15 Things to Never Say to Hotel Staff That Could Ruin Your Stay
In a hotel, the quality of your stay is not just about how comfortable your room is, or how good the amenities are, but how the hotel staff treats you. Learning what to say and what not to say can be the difference in making your stay as nice as possible.
Remember that hotel employees are the backbone of the hospitality industry. They are there to help you, but how you communicate with them will make all the difference in the service you get. If you want to keep your stay smooth and your interactions positive, here are some phrases you should avoid.
“The Price, Can’t You Do Anything About That?”
No haggling the room rate at the front desk. Hotel management or corporate policies usually set prices and they are often nonnegotiable at check in. Rather than expecting a discount when you get there, book in advance for the best deals, or find real promotions through the hotel’s website.
“I Know the Owner Personally”
Trying to get special treatment or intimidate staff by dropping names rarely works — and can actually backfire. If you can’t back up your claims, it places unnecessary pressure on the staff and will come off as insincere. Being polite and respectful always goes a long way.
“That’s Not My Job”
Leaving your room in a massive mess or acting like you can leave common areas in a mess because it’s not your job to clean up after yourself is disrespectful. Guests who respect the property are appreciated by staff because constant cleanup slows down efficiency and affects their ability to serve everyone on time.
“I’ll Leave a Bad Review”
Threatening staff to get what they want is counterproductive and creates a hostile environment. Staff usually go the extra mile for a guest who approaches them with respect rather than threats. Most issues can be resolved with a conversation.
“I Know the Manager Very Well”
Pretending to know the manager or knowing the manager and threatening staff with that sounds pretentious and rarely works. Staff are trained to treat all guests with great service no matter who they might know.
“What About an Upgrade for Free?”
It’s okay to ask what upgrades are available, but assuming you should get one for free is not. When there are available upgrades, they will often be offered to you at a price or as an amenity for being a member of the loyalty program.
“You Must Be Wrong”
Disputing charges with hotels without hearing their side of the story or arguing with staff over policies can create a lot of miscommunication and resentment. If you have a misunderstanding, talk it out, the staff is there to help solve problems, not make them worse.
“Hurry Up”
Everyone is ready to get to their room and get comfortable, but pushing the staff to hurry the check in process or room cleaning can be rude if it’s a busy time. In hotels, patience is a virtue.
“That’s Not Like the Photos”
It’s not unreasonable to expect your room to look like the pictures you saw on the hotel’s website, but accusing staff of false advertising when you first check in isn’t the right approach. If your room is quite different from what is advertised, a civil discussion with the front desk is better.
“Can You Watch My Kids?”
Children are not supervised by hotel staff. This can include getting bellhops or housekeepers or other staff to watch your kids when you leave. If you need childcare always make appropriate arrangements.
“I Don’t Need to Tip”
In the U.S. tipping is customary as a means to say ‘thank you’ for good service and skimping on tips, especially when staff have gone out of their way for you, is ill considered. However, many hospitality workers live off tips.
“ Why Is It So Expensive Here?”
It’s awkward to comment negatively about the price of services or amenities, such as dining or parking. Hotel prices typically depend on their locale and service level. If cost is a concern, research cost-friendly options prior to your trip.
“You Don’t Look Like You’re From Here”
That can be interpreted as insensitive or offensive. The hospitality industry is such a beautiful, diverse industry, and such remarks can often sound out of place. Value the colorful tapestry of hotel staff’s backgrounds.
“Your Job Must Be So Easy”
This comment negates the effort that goes into hotel staff roles. Their hard work needs to be recognized not just for what it is, but also for the complexities they face every day in the hospitality industry, which requires peak attention to detail coupled with great customer service, and dealing with multiple issues with poise.
“Can I Have a Late Checkout?”
This request is common, but assuming it’s always acceptable or failing to check out by an established checkout time can throw housekeeping’s schedule out of whack. Always be sure to check at the front desk, and be flexible on the hotel’s policies.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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