25 Surprising Secrets Hotels Don’t Want You To Know

Posted by , Updated on March 23, 2024

You might already suspect this, but there are things hotels prefer to keep hidden. Most hotels have a fee for almost everything, and as guests looking for value, we want to utilize all our benefits fully. If you’re curious about these helpful hotel secrets, continue reading. They range from the topic of unregistered hotel guests and water bottles to hotel death rates and unsanitary floors; here are 25 Shocking Hotel Secrets They’d Rather You Not Know.

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25

You can check who is staying in a particular hotel.

Catalog

If you call a receptionist asking to speak to Mr/Ms/Mrs they will most likely transfer your call or let you know if that person is staying there.

24

You can’t be thrown in jail over an unpaid hotel bill.

24. Jail

However, you might have to go to civil court to settle the payments or deal with debt collectors, either one is still a loss.

23

Most hotels are used to commit suicide.

23. Suicide

Locals that don’t want their family finding them dead will often commit suicide in a hotel near their home. It may be tragic, but it’s also the truth.

22

You can make last minute cancellations without being charged a fee.

22 cancel

Instead of asking to cancel the reservation, ask if you can reschedule to the next week then call the next day asking to cancel, free of charge.

21

You can have unregistered guests.

21 list

Most hotels charge the same rate if there are one or two people in a room, so if you bring a guest but only reserve for one person you won’t be charged.

20

The hotels expect you to take the bathroom toiletries.

20 shampoo

Hotel maids are told to toss out left toiletries, so make sure to take whichever ones you want.

19

Hotel staff have a good relationship with police.

19. Police

If something seems suspicious, they’ll be the first ones to get a call. Be safe and live by the law!

18

Hotel cleaning staff have the hardest jobs and are generally paid less.

18 maid

Please tip generously.

17

Most hotels don’t require a background check for their employees.

17. Background check

It’s best to just keep all valuables at home or on you at all times because the employees may be the ones to steal your stuff.

16

Bed linens are often not changed along with the sheets.

16. Bed

You could be sleeping on the same linens that the person before you slept on. How gross.

15

Security in hotels isn’t as safe as you think.

15. Security

Most times after you check out the key cards do not expire, so if the person who was in the room before you decides to come back, they could get in.

14

Hotel rooms are only periodically cleaned.

14. remote

Once a guest checks out, the cleaning staff has a limited amount of time to clean the room, meaning most items (like remotes, the phone, etc.) are not cleaned.

13

When making reservations it's best to call the hotel directly.

13. 1800

Calling 1-800 numbers will often raise the rates and charge extra fees. Save your money and call the receptionist desk to get the best rates.

12

They have extra chargers in case you forgot yours.

12. Charger

It happens; good to know you don’t have to find the nearest store to buy a new one.

11

They have vehicles for rent.

11. cars

Some hotels will have rental vehicles on site so you don’t have to find the nearest car rental center to get a nice ride.

10

Free breakfast

10. Breakfast

It is becoming increasingly popular for hotels to offer their guests free continental breakfasts.

 

9

Free room upgrade

9. upgrade

Using a little sweet talk during check in could get you a nicer room; it doesn’t hurt to test your luck!

8

Free Wi-Fi

8. Wifi

No need to stress about using all your cellular data while staying at a hotel. Most hotels now offer their guests free Wi-Fi.

7

A variety of pillow selections

7.pillows

If you’re particular about the pillow you need to sleep on, some hotels offer a pillow menu for you to choose from.

6

If you travel frequently, stay at the same hotel each time.

6. Same

Most often when the staff gets to know you, it means getting more free things and better service.

5

Socks

5. Socks

If you forget your pair or the room is just too cold, a pair will be happily provided. That’ll surely keep you nice and toasty.

4

The floors are not as clean as they may look.

4. Dust

Most hotel room floors are carpet, meaning they can hold lots or dirt, dust, and bacteria. Keep your shoes and socks on.

3

Free water bottles

3. Water

Upon request, free water bottles can be given to guests. A hydrated person is a happy person!

2

You’re paying for location.

2. Location

Hotels in good locations generally cost more because of the surrounding attractions, so save an extra buck or two when planning to stay in a great area.

1

You can order children’s sized portions to save money on dinner.

1. Kids meal

This is useful when you want a small snack but don’t want to pay big time prices.



Photos: Feature Image: Shutterstock, 25. © 2010 by Tomasz Sienicki [user: tsca, mail: tomasz.sienicki at gmail.com], Telefonbog ubt-1, CC BY 3.0, 24. Derek Key via flickr, CC BY 2.0, 23. Cliff via flickr, CC BY 2.0, 22. Hashoo Foundation USA -Houston, TX, CC BY-SA 2.0, 21. pixabay.com (public domain), 20. Jack Kennard via flickr, CC BY 2.0, 19. Tony Webster via flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, 18. Chrisissy via flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, 17. pixabay.com (public domain), 16. Michael Gray via flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, 15. commons.wikimedia.org (public domain), 14. espensorvik via flickr, CC BY 2.0, 13. pixabay.com (public domain), 12. Mk2010, Mobile phone charger plugs, CC BY-SA 3.0, 11. Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), Paris Autolib 06 2012 Bluecar 2905, CC BY-SA 3.0, 10. Janine from Mililani, Hawaii, United States, Breakfast!, CC BY 2.0, 9. Ged Carroll via flickr, CC BY 2.0, 8. Wayda Dreamscape via flickr, CC BY 2.0, 7. Danpape, Pile of pillows, CC BY-SA 3.0, 6. pixabay.com (public domain), 5. Tony Alter from Newport News, USA, New Socks (9053630440), CC BY 2.0, 4. commons.wikimedia.org (public domain), 3. Steven Depolo via flickr, CC BY 2.0, 2. pixabay.com (public domain), 1. pixabay.com (public domain)

 

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