Acting with grace and class at hotels is about the common, greater good. It comes from the knowledge that you're not an island, but part of a community during your stay. Aside from applying the golden rule to the way you interact with other guests, treating hotel staff with respect goes a long way as far as building them up and ensuring you'll be treated well in return.
Last week as part of this month's travel etiquette refresher, we featured tipping etiquette which is closely related to this week's topic: hotel guest etiquette. Since we've all woken up by the loud hall yellers and disturbed by the poolside cell phone talkers, along with the Fairmont Pacific Rim's Director of Housekeeping, here are some suggestions for how to be a good hotel guest respecting others' vacations or business trips.
In Your Room
- Don't leave a giant mess for the housekeeper. Think about the number of rooms they have to clean---don't be one of their horror stories. Also, if you expect daily cleaning, consider tipping as a thanks...
- Remember, housekeeping staff are in charge of cleaning the room, not tidying your giant mess.
- Gather all your towels and place them in the bathtub, as well as put the blankets back on the bed, a) because it's nice to do, and b) you might find something under one of those towels or blankets.
- Leave your valuables {passports, jewelry, etc... in the in-room safe}. {Trip Styler Tip: to avoid forgetting your valuables in the safe, put something you won't forget in the safe, or write a sticky note to yourself on the door or bathroom mirror.}
- Quiet hours are in place for a reason. Don't forget about your TV and radio/iPod volume either...
- Most hotel room doors are not soundproof, so late night/early morning loud talkers/screamers or hallway runners are not appreciated, and other guests don't take well to an interruption in their beauty sleep. It's always my practice to talk in a low decibel during the day and whisper at night when walking back to my hotel room.
- Most hotel doors are heavy and loud, so be courteous to those around you by guiding your door shut at night or in the morning, so there isn't a big slam every time you enter and exit the room.
At the Pool/Beach
- No loud cell phone talking! If you must, go to a private area to carry-out the rest of your conversation.
- A little PDA {public display of affection} is cute, but too much and it's awkward.
- If there's only one pool, be respectful of those around you {this includes your volume}.
- Don't save pool/beach loungers at 6am and then arrive to claim them at 11am.
- In addition to the above point, don't leave your pool towels sitting on your chair when you're done. It's courteous to other guests and the hotel to either drop them in the hamper, or advise the attendant that you are finished with them.
- Although you may be the only guests at or in the pool doesn’t mean that you can’t be seen. Many guestrooms have views that overlook the beach or pool so activities and/or noise levels should be conducted accordingly.
Housekeeping Tips {by the Fairmont Pacific Rim}
- Let us make your stay memorable! Join the hotel’s loyalty program before you arrive and enjoy a range of benefits. At Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, for example, members of the Fairmont President’s Club receive complimentary newspaper of their choice, free local phone calls, and use of BMW bicycles, along with the Fairmont Fit program which provide use of running shoes, shorts and tshirt so you don’t have to pack your running gear. {Editor's Note: I am passionate about the Fairmont President's Club Benefits (one of best in the industry) and have been a loyal member for 3 years. However, being an online trip stylist, I often stay with other hotels too, and when I do, I always make sure to join their loyalty program before my arrival for the value-added benefits.}
- If there are allergies or sensitivities, let the hotel know in advance so they can make your hotel stay an enjoyable one. Hypo-allergic pillows and duvets can replace feather items.
- A hotel wants to provide a “home away from home” during your stay and their main priority is the safety of guests. Use common sense when visiting, ie, don’t prop your guestroom door open with the deadbolt while you dash down the hall to get some ice.
- Before you depart, do a last minute check…it’s surprising how many guests leave items in the safety deposit box, in the closet or on the back of doors! {Editor's Note: This is so true! I recently had to have my Mac laptop's power cord shipped back from my hotel room in Mexico...}
- A hotel wants to provide a comfortable environment and does its utmost to ensure that facilities are in top condition. If there is something wrong, let the front desk know so that it can be rectified. Let us have the chance to make it better.
{Editor's Note: this post is not sponsored by the Fairmont Pacific Rim. I asked them to contribute a) so readers would get a balanced perspective from a frequent traveller and major hotel, and b) because they are my favourite hotel in Vancouver.}
[photo by @nate_fri, taken in a 22nd floor room overlooking the Vancouver harbour at the Fairmont Pacific Rim.]