Sam Shank, cofounder of HotelTonight, guides you through the most common pitfalls.
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- Don’t be afraid to inquire about perks like upgrades or early check‑in and late checkout times. Just remember to ask politely.
- Speak up about your preferences: If you're a light sleeper or have other room preferences, let the front desk know.
- Finish with a thoughtful checkout routine—do a quick final sweep of the room, and don’t forget to tip housekeeping.
When you're staying in a hotel, there are some definitive dos and don'ts. Do put all your trash in the bin before you leave. Do tip for good service. Don't walk around the hallways barefoot. Don't steal the towels or bathrobes. These unofficial rules will make your stay more enjoyable—for you and the staff—but a misstep at check-in or checkout can have a major impact on your overall experience.
To ensure everything runs smoothly from arrival to departure, we asked Sam Shank, cofounder of the booking app HotelTonight, how to check in to and out of a hotel without falling prey to these common mistakes.
Ignoring Resort Fees
While it’s now illegal for hotels to hide extra charges like resort fees, that doesn’t mean you can't question them. “Resort fees are unfortunately becoming more common,” says Shank. Since they can significantly inflate the total cost of your stay, it’s important to factor them in when comparing prices, especially across different booking platforms. Even if a fee seems set in stone, Shank always asks if they're optional. “Sometimes,” he says, “I am successful.”
Not Requesting an Early Check-in or Late Checkout
When booking your hotel, remember that many properties are making moves to nix the typical check-in and checkout rules. Take The Hoxton, for example. The hip chain with hotels around the world from Williamsburg to Rome has a Flexy Time policy that allows you, the guest, to choose when you check in and out—as long as you make your request at least three days before your stay. So, don't be afraid to ask about arriving early or leaving late. Shank says it's best to be flexible about your room type, as that may increase the chances of the hotel being able to accommodate your request. "I have found that early check-in and late checkout is as easy as asking nicely about it at the front desk," he says. "Be willing to trade a particular room type for early access."
Risking a Noisy Room If You’re a Light Sleeper
Always keep your sleeping preferences in mind when traveling—this is, after all, your time to recuperate and relax. If your sleeping habits dictate the type of room you'll be happiest in, speak up. "I'm a light sleeper, so I always ask for a room far from the elevator, on a high floor, and facing the least busy street or a courtyard," says Shank.
Neglecting to Ask (Nicely) for a Free Upgrade at Check-in
Shank is very much in the camp of asking for an upgrade if there's an opportunity to do so politely. Booking in the off-season will not only help you start with a lower rate, but also increase room availability. "On the day of arrival, the front desk will have a lot of discretion to assign rooms," he says. "They likely will have a few nicer rooms that they have to put someone in. That someone could be you, so ask nicely."
Overpaying for an Upgrade
The song and dance of getting an upgrade at a hotel is not unlike trying to qualify for an upgrade on a flight. In both instances, it's wise to put in the request as soon as you can and set a threshold for the amount you'd be willing to pay. If the opportunity comes up, Shank recommends "offering a reasonable amount for an upgrade—my rule of thumb is 10 percent of what you paid."
Not Providing Your Contact Information at Check-in
Shank makes an interesting case for giving the front desk your contact details as soon as you arrive at a hotel. "During check-in, I leave my email address and ask for my folio to be sent to me after checkout," he says. "This way, I can skip checkout and walk out of the hotel, knowing I'll have a chance to review any charges later on my own schedule." This isn't acceptable at every hotel, so read up on the checkout policies before dashing out the door.
Skipping a Tip for the Housekeeping Staff Before Checkout
You tip your hairdresser and restaurant servers, so why stiff the housekeeping staff? In U.S. hotels, leaving a gratuity is just the right thing to do. Industry experts recommend between $2 and $5 a day. If you've forgotten to tip housekeeping daily during your stay, leave a tip in the room before you check out. "I always make sure to leave a tip for the cleaning staff—they do as much as anyone to make sure I had a great stay," says Shank.
Forgetting to Do a Final Sweep of Your Room
Do you ever stop before leaving the house and whisper to yourself, "Wallet, phone, keys?" If you don't, now might be a good time to start. Go through a mental checklist of items (such as chargers, passport, stray jewelry) and do a walk-through of your hotel room before leaving. "I can't count all of the device chargers I've left in hotel rooms," Shank says. "Now, I make sure to look at every outlet during my final sweep of the room."
Waiting in Line to Check Out If You're Crunched for Time
Hotels don't always require you to stand in line at the front desk to check out. You usually just have to make sure you vacate the room on time, whether that's at the designated checkout time or a previously confirmed late time. Make sure you have a chance to review your bill and that the hotel has a credit card on file for any room charges. Go ahead and visit the front desk if you prefer to review your bill in person, but if you've followed Shank's tip to give your email address upon checking in, you can typically just head out. Don't forget to leave your keycards in the room so the hotel can reuse the plastic.
Forgetting to Look at the Itemized Bill
If you're worried that the hotel won't email you a bill, or that you won't see it because your inbox is a mess (no judgment), then skip the previous tip and leave yourself extra time to review your bill with the front desk before checking out.
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