How neat and tidy should you leave your room? We ask the experts.
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One of the best things about staying in a hotel is daily housekeeping. Freshly made beds and fluffy white towels are some of the best perks of the stay, but you're not completely off the hook when it comes to keeping the room clean and tidy. We asked the experts, what's the etiquette of hotel-room mess?
"When you're travelling, the last thing you want to do is clean," says Jessica Parker, founder of Trip Whisperer, a tailored travel consultancy. "As a considerate guest, there's an easy balance between being carefree to being a tornado with your things."
Parker says the more you spread out, the longer it takes for the cleaning staff to tidy up. If you're the tipping type, consider leaving a tip that's commensurate with the amount of mess you leave behind.
"When staying at Ovolo, we want you to let us do the dirty work," says Ben Higgins, general manager of Laneways by Ovolo. "There is no need to lift a finger because we'll be making your room fresh and fabulous every day, leaving you to live your best life."
As a considerate guest, there's an easy balance between being carefree to being a tornado with your things.
So, does that mean we don't need to make the bed when we leave? "Hell no! Leave that task to the experts," says Higgins.
All you need to do is roll out of bed, enjoy your last moments of relaxation, and let the housekeepers handle the rest. The beds will be stripped when you leave, so there's no point in straightening the sheets.
How about tidying up personal items to make it easier for the professionals to clean? Respectfully put away your personal items, such as smalls and jewellery, says Amanda King, managing director of the Australian Finishing School. Ensure you put all your rubbish in the bin, and put larger items such as shopping bags near the bin, so staff know what to remove from your room.
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"The staff have a job to do and you can assist them by giving them the space to do that," King says. "That's what closets and toiletry bags are for. Ensure your shoes and bags are out of the way so they aren't a tripping hazard."
In terms of bathroom etiquette, it should be a given to flush the toilet and put the lid down, according to King. "Place dirty towels in a pile in the bathroom on the tiles (not on the carpet) or hang them up on the designated hooks."
Hoteliers encourage guests to treat the room as their personal playground, but there are some moves that are out of bounds. Dispose of used tissues, COVID-19 test kits and other personal items in the bins provided, being mindful that somebody will have to touch anything left out on surfaces.
"No smoking in non-smoking rooms, of course," says Higgins. "And as for leaving things behind, avoid anything that screams 'hot mess' or 'potential lawsuit'."
Like all experienced hotel managers, Higgins has seen some things, but his lips are sealed. "Oh, the stories I could tell," he says. "From finding hidden treasure troves of 'party supplies' to discovering outrageous outfits and items left behind by adventurous guests, hotel life is never dull."
Pets might be your best friends, but it's important to let the hotel know if you're bringing them along so that you can be allocated a designated pet-friendly room. Obviously, you are responsible for cleaning up their messes, too.
