Hotel Etiquette 101: 7 Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Don’t be dismissive of pre-arrival communication from the hotel. You could miss key information regarding your arrival, pre-check in links and your ability to customize your experience before you get there.

2. Don’t assume that all requests can be honored. Room location, floor level, away from the elevator are a few of the many requests you can list, however, availability is based on many factors such as the previous day’s occupancy, groups in-house, length of stay and supply.

3. Don’t assume the rate you shopped yesterday is the same rate as you are going to see today. Just like the airline industry, retail shops and restaurants, pricing is based on demand in the market. The truth is most hotels rates change several times each day. If you see a rate that you’re happy with, book it right away!

4. Don’t assume there is any flexibility when you book a non-refundable rate. The tradeoff for booking a lower rate is the lack of flexibility in making changes to the reservation. If you book the cheapest rate you can find (always going to be non-refundable) you are going to be locked in and the hotel will follow the policy without exceptions as that is the only way to be fair to all their customers past, present, and future.

5. Don’t book through online travel agencies (Expedia, booking, Priceline). If you want flexibility, book directly. The hotels will match or beat the price (many times) and can make changes to the reservation, move dates, add, or subtract guests etc. whereas when you book through the OTA you will not have those same advantages.

6. Don’t forget to tip your housekeepers. Being a housekeeper is challenging work and the staff only have 30 minutes or less to make sure your room is perfect. If anybody deserves a tip, it’s the people who truly make the hotel what it is.

7. Don’t forget to leave a review. All good hotels read, react to, and train their staff based on feedback they receive from guest reviews. If someone did an excellent job, please say so in the review, they will see it and so will all their co-workers. Feedback is very much appreciated!

Ensure a smooth hotel experience for yourself and others when you keep these etiquette tips in mind. Respect for hotel staff, awareness of policies, and thoughtful behavior can make a significant difference in the quality of your stay.

We can’t wait to welcome you to The Lodge Red Hook!