Hotel etiquette
Things you know, but I'll tell you again.
I don’t know when it started bothering. Maybe sometime last week. I was sitting in a hotel lobby, and I caught sight of someone on FaceTime to their relative on speaker, no headphones, all while they were rearranging the throw pillows. It wasn’t malicious, but it was certainly misplaced energy.
In that moment, it struck me how many people don’t know how to exist in hotels, or most public spaces for that matter. They know how to occupy them, indeed, but not how to actually move through them with ease or awareness.
When we better understand hotel etiquette, our entire experience of it can shift. Things feel smoother.
While not everything warrants your best behaviour, there is something to be said about being a considered guest, and it makes your stay more meaningful. When you’re mindful of your surroundings, the hotel and its staff are mindful of you.
Here’s me reminding you of what you already know.
Don’t treat the staff like staff.
The hotel team is not here to serve you. Hear me out. They’re here to help you. The difference matters. You can always tell who’s travelled well by how they greet and engage with the staff.
If you can afford to, tip well, especially for housekeeping. If you’re not sure how much, $5-10 per day in a standard hotel, more in a luxury one. It’s preferable to hand it directly to a staff member, but if you can’t, leave it clearly on display. Either way, don’t overthink it too much.
Housekeeping is not a reset button.
Just because someone is there to clean up after you doesn’t mean we get to behave like frat boys on a bender. You don’t have to Marie Kondo the room, but try not to leave a trail of destruction in your wake either. Used towels can be placed in one spot, and any rubbish can be gathered.
Also, I think it’s courteous to make the bed. Of course, it won’t be as neat as when housekeeping comes and does their magic, but it’s a small gesture that goes a long way.
If you want your room made up while you’re out, be sure to call housekeeping before leaving. Don’t assume they’ll guess your schedule.
Remember, you’re not at home.
You are allowed to enjoy yourself. That’s the whole point. But there’s a difference between settling in and staging a full redesign. Absolutely feel free to adjust the air con. But maybe don’t move the bed or armchair to face the window.
Outside of the room, try not to treat communal spaces like your own personal office. This means we’re definitely not taking calls in dining areas, but if you can’t escape it, at least keep your voice at normal volume.
Sound travels.
Speaking of volume, hallways are not the place to recap your dinner plans or debate whether to swim or nap. Hotel acoustics can be deceptive. What feels like a normal conversation can easily echo down the entire floor. This is especially something to be mindful of at nighttime, if you’re arriving late or returning slightly tipsy.
Dress the part.
Taking the effort to wear something appropriate is a sign of respect. I’m not saying you have to be dressed to the nines, but you do need to be intentional about what you choose to put on. Subconsciously, your clothes set the tone for how you experience a place. And they also set the tone for how the place receives you. I’m not here to tell you what you should or shouldn’t wear, but the bare minimum is to avoid pyjamas at breakfast.
Be considerate if capturing content.
A quick room tour or a photo of that golden hour lighting? Go for it. But try not to turn shared spaces into a full-blown production set. It’s lovely to capture the moment—just make sure you’re not overtaking it.
A thank you note upon check out.
Something I think is ever so sweet is when someone leaves a small note on the provided paper, saying “Thank you, I had a wonderful stay.” If you’re not able to leave a note, definitely say it in person to the front desk when checking out. If you didn’t have a nice time, well, that’s another story. But in any case, checking out in person is polite. It signals you were truly present and pleasant to host.
Let’s wrap this up.
I want to emphasise the following:
Hotels are designed to be escapes, yes, but they’re also ecosystems. They can be different when you move through them with respect, and in return, you get a stay that is exceptional. Besides, as we know, good manners don’t cost a penny.
A short and sweet one this week. Thank you for reading! If there’s an etiquette rule you swear by, I’d love to hear it in the comments. Until next Friday!