Hotel Etiquette - 10 Simples Rules for a Pleasant Stay

Picture this scenario: you’re lounging at a hotel’s swimming pool—just like the picture above. All your worries have melted away, and all that’s left to think about is just how amazing the view is.

There’s absolutely nothing to worry about. Why? Because you’re a fine guest at a quality establishment.

Staying at hotels is, and should be, a relaxing experience. You should be able to enjoy their facilities and amenities to the fullest.

Good hotels will do what they can to make guests feel welcome during their stay. But as much as hotel staff should work hard for that, guests should do their part too. That means reciprocating staff’s courtesy and treating fellow guests with respect.

When we’re in hotels during vacations, we sometimes forget our manners at home. How can we keep ourselves in check while enjoying our stays?

Be on your best behavior by following basic hotel etiquette. These 10 practices should help you have a pleasant experience.

1. Clean as you go

A hotel’s housekeeping crew is the group keeping your room clean. However, it pays to tidy up what you can! It doesn’t hurt to make a housekeeper’s job a little easier.

Don’t leave your dirty clothes on the floor as if it’s your house. Not only does it make walking challenging, but you’ll also come across as untidy. You don’t want to leave that impression!

Don’t know what to do with a room service tray after finishing your meal? Place the plates, cutlery, and glassware that came with your order on the tray and leave them outside your room’s door. You may wait for housekeepers to pick up the tray, but it’s better if you call room service staff and give them the head’s up.

2. Dress appropriately

We know it’s tempting to roam around your chosen hotel in your best swimwear or pajamas. As comfy and convenient as they are, they’re not always the best outfit choices for every hotel occasion.

If you need to welcome someone into your room or head outside, please sport decent attire. Don’t forget to don appropriate footwear as well because going barefoot is an absolute no-no! No one needs to see body parts that shouldn’t be seen.

3. Practice politeness wherever you go

Good manners are the core of proper hotel etiquette for guests. Being polite towards hotel staff and fellow guests isn’t a tall order, no?

Whether your stay has inconveniences or not, rudeness isn’t welcome in hotels. Hotel employees are human like us, so upping your politeness will encourage them to do better jobs.

For example, let’s say there’s been a mix-up with room keys. The best way to address this problem is by politely notifying the front desk staff about the matter, which they’ll 100% acknowledge and apologize for. They may even give you a drink on the house (free) or extra additions to your room to make up for the dilemma.

4. Observe hotel policy

Before you book your reservation, do your research on your preferred hotel(s). You may have questions like, for example, the number of allowable guests in one room. A violation like lying about the number of guests in a hotel room can be enough to eject you from the premises.

Can you bring a guest to your hotel room? Yes, as long as you register their name at the reception area. This lets the staff know you’re not smuggling a visitor. Just make sure they don’t overstay and attract management’s attention.

Guests can take specific items from their hotel rooms with them. These include toiletries and stationery. However, don’t attempt to bring common items like robes and towels home with you!

Even hotels have rules. Regardless of the accommodation you’re staying in, best stay safe and follow their policy.

5. Keep noise at a minimum

In order not to disturb other guests, it’s important to keep noise to a minimum. Not all hotels have proper soundproofing. Many accommodations observe “quiet time,” which usually lasts from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. During those hours, guests should observe silence.

Some sounds are allowed, such as hushed conversations. Just don’t allow them to turn into full-blown noise that disturbs others.

6. Handle items with care

Do hotels have steamers and other fancy perks that come with your room? If so, that’s great! But here’s a friendly reminder: you’re only lending them. You should use them with care—unless you don’t mind paying for damages, repairs, and replacements. Treat everything in your room as if you’re in your second house.

Should you accidentally break or damage something, report and admit the accident to the relevant staff. Staff may not even charge you if your honesty shows through.

7. Be mindful of times and schedules

Hotel etiquette doesn’t require rushing from guests.

However, it does expect them to be alert of designated times and schedules, like restaurant hours and pool operating times. So, if you can’t check in or out during their specified times, let the concierge know ahead to work something out.

8. Manage your children’s behavior

Are you bringing kids? Show you care about others by keeping a watchful eye on them.

People expect children to behave energetically, but loud and unruly children can be a nuisance. While they’re free to play around and enjoy themselves, make sure their actions don’t spiral into uncontrollable chaos. No one wants to see and hear screaming unsupervised kids running around!

9. Pay attention to the hotel atmosphere

Each of a hotel’s amenities comes with its own rules and vibes.

Let’s say you want to work on your deadlines alone and in silence, only to find the hotel’s café or working space crowded. You can’t just tell people to shut up and get out! The best solution is to work in a quieter spot or look for a different area or establishment. Can you stay in your hotel room all day? That’s also a viable option.

The point here is to match your surroundings’ atmosphere. It won’t do if your attitude negatively stands out to fellow guests emitting different vibes.

10. Give constructive feedback

At the end of their stay, hotels usually ask guests to answer a quick survey. We highly recommend answering them seriously and honestly.

Why? You’ll help hotels provide better service. There’s nothing wrong with highlighting their best parts and constructively pointing out areas for improvement. You may even get a reward for your feedback!

Even though they’re used for accommodation, hotels are still public spaces. Believe us when we say that it’s in your (and everyone else’s) best interest to display proper hotel etiquette!

Most of these tips are rooted in common sense, so treat this entry as a refresher on hotel rules. You’d be a guest that hotels would love to have again if you treated everyone with respect and decency during your stay.