15 Hotel Guest Habits That Drive Housekeepers Up the Wall
Have you ever considered how a hotel housekeeper cleans 15-20 rooms per day and sometimes walks miles to accomplish the job? While these behind-the-scenes superheroes work tirelessly to ensure your stay is spotless and comfortable, some daily habits guests exhibit can make what is already a strenuous job much more challenging.
Misplaced “Do Not Disturb” signs, cluttered rooms, and misused amenities slow them down and disrupt hotel operations. Here’s a quick peek to learn how small changes can make a big difference!
Keeping the “Do Not Disturb” Sign Up Indefinitely
While privacy is important, using the “Do Not Disturb” sign for days can prevent housekeepers from keeping your room clean, leading to a bigger mess later. Instead, give them the time of day when you are ready for service or have designated housekeeping days.
Housekeepers work on tight schedules, so remember this when doing your chores. You don’t want to be rude or delay them from cleaning other spaces.
Constantly Asking Housekeeping to “Come Back Later”
Housekeepers work on minimal schedules: Clean 10–15 rooms per shift and have only 20–30 minutes per room. Repeatedly asking them to “come back later” creates delays and scheduling conflicts.
Instead, schedule a cleaning with hotel staff, take a short break when they arrive, or let a day go by and tip them next time. A small courtesy makes a big difference!
Leaving Without Checking Out
Leaving without checkout will waste valuable housekeeping time, which could be better utilized to prepare for the next guest.
Instead, use mobile checkout or the hotel app or drop off your key at the front desk before leaving the hotel to make things easier for yourself. It is quick, easy, and beneficial!
Hogging Luggage Carts
Luggage carts are for people, not just a room accessory! One kept in your room is a hassle to other guests and your staff. Once you’ve unloaded, return the cart to the lobby to help things stay smooth. Everyone will thank you!
Remaking Used Beds
Remaking your bed is nice, but it sucks that your housekeeper still has to strip and remake it just so it looks hygienic. Skip the remake. Housekeepers have it covered!
Leaving Rooms Excessively Messy
A little clutter isn’t a problem, but too many things in the room make housekeeping take longer and may even necessitate hiring more housekeeping staff.
To help them out, toss trash in bins and pile up used towels in one spot. These small steps are significant!
Ignoring Trash and Recycling Guidelines
If you randomly leave trash on desks, floors, or anywhere else, you will create extra work for somebody. Then, whoever has to clean that up must work slower, and it’s generally gross.
Use the provided trash and recycling bins and follow the signs to help determine what can go in the recycling bin. Let us be easy on everybody and keep things organized!
Misusing Towels and Room Amenities
It is very annoying if your family or you don’t care about how many towels they use to dry themselves or the items they leave out, like soap, hair dryers, and whatnot.
Using hotel towels to clean shoes or take robes and slippers as souvenirs is harmless but increases laundry demand, replenishment costs, and environmental stress. Let’s keep it sustainable and innovative!
Grooming in Hotel Rooms
Any hotel stay should include grooming, but you should not leave beard clippings or used razors in the sink! Take 10 seconds to clean up after yourself.
Be wise with your towels and tissues, and throw your grooming items in the trash. Who wants to do anything with a messy sink?
Failing to Report Damages
Accidents happen, and it’s no big deal. If that spilled drink or broken lamp happens, inform hotel staff immediately.
Most hotels don’t charge if you’re honest, and reporting them as soon as possible will eliminate delays and more significant issues. If you’re transparent, things can go surprisingly smoothly and relatively stress-free!
Mishandling Glassware
Designate a spot for used glasses in bathrooms or bathroom counters so housekeeping can help. Otherwise, you will make it easier to get glass cuts if they drop and break.
Overstaying Check-Out Time Without Notice
It is always best to let the front desk know if you want to stay after checkout to avoid disrupting housekeeping and delaying rooms for coming guests.
Need extra time? Ask for a late checkout, or leave your luggage with the concierge and have the rest of your plans without stress!
Skipping the Toilet Flush
An unflushed bathroom is gross, rude, and avoidable. Flush, double-check before you leave, and keep it clean for the next person!
Forgetting about Room Service Trays
There’s no better way to kill vacation vibes than seeing leftover food trays in the hall or your room. Once you’ve eaten, pick up the trays to keep things neat. It’s easy; call room service or the front desk!
The Last Minute Housekeeping Requests
Do you have towel requests during the last few minutes before check-out? This is a tough break for housekeepers racing to prep rooms for the next guests. Keep things running smoothly for everyone by planning and making your requests early!
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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