The Best Hotel Hacks That Every Traveller Should Know
When staying at hotels learning some simple and effective hotel hacks can make your stay even more enjoyable, comfortable and stress-free. That is why we have come up with a complete list of all the best hotel hacks we use for our hotel stays. From choosing the right From choosing the right hotel, scoring an upgrade, to staying in your hotel room, we have listed our best tried and tested hotel hacks for making your stay so much better.
So let’s get started!
Preparation
Choosing A Hotel
When choosing a hotel, it is important to consider the following criteria:
Location
The hotel’s location should be convenient, safe and close to the activities you have planned – business, leisure, or sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to research the surrounding area and read reviews from other guests who have stayed in the same location as well as the same hotel.
Hotel Star Rating & Reviews
Take a look at the hotel star rating to get an idea of the quality and condition of guest facilities. The rating is determined by a set of criteria that evaluate the features and amenities offered by the hotel. Check the reviews of the hotel on different online platforms to understand what other guests have to say about their recent experiences.
Price
The hotel’s cost can be a deciding factor when choosing a place to stay. Make sure to compare prices across different online platforms to find the best deal as well as checking the hotel prices directly with the hotel.
Amenities & Cleanliness
Decide what amenities are important to you such as complimentary breakfast, Wifi, a fitness centre, a pool, car parking, or a restaurant. It’s important to choose a hotel that is clean and well-maintained, so make sure review guest ratings and reviews.
Accessiblity
If required, your hotel needs to be easily accessible with ramps, lifts etc.
Brand Recognition & Loyalty Programs
If you travel a lot, booking with well known hotel chains gives you consistency and additional perks are provided through their loyalty programs. This can include access to the hotel business lounge, discounted car parking and discounts when using the hotel restaurant.
Many credit card providers offer points that can be converted into free hotel stays. So always check with your credit card provider or consider signing up to a credit card that offers this perk.
Making A Booking
Before you book your room reservation, look for deals and offers that might be available for the hotel that you are interested in. Many hotels offer promotions or packages that can save you money or give you more services.
Also, compare all room options as a more expensive room may also include wifi, a complimentary breakfast, and access to the business lounge.
Essentially you want to look for all the deals available on all the room options before making any reservations.
Hotel Loyal Programs
If you are a member of any hotel loyalty programs alway consider using hotels associated with the program to receive additional benefits and collect points with the hotel group.
However, if you have made a reservation with a hotel that has a loyalty program that you are not a member of, sign up to their program in advance. This is so you are ready to start collecting points associated with your stay as soon as you check-in and is ready for future bookings with the hotel group.
Email The Hotel Before You Arrive
Once you have completed your booking reservation, always drop a polite email to the hotel to confirm that they have your reservation. It also helps if you let them know what time you will be arriving.
Also, if you need any further support ask for it. This will allow them to prepare for any specific requests and also you will be certain of what they can or can’t provide – so you have no surprises when you arrive.
Furthermore, if you need it, ask if an earlier check-in and/or late checkout is possible.
If you are celebrating any special occasions be sure to mention it. You might find a complimentary cake, fruit, or champagne in your room.
If you would like an upgraded room, it never hurts to ask for it. Let the hotel know how much you are looking forward to staying there and be specific when asking for an upgraded room. For example mention the room category, if a certain view is available or a balcony.
Finally, if you are a large family or group, chances are you will need rooms close to each other or adjoining room. Again, letting the hotel know in advance will increase your chances of this being possible.
By always reaching out to the hotel before you arrive will help ensure your stay goes more smoothly.
Hotel Hacks During Check-In
During the check-in process politely ask if a room upgrade is possible. Also remember not all rooms are the same, so ask for a corner room as these are normally bigger (possibly away from the elevator) and ask for a room on a higher floor as it should be quieter.
Hotels, especially part of a group/chains, often have Executive or Club premium rooms (with possible access to a lounge) at an extra charge, so ask if they they have any offers or discounts for these rooms during check-in. If you had done your research in advance, you will know if your hotel can offer this.
Offers are also frequently available during check-in on other hotel services such as breakfast, if not already included, as well as restaurants and spa treatments.
Finally, during check-in always ask for two room key cards even if you are traveling solo. The second card can be used to keep the power on when you are out of your room (if you need to keep the air-conditioning/heating on or charge any devices) and will come in handy if the other card stops working.
Hotel Hacks To Use During Your Stay
Now for some great hotel hacks for making your stay more comfortable.
Remote Control & Light Switches
Wipe down the light switches and tv remote control with some antibacterial wipes. Then either use the shower cap or the plastic bag from the ice bucket and cover the remote control, ready for use.
Remove Bed Throws & Decorative Pillows
Remove any bed throws and decorative pillows from the bed as these are not regularly washed or cleaned.
Never Put Luggage On The Bed
Your luggage has been dragged through airports and stored on airplanes etc. so will have picked up dirt. Make sure you use the luggage rack normally provided or a space on the floor.
Drinking Glasses
The drinking glasses provided in your room may not be cleaned properly. So if you need drinking glasses ask for extra glasses from housekeeping.
Water Cooler In The Gym
If you need to fill your water bottle and there is a gym, it will normally have a water cooler.
Reduce Light & Noise To Help With Sleep
When sleeping, if you need to block out light from the corridor use a towel across the room door. The towel across the door will also help reduce any noise from the corridor.
Also, if there is a small gap in the curtains when they are closed; use a clothes hanger with pegs horizontally to help close the gap and block out the light.
Use Your In Room TV To Charge & Connect Your Devices
Use your room tv to connect your phone or laptop to stream any shows on the larger screen.
Likewise, for an extra USB port to charge a device, there is normally an extra USB port available on the tv.
Remove The Clutter
Rooms can easily feel quite cluttered with brochures, welcome packs and leaflets placed on the desks and side tables. To make your room clutter free, sweep them all up together and put them away into a drawer.
Use The Ironing Board For Additional Counter Space
The ironing board is a great hack if you need additional counter space to keep things on or used as a standing desk for your laptop.
Heated Towel Rack
Use the heated towel rack in the bathroom to dry or warm your clothes.
De-Wrinkle Clothes In The Bathroom
Hang up any clothes that need to be de-wrinkled in the bathroom and turn on the hot water in the shower to create plenty of steam and the wrinkles will drop.
Use the shower as a humidifier especially if you are staying in a dry climate, turn on the hot water in the shower for a few minutes to add moisture to the air in your room.
Make Use Of The Concierge & Housekeeping Services
Make sure you use the concierge and housekeeping services to support your stay. Request concierge to support any external bookings such as for a taxi or restaurant.
Always check with housekeeping before rushing out to buy razors, toothpaste etc. as they may have it.
Hair conditioner usually provided in the bathroom can be used as shaving cream, makeup remover and cuticle cream.
The general rule for when to use housekeeping or the front desk/concierge, is if it is anything to do with your room contact housekeeping and for hotel services and outside requests contact the front desk/concierge.
So to wrap up on our best hotel hacks…
So now you know out best hotel hacks for making your hotel stay as comfortable as possible. With this insider knowledge, you can make the most out of your hotel stay on both a practical and luxurious level. Now that you’re armed with these great hotel hacks make sure you use them every time you stay in a hotel.
For more great hacks about hotels, read our great blog on The Ultimate Guide To Booking Hotel Rooms which includes tips for booking the perfect hotel room for your stay.
