Top 10 Things You Must Not Do In A Hotel Room

Rowan (Guinness Bear) 8 min read

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I can't imagine how often I've stayed in a hotel room in my travel life. You're also the same, especially if you're a solo traveler. However, have you ever heard that there are some unwritten rules inside a hotel room? 

Yes, of course, due to some problems with security and comfort matters, some things cannot be done in a hotel room. So, before something bad happens, I advise you not to do these top 10 things in a hotel room. It doesn't matter if you travel alone or with friends. If you need a smooth and exciting experience during your travel, avoid these common mistakes, as these bad habits could turn your dream vacation into a nightmare.

So, scroll through the list below for the top 10 things you must not do in a hotel room, beginning with the next hotel stay.

Top 10 Things to Avoid in a Hotel Room: Key Rules for a Pleasant Stay

When staying in a hotel, it's essential to familiarize yourself with basic hotel etiquette to ensure a comfortable experience for yourself and others. Practicing good behavior not only enhances your stay but also contributes to a positive atmosphere for fellow guests and hotel staff. We have explained the top 10 things you must not do in a hotel room. By following these guidelines, you can help create a welcoming atmosphere that enhances your overall hotel experience.

#10 Lying After Damaging Something

Typically, you could accidentally damage or break some furniture or glass items. It doesn't matter because accidents happen. But I'm talking about damaging something in your room. Keeping it a secret can harm the hotel staff or new guests. With the current situation, I think no one needs additional safety risks during travel time.

I remember an incident; for example, some new guest once cut their hand on a shard of glass. It happened even though the cleaning staff had cleaned the room. I believe the fault is not with the hotel staff but with the previous guests who didn’t make the staff aware of the broken glass in their room.

The damaged furniture will usually be added to your bill, even more than its original price. Don't think that if you're lucky, they will skip the extra charge. Instead, don't wish to get away with the charges by saying it wasn't your fault or by not informing the staff. I know that during the guests' check-out, the front desk will send someone to check the room.

Accordingly, if you accidentally break or damage something in your room, the best action is to alert the hotel staff immediately. If not, trying to hide the damage or leaving without reporting will be the extra charge you must pay.

#9 Cheating the Minibar

So, it's not a good idea to deceive hotel staff by replacing the liquor with a half-empty Diet Coke. I want to say this happens more often than you might think, and the technology is more advanced than you ever know. And to those who still do, they may get charged double. On the other hand, it's not just being dishonest but also unsafe for other guests.

#8 Leaving Jewelry and Money Unattended

After the COVID-19 pandemic, many hotels have resumed regular housekeeping services, including daily cleaning and restocking of amenities, typically before and after a guest's stay. However, it's still important to take precautions when safeguarding your valuables.

Most hotel rooms provide a safe for guests to use, and it's advisable to take advantage of this feature. It's strongly recommended that you never leave your valuable items, including jewelry, money, or important documents, in your room unless they are secured in a hotel-provided safe. You must report the incident immediately if you have misplaced or had something stolen.

#7 Sneaking in Your Pets

I know it’s wonderful to take your pets when traveling. But the problem is how to stay with them. Please don’t do it if you’re not staying at a pet-friendly hotel. Most hotels will not allow the furry animals to be in with you. If you have asked the hotel staff and they refused, don’t try to do it in your way.

Animals can leave behind evidence such as hair and prints, and violating hotel policies by bringing pets can result in substantial cleaning fees. This can be seen as disrespectful towards housekeeping staff who work hard to maintain the cleanliness and safety of hotel rooms. In addition, you could be just kicked out of your room. It all depends on the hotel's policy.

Finally, I remember again and again that you must make sure to book a pet-friendly room if your pet will be accompanying you during your visit. If that's a success, you don't need to sneak your pet into your room.

#6 Keeping Bathroom Door Unlocked when Taking a Shower

In my experience, taking a steamy shower after a long day of traveling can be incredibly rejuvenating. Still, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks involved. Hotel showers can produce a lot of steam, which can trigger the hotel's fire alarm system if allowed to escape into the room.

This could result in having to evacuate the hotel and potentially coming into contact with other guests. It's important to be aware of this possibility and take precautions to prevent it from happening during your stay.

#5 Stealing from the Hotel

Surprisingly, I heard the news about stealing things from the hotel, and some hotel customers are thieves. They are usually happy to steal items like towels, drapes, shampoos, and even bedsheets in the hotel room. So, if you are caught, you will also simply be arrested. This is not about a fact with good manners, but you might end up with an unwanted charge on your hotel bill.

Sometimes, there may be a thought to take home a few essential amenities the hotel provides during the stay, like bathrobes, shampoo, lotion, and other vanity products. Avoid taking expensive items from your hotel room, such as linens, artwork, or electronics, as you may be charged extra or fined for doing so.

#4 Smoking 

Smoking is prohibited in many hotels. However, some guests think that there is no need to observe the no-smoking rules as they're in the comfort of their rooms. You are completely wrong!

It's crucial to adhere to the smoking policies of your hotel room. Even if you're a smoker, you should not smoke in any area of your room, including the toilet. This is because other guests will be using the room after you. While some hotels may still allow smoking in rooms, it's important to note that smoking in non-smoking rooms is not only against hotel policy but also disrespectful to other guests with allergies or sensitivities to smoke.

Covering the smoke alarm in your room is also a safety hazard and should never be done. It's best to smoke outside in designated areas to avoid any risk of fire or damage to the room. Following the hotel's smoking policies can help ensure a safe and pleasant stay for yourself and others.

#3 Drinking Tap Water

Shall I tell you a story of a nice family who noticed a funny taste in the drinking water while staying in the hotel room? 

Surprisingly, it will be the most extreme case of tainted water I've told you. It’s certainly not just the only story, but my advice is to not drink the tap water in your hotel room, no matter where you’re staying. Nothing good ever comes of it.

#2 Disturbing Other Guests 

Staying at a hotel can be the relaxing escape we all need, and it's a place to rest. So, you are expected to have the silence required to achieve a peaceful environment for the other guests, too.

Keeping noise levels to a minimum in hotel rooms is important to ensure a peaceful environment for all guests. Despite the luxurious amenities of a hotel, the building materials may not provide sufficient soundproofing, making it essential to avoid loud music and conversations. Additionally, try to walk around quietly to avoid disturbing the guests in the room below you. By being considerate of others, you can help create a relaxing and enjoyable experience for everyone in the hotel.

#1 Touching Things Without Considering the Safety

I will cover all areas of a hotel room, especially the bathroom. I recommend placing a towel on the ground to prevent your bare feet from touching the floor, where bacteria and urine can accumulate. During your stay, ask the hotel staff for disinfectant wipes to clean high-touch areas such as doorknobs, TV remotes, faucets, and light switches.

These are often the dirtiest areas in a hotel room due to frequent guest use. Some hotels are now providing disinfecting wipes as part of their guidelines. Still, sanitizing your hands after using germ-prone areas in your hotel room is important to ensure your safety.

🐻 Top 10 Recap: Things You Should Never Do in a Hotel Room

Planning your next hotel stay? To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, here’s a quick recap of the top 10 things you should avoid doing in a hotel room. These tips will help you navigate your stay without any unnecessary hassles!

🐻 Conclusion: Ensure a Smooth Stay by Following Hotel Etiquette

As I said before, staying in hotels is my favorite. Somebody makes the bed for me, someone will bring me food if I call for it, and the best thing is that I'm on vacation. I hope you also feel the same when staying in a hotel.

But over some periods, I've heard quite a few doubts about things I shouldn't do in a hotel. So, I did a little research to share with you. And there are quite a few things I should never do when staying in a hotel. So, above is my list of the top 10 things you should never do in a hotel room. Good luck, and avoid those habits in a hotel room during your next vacation.

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