6 Things Hotel Staff Wish Guests Would Do

When staying at a hotel, the simplest way to show staff your appreciation for their hard work is by being a good guest. Hopefully, respecting check-in and checkout times, not trashing your room, and treating hospitality workers with respect all go without saying. However, there are other, sometimes less obvious things that you can do to make the lives of hotel employees easier. Here are six things hotel staff wish guests would do, as recommended by hospitality workers. 

Be Proactive 

Often, travelers fear speaking up if they have an issue, but they shouldn’t suffer in silence. “If you are unhappy with something, tell us as soon as possible!” one hotel staffer said on Reddit. They continued, “I hate when people check out, and we ask how their stay went, and they respond with a problem. If the people next [door] are loud, call us, and we can either send security to quiet them down or move your room. If something is broken or dirty, let us know so we can fix it.” Many hotel employees agree they would much rather address a problem head-on than receive a bad review regarding an issue they didn’t even know about.

Provide Personal Space 

If you’d like a housekeeper to come in for daily tidying and towel replenishment, leave the room while they do so. It gives them space to do their jobs. “Always leave the room when the housekeeper is cleaning,” one housekeeper explained. “[Staying] makes us feel really awkward and, in some cases, worried for our safety.” If you don’t want to leave the hotel while they clean, ask them how long they’ll be and head down to the lounge, bar, or restaurant while you wait. Remember, you can always refuse housekeeping that day or keep the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door.

Leave Tips

Unlike front desk workers, hotel housekeeping works for tips (particularly in the United States). “Leave a tip for the housekeeper. They make the least amount of money in the hotel and have the hardest jobs. They appreciate it big time,” one hospitality worker suggested. As a general guideline, the American Hotel and Lodging Association recommends $1 to $5 per night, depending on the type of hotel. The best option is to hand the cash directly to the housekeeper, but this isn’t always possible. “Normally, what I do is leave a note with the money in the room,” a former hotel manager explained on TikTok. You can leave the cash by the television or nightstand in the room (avoid leaving the housekeeper’s tip at the front desk).

Double Check the Room

A simple way to lighten the load on hotel staff? Double- and triple-check your room for essential items before you check out. Shake out the sheets of your bed and towels, and double-check drawers, closets, and under furniture for belongings. Forgotten personal items are sometimes accidentally washed or thrown away. “This is especially bad with a messy guest who leaves trash all over the counter along with a diamond earring,” one hospitality worker explained on Reddit. “The housekeeper most likely picked up the trash can and swooped it all into the trash; they never even noticed the earring.”

Complete the Survey 

Many hotels will email you a survey after your stay asking you to rate your experience. Hotel staffers often ask that you take this survey so hotel management knows what is happening in their hotel. Guest feedback is crucial in identifying areas for improvement and recognizing outstanding service. This is also a great way to praise any staffers who went above and beyond. “Leave positive but honest feedback,” one hospitality worker recommends. Be sure to mention staff by name or describe them as best as possible so that management can properly thank or address their employees.

Be Kind 

This should go without saying, but as one hotel employee pointed out, “Basic human kindness is always good.” Traveling isn’t always easy. But it isn’t the hotel employee who canceled your flight or lost your luggage, so be mindful to not take it out on them. If the problem does occur at the hotel — for example, your room isn’t ready at check-in — your patience and understanding can go a long way. (It’s rare, but you might even get a free upgrade due to your good attitude.) It’s no secret that working in the service industry can be a challenge, so a good rule of thumb is to always treat others how you’d want to be treated.