like a lot of the larger chains have staff who just won't want to make a decision on pricing not already approved by their head office bean counters.

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    #29

    Worked night shift at a lower-end chain hotel for a while. If you're going to check in very, very late/early (2-4am), try to call to let us know a couple hours ahead of time. Many hotels do the night audit around 3am which effectively turns the day over, so checking in around then can be inconvenient and irritating for both of us, and I can pretty much do whatever I want in that case.

    For instance, you come in at 2am Saturday morning, but I haven't run the audit yet, so to the computer it's still Friday. Technically, I'm supposed to check you in, charge you the regular daily rate, and you have to be out in 9 hours for check out Saturday morning (again, to the computer you're just checking in very late on Friday).

    However, I'm happy to give you a room key, let you get settled, then have you come back in half an hour after I've run audit to officially check you in then, so instead of 9 hours, you pay the same for 33 hours. There's also an early check-in fee that - providing we're not booked solid - I'm happy to "forget" to key in as well.

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    Faye Przepioski
    Faye Przepioski
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup. I've done this and that's what the front desk has me do. Super awesome.

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    #30

    Do not use the ice bucket without a liner. It may have been used as a puke receptacle.

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    #31

    A lot of those competing hotel websites are actually owned by the same people.

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    #32

    Don't try to screw over a hotel. Don't skip out on paying, or refuse to leave a room. If you have property in a rented room and you do not pay your rent, the hotel is under almost no obligation to let you retrieve your things out of said room. Most hotels have a shit list, and sometimes we share them. If you are a big enough prick there could be dozens if not more hotels that wont rent to you.

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    Kathryn Baylis
    Kathryn Baylis
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also, don’t go back into your room after checking out (if the code hasn’t changed or they’re still on a key system) to clean up after going to the beach or whatever—-the room is no longer yours at that time! Because you have just undone the cleaning of the room, and it will have to be torn apart and re-cleaned—-AND you will definitely be charged the full price of the second cleaning.

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    #33

    Learn how Debit cards work for Christ sake people! It doesn't work the same as a Credit card and will get taken right out of your account so the hotel knows they will get paid. You also get authorized for more money on top in case of incidentals and no they will not take it off, they don't know you and are not going to take that chance. Also if you want to pay with cash expect to put a $100 deposit down for the room. All of this is management rules. Not the desk you are not going to gain anything by yelling at them.

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    Bec
    Bec
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I teach some basic finance and I have so many students who say they will never get a credit card, probably because their parents had bad experience, but it makes me sad because that will also make it really hard for them to ever travel. I teach them how to avoid the fees and interest and explain that I actually come out ahead because I never pay interest but get money back from points.

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    #34

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay When you book with a website (not the hotel's), you often can't change your reservation with the hotel because your contract is actually with whatever site you used. Cancellations, refunds and the like are out of our hands. It usually doesn't matter, but it's always good to know. Prices can also vary, you won't always get a better deal on the travel site. You essentially now have two people making money off of you instead of one. It really depends on availability and nightly rates, which change all the time.

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    Rachknits
    Rachknits
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    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was told by a hotel that if the booking site was offering a lower price than booking directly then to give them a call because they'll always match the lower price because they'll avoid paying a commission fee

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    #35

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay Immediately check under the bed for trash

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    Wang Zhuang
    Wang Zhuang
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep. Although there will certainly be times you wish you hadn't checked.

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    #36

    Know what services the hotel has before you arrive. I work at a limited service hotel where our 3 major perks are free internet, free breakfast, and free local calls.. it's pretty basic and gets really annoying when guests are outraged by the fact that we don't have a pool or a restaurant or a gym. It takes a two second Google search to figure this out and saves you from looking like an idiot when you're angry about something you should have known in the first place.

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    Mistiekim
    Mistiekim
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amenities is one of the first things I check before booking. Why wouldn’t you???

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    #37

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay As a frequent business traveler and a frequent drinker, I have found out that the bottom of the ironing board can usually be used as a bottle opener.

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    #38

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay "When the towels and linens smell mostly like bleach — red flag."

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    gie
    gie
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A woman in the UK ended up with bleach burns from a hotels face cloths that weren't rinsed out properly. Hotel linen services use use industrial cleaners, so do the extra packing and bring your own face and wash cloth at least. I bring a Korean style wash cloth bc they dry fast, inexpensive, and durable.

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    #39

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay We give free toothbrushes, deodorant, slippers and rubber ducks to anyone who asks. If you go to the front desk late at night when the auditor is working and ask, "can I have some free stuff?" They will probably give you something.

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    #40

    Perhaps a little late to the party, but I'd **strongly** suggest you carefully read where you're making your reservation. Most hotels now have their own website and, more importantly, imitators. You're not (very) likely to get your credit card stolen, but you are likely to be getting overcharged and/or have your reservation bungled. I've had probably hundreds of bizarre requests offered to people which we physically cannot fulfill -- by third-party agencies that would claim to be working for the hotel.

    TLDR: Make sure you're checking the website for the hotel, not an advertisement that looks like their hotel.

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    Katherine Boag
    Katherine Boag
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Clicked through to a hotel website once from a major 3rd party booking site and got 100 pop ups, and awkwardly it was on a work pc. Had to shut down and call IT and they had to fix it after hours as it was right on 5pm :s

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    #41

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay Look at the bathroom in the pictures on their site. If it is super nice, usually the rest of the hotel is, too. If it’s just a standard looking bathroom, dig deeper before booking

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    21stCenturyLesbian
    21stCenturyLesbian
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've stayed in many an exemplary holiday inn without a special bathroom. I think it's got more to do with choosing your hotel wisely

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    #42

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay If you need a crib, call ahead. At our hotel, we only have eight cribs, and it isn't all too uncommon for them all to be lent out on our busiest days. Call ahead and see if we have any available or if we can set one aside for you

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    RandomFrog
    RandomFrog
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When my lil brother was still young ( were talking 1-3yrs) would do this all the time and they always had cribs.

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    #43

    Be nice to concierges, seriously. We can help you make it one of the best nights you have in our city, impress your SO or generally hook it up for you. Be a jerk and I will drag my feet to do anything for you.

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    Gaya Knust
    Gaya Knust
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How about being nice to everyone (unless that person deserved it)? I find it a tad depressing that in those types of posts people have to "remind" everyone else to be nice to the employees responsible for your room, food, etc, and that reflects on the number of people who must behave like complete arseholes to staff.

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    #44

    Not a hotel worker, but I have some advice:

    Wipe down parts of your room when you get there with some Clorox wipes.
    You have no idea how many people don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom and touch that handle you just touched before you started eating your food.

    Do you want someones shitness on your sandwich?

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    #45

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay I've worked in 2 different hotels. In both, the coffee was never changed between about 11 am and 4:30-5 am the next day. If you want a cup of coffee between those times, ask. I'll be more than happy to brew a fresh pot for you.

    bookishgeek , Taisiia Shestopal Report

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    Scotira
    Scotira
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    😳 OMG 🙈 I feel truely sorry for all of you in the US. For coffee: the Italian way it is 😅 fresh with every cup.

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    #46

    My friend and I stayed at 9 different hotels in 10 days, and we always asked the price and discussed it between us before agreeing to stay - every single person said "this is the last available room for tonight"

    It truly made us wonder if this was a universal trick for all hotels

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    #47

    If you encounter a problem, do not deal with it all night and then demand a discount in the morning. We want to fix problems, not compensate for them. Plus, if you stayed the whole night with, as you say, the loudest heater in the world, then to me, it couldn't have been that bad; otherwise you would have wanted it fixed right away. Waiting until the next morning tells me the problem was either not a problem at all, or just enough of a problem to leverage for a discount. Either way I won't take it seriously. However, call me as soon as you notice something unsatisfactory (this is why it helps to check everything you intend to use in the room before unpacking) and I WILL fix it for you, often upgrading you to a nicer room because I feel bad.

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    Brandon Walker
    Brandon Walker
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some people don't want to move rooms at 3 in the morning just because a front desk person would rather do that than compensate for it the next day, we know you have to be awake because it's your shift, that doesn't mean we should need to stay awake, also, it's not really about how YOU want to solve SOMEONE ELSES problem, they are the one with the problem, it's about what they find satisfactory, don't get me wrong, they should be polite, but this one's on here like three times as if people actually think it's reasonable for someone who has to be out early in the morning for a meeting, or a drive, or whatever else, to stay up at midnight to talk to front desk, wait on maint to try and fix the issue, and then move all their stuff to a new room in the middle of the night, and now it's 345 am, and they have to wake up in 2 hrs, all because that's a little favorable to the guy who has to be up all those hours anyway for their scheduled work shift .

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    #48

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay Maybe everyone knows this, but if you want fresh towels you should put the towels on the floor. If you hang them they will not be changed and you'll have to ask for new ones.

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    Mitchell
    Mitchell
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have the opposite experience and it annoys me. The hotel has a little card saying they are environmentally friendly and will only change towels that aren’t hung, yet they change mine daily even if they are hung. That’s not environmentally friendly. Neither is throwing out the little bar of soap that I used ONCE and replacing it with a new one.

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    #49

    Anything left in the rooms that is taken to the lost amd found is considered up for grabs after a week.

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    FreshGanesh
    FreshGanesh
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Again, this speaks to type of hotel and quality. Our HK dept catalogues all finds and it goes to guest services and is mailed to the guest once we’ve contacted them. It doesn’t matter if it’s an earbud or tennis bracelet. Recently had a guest who left a metal golf tee. It initially looked like it may be unworthy to claim, but it was actually a vintage Tiffany’s trinket worth more than most items left behind. You just never know. Best to return if possible v

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    #50

    THEY DON'T WASH THE DUVETS.

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    FreshGanesh
    FreshGanesh
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This depends on the quality of the property/brand. We wash every piece of bedding and sanitize pillows between quests. We’re an independent autograph property, so may have better standards than most. We send no-res or overflow guests to one of three nearby properties and the cheaper of them has same standards. An aside: a lot of hotels have done away with duvets and now use throws & the like. We do all white sheets with a thin duvet & white protector/cover with no real cover and a thin blanket folded at bottom (it’s never cold) and it all gets washed.

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    #51

    Don't come up to the front desk expecting me to know what room you're in! I see so many people every day I can't tell you apart from all the rooms we have.

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    #52

    If you want to extend your stay another night, for the love of god let the front desk know BEFORE 11am on the day you were supposed to check out. So many people do this and it annoys me to the highest degree!! Same goes for late check outs... if you'd like to stay after the 11am checkout time, TELL SOMEONE before the fact!

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    Angelia Rhodes
    Angelia Rhodes
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And why does it matter? Housekeeping!!! there are schedules based on check ins/out, and it all has to be done by 3, which is when the stampede begins.

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    #53

    please try to understand that the front desk agents, housekeeping staff, and maintenance staff do not make the rules. If we say "Sorry, check in is at 3pm" or "unfortunately we can't take a bed out of one room and out it into yours" it's because there are rules in place set by management for a reason. Plus, book another room. Like I'm really gonna give the ok to drag a bed out of the adjacent room and haul it into yours.

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    Duh
    Duh
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fire codes generally dictate the number of beds in a room in the US

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    #54

    The remotes for the TV are rarely cleaned.

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    Hiram's Friend
    Hiram's Friend
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stayed at one hotel, don't remember where, where the remotes were in a little plastic bag. Ecologically unsound, but most likely clean.

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    #55

    I only worked for a short while at two separate hotels and was a part of the engineering department. I don't know a whole lot about the rooms, the closest I got was in the down time we folded a fuckload (I believe that's the official word for it) worth of towels in the downtime.

    Anyways, we cleaned the hot tubs every week, which is good, but when a coworker explained to me why, I didn't ever want to go in one again. (It honestly was huge a pain.) It's not the reasons you'd expect, people don't usually have sex in them (that I knew of, and I was down there all the time during my shift), but disgusting nonetheless. I won't get into the details, but just trust me, they're disgusting.

    Which brings me to the next point: if the hot tub is cold, we probably just cleaned it and it didn't have the chance to heat up. So be grateful that you aren't swimming in whatever you would have been. (I honestly am a little skeptical of my coworker, but it doesn't seem too far fetched.)

    Also, if the hot tub is cold, or for whatever reason you have a complaint, be vocal (but polite) about it. We're people too, and we feel good about doing a good job, but we also have special privileges that we can share "tell the bar/restaurant dimodo comped your next meal/coffee/drink/whatever because [hotel] promised a hot tub and it was being cleaned". However, if we feel we're being put on the defensive, we probably won't think of it or if we do, we probably won't help you

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    RJ
    RJ
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I dunno about y'all, but I'm adding "fuckload' to MY spellchecker dictionary.

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    #56

    I just found out that if you are caught smoking in a non-smoking hotel and you have not checked out yet, they can (and probably will) charge you an extra $200+ in damage. They then have to decommission the room for a day.

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    Brenda
    Brenda
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I smoke. Many places have a few smoking rooms, but they all have smoking areas. No need to smoke in a non-smoking room

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    #57

    Wash the glasses or use your own. I hear many housekeepers just wipe them clean.

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    BusLady
    BusLady
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A lot of places have cups wrapped in plastic. I wouldn't drink out of them otherwise.

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    #58

    Hi, I work at a hostel and my advice is if you can't get something from one receptionist wait for another shift and ask again. Some people are just good and will give you anything. And when complaining - please be polite, not arrogant - you'll get a better service. And if you are in a foreign country and you don't speak good English - smile! You'll get a better service. Don't speak french when I've already told you that I don't understand.

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    #59

    look up the hotel ahead of time for directions and dining options. I can't tell you how many people call us and are lost and just tell us "I'm on 80 west". We can't pin point where you are on the freeway. If I say to look out for the Adams avenue exit ( not all of them have an actual exit number) and you passed it up already, you might end up in San Francisco (happened twice). Use the power of the Internet!!!!!

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    #60

    don't leave valuables in your car. Even with security on the premises, two or four eyes can't watch the whole hotel at once. What good is recorded video if your [things] is already gone.

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    #61

    Hotels love charging smokers. It's really not worth even trying. A towel doesnt help.

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    #62

    If you stay more than 10 nights a year in hotels, SIGN UP FOR ONE OF THE REWARDS PROGRAMS! Seriously, most of them are free and as long as you can handle a few spam emails and sales calls you are golden. It is certainly worth it, there is normally a base % discount you get just for having the membership, plus the staff treats you well in case you write a review online.

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    #63

    If you encounter a problem, you'll get further by not being an @$$ to the staff. Including upgrades, refunds, et cetera. We like giving that stuff to the nice people.

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    #64

    As a former housekeeper, never use the glasses, unless they are plastic and sealed.
    Take sanitizer wipes to use on remotes, door handles etc.
    Avoid the comforter as its rarely washed.

    If you are staying in a hotel for an extended period of time, be nice to your room (and therefore your housekeepers). I've worked with cleaners who've done some nasty stuff to dirty tenant's rooms.

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    ellenranks avatar
    Diolla
    Diolla
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always do my best to give the cleaner as little work as possible. All garbage in the trash, take off bed sheets, not touch the bed next to me at all, put everything back where it originally was, etc.

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    #65

    Security deposits/Damage deposit:
    I had this one woman argue with me for half an hour about this. She did not understand why she needed to put down a $200 cash/debit deposit because she did not have a credit card. She even said, "I promise I won't break anything or take anything!"
    It took one of our regular guests to walk up to her, tell her the exact same thing in the exact same words before she finally left.
    Basically, yes we do need a deposit if you pay in cash or debit. We will hold that on your credit card too if you are paying with credit card. Why do we need it? What if you break something or take something? What if you smoke in the room? We must have SOME way to cover our a*s.

    Another unrelated tip:
    Don't walk up to the desk and check out, while reeking like weed or cigarette (if checking out of a non-smoking room). I will be a douche and send someone up to your room right away to check for evidence (kinda my job description as supervisor/MoD)

    On a semi-related note:
    Ontario will allow smoking in stairwells, but Alberta does not. I always thought that was kind of weird.

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    #66

    don't get all butthurt when you don't get a rare you saw online or at another hotel. Houses in nicer towns cost more and houses in shitty towns cost less. Same logic applies to hotels.

    most hotel agents can't just whip up a magic rate. We (I) can't lower your rate without a corporate discount code/AAA/ AARP/ Govt./ etc. Our managers get a day report that actually shows rate changes. Is saving $10 really worth having someone get written up?.

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    Brenda
    Brenda
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Call the specific location you are interested in and verify rates

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    #67

    DO NOT trust the hotel info on Expedia or other third party booking sites %100. Some will that we offer a 24 hour shuttle service when it only runs from 7am-10pm. Some Expedia agents even pretend to be staff members at our hotel! (You call, they say they'll transfer you to us, transfer you to another Expedia employee). Happened several times.

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    Aileen Grist
    Aileen Grist
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was looking to book a fortnight in Christchurch, Hampshire, UK. That's what I put in the search area. I came very near to booking a really cheap room with fridge and everything - I only realised where it was when it said handy for the airport. Expedia nearly had me booking Christchurch, New Zealand!!

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    #68

    Front Desk Clerk here:

    1. Be aware of the kind of hotel you're going to.
    2. Say you have AAA or CAA, usually most people will just say OK and not check the card.
    3. When you book online, you're paying the booking company, not us. It's a third party sale. We sell the rooms to the website, and they sell them to you.

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    #69

    Not a hotel worker, but if you want to try and cut a deal with a hotel rate call at night when the night manager is on duty. They're usually more likely to work with you.

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    #70

    For f**k's sake do not use a travel agent. Their incentives are all perverse. I've seen agents book rooms at a ridiculous rate, and they sometimes even decline discounts when they are offered.

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    #71

    Free phone chargers!!! Just ask!

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    paulscommercial avatar
    Hiram's Friend
    Hiram's Friend
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They come out the lost and found box. Play it forward and return them when you check out.

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    #72

    Tip the housekeepers!

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    BusLady
    BusLady
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes! They work hard. You wouldn't believe what pigs some guests are.

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    #73

    ask about transportation or shuttle services ahead of time.

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    #74

    If you don't want to be disturbed then use the sign. You would be amazed at how frequently hotel staff walk in on people who didn't bother with it.

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    RJ
    RJ
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually... you'd be amazed at how many times room service ignored my 'Do Not Disturb' sign and walked right on in.

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    #75

    Tip the front desk staff. We like that :)

    Also when you get a survey, via email, don't just click random numbers (1-10 satisfaction scale usually) they actually matter. But be honest of course. And...I wouldn't walk around barefoot in the rooms. FILTHY CARPETS.

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    Megan Curl
    Megan Curl
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would tip the chambermaid upon arrival before the front desk person. The maid makes a difference. I’ve never even heard of tipping reception.

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    #76

    Many things such as fans, heaters and even bathrobes might be something stored in one place in the hotel, if you need something you should ask for it, it's not always in every room.

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    #77

    I worked for the ritz carlton for a few years. In my orientation, the HR rep told everyone that each employee has a special allowance of $1,500 to make sure they can help the guests feel like their stay would be memorable. There was a story about a guest who lost his Rolex and asked the front desk if they had seen it or one of the maids took it and complained a lot. When the guest finally left, the guy from the front desk went out and purchased the guest a new rolex and was reimbursed fully by the ritz. The guest was extra happy and is now returning to the same property every year. So, every Ritz Carlton employee in the U.S. has a $1,500 account for guests if needed. Not many people know that.

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    Rod
    Rod
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In 2020 the cheapest Rolex on the catalogue was $5700 so it looks like this story is just BS...

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    #78

    Don't have a credit card? Or only have a credit card with a small amount of money on it? For some reason, booking.com is the only online site (that our motel uses, anyway) that does NOT check the validity of credit cards when you book a room. I have used this knowledge to my advantage by using worthless prepaid/gift credit cards to book the "non-refundable" rates on their website, which is usually about 10% less than the refundable rates. I then simply call the motel and tell them that they will be unable to preauth my credit card, and that I will be paying with Debit when I arrive. This has not yet failed to work.

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    Kay Phillips
    Kay Phillips
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Booking com absolutely checks the validity of the card. Just two weeks ago I received an email that my card didn't have enough money for the reservation I did on booking, and the booking would be canceled if I didn't add a card with enough money.

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    #79

    The glasses for toothbrushes are not always washed since the cleaners are in a hurry, often they are just held under the tap and rinsed (if even that). Check for lip prints.

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    BusLady
    BusLady
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Better than being wiped with a towel that was just used to wipe the toilet. Lol

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    #80

    Don't assume that anyone will see the special request field in your reservation OR be able to accommodate your requests even if they do see it.

    If I have one room left and it's a smoking room, you can't just write "NON SMOKING ROOM THANKS" in the request field and then call me a "stupid f*****g b***h" when you end up with a smoking room anyway.

    Well, you can actually. But then you can't be surprised when I kick your a*s out into the cold without a refund.

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    BusLady
    BusLady
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What am I missing here? If you request a non-smoking room for health reasons and they give you a smoking room, you shouldn't insult the staff. But what do you do now when you might not be able to get another reservation somewhere else? You made the reservation in good faith and they ignored a valid request?

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    #81

    Some places (Super 8) charge for the room safe unless you tell them you won't use it.

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    #82

    Never use a Park, Sleep and Fly service at an airport hotel. No one is watching the car, it just sits there for however long youre away, and no one at the hotel really gives a c**p about your car. Most of the time it isn't even monitored. Youre better off leaving your car at home and taking a taxi to the airport.

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    Bec
    Bec
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    1) like someone is watching it in the airport lot either. 2) not everyone lives within taxi distance of an airport, or the shuttle service is unreliable

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    #83

    Your breakfast food is likely always been handled in an unsanitary manner during set up. (typically desk clerk in lower end hotels)

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    #84

    Don't just slap your expensive car keys on the counter and ask what the room rate is; I will double or triple the going rate because I know you can pay and you're most likely exhausted and wont bother to go elsewhere.

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    #85

    Quit being such assholes. Im at work on every holiday while you are there enjoying time with family, so quit being a d**k about petty s**t.

    Also, The front desk is in charge of your room and the room rate. If your mad at the restaurant talk to your waiter, dont pay your bill and then come b***h to me at the desk about what your waiter did. Also, quit lying. Just tell us the truth about whatever your situation is and im more likley to help you. Finally and most importantly, if you name drop big whips in the property or corporate office about how they always take care of you, I will immediatly give you the shittiest room in the hotel. People are here on their anniversaries, birthdays, and weddings, they need a suite more than you do because your f*****g dog is sick so you wanted to stay close to the vet.

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    #86

    Only stayed in hotels before, but here is a few, small tips:

    - Keep as much as possible in one spot. Unless you are to spend a long time, it's pointless to put clothing into the provided cabinets.
    - Plastic cups and fork/knives are great, cardboard plates, too.
    - Try to keep yourself to drinks from cardboard containers. You can throw them away with ease.
    - Food/snacks with minimal waste is the best kind. Try to avoid eating at all in the room, tho.
    - Keep waste at a minimum, and gather it in the same bin.
    - One towel for hands, one for body (after shower/bath).
    - Sexy time? Put a large towel under your privates. They may change sheets, but the mattress... No...
    - An external HDD with some movies connected to your laptop is better than the c**p on TV. Cheap rooms rarely have good TV.

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    Rachknits
    Rachknits
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    2 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    #87

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay If continental breakfast is included, probably a bad sign

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    #88

    Not a hotel worker but it should be common knowledge that the sheets are f*****g nasty.

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    #89

    50 Hotel Workers Share The Red Flags To Look Out For During Your Next Stay be prepared if you have a special diet, are allergic to gluten, or are vegan. Ask about the food options in the area but don't be surprised if the desk agent doesn't know any good places to get gluten free food, especially if the person you're asking probably eats just about anything seeing as how they're overweight.

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