A classy hotel guest is never a painful pest

Gaston de Rosayro

Hotels can be so much more than places to sleep while travelling. They can be among the most interesting and memorable features of a trip. However, because hotels range from elegant luxury establishments to country inns to chain hostelries they can be a bit confusing unless you know what to expect from them and what they may expect from you.

I have had the good fortune of travelling a great deal and staying at some of the most splendid hotels. They are the kind of special inns that have customers returning simply for that touch of extra caring service. That's simply good business and it keeps people like me coming back time and time again.

A star treatment

Guests inside a hotel room

Guests at a hotel

A guest at a hotel reception

But many frequent travellers who jet-set for business or pleasure seem to leave their manners at home when they set out on their journey. Sure, there are those fair-minded guests who make sure they convey their appreciation about stellar service in writing to the management.

While many may complain about the service they get it is also essential to be a considerate hotel guest. Aside from applying the golden rule to the way you interact with other guests, treating staff with respect goes a long way as far as building them up and ensuring you'll be treated well in return.

Staff recognise the value of thoughtful guests. Being supportive and understanding can set you up as a special guest worthy of star treatment. So you see, it pays to be a good guest. If you regularly visit the same hotel, you will be remembered for your kindness and generosity if you display the correct hotel guest etiquette.

Showing your appreciation for the hardworking staff would guarantee you have an enjoyable and memorable stay. Remember that a hotel room is not your private home and certainly not your doting grandmother's home away from home. When you stay at a hotel, try to be on your best behaviour, even when you are on vacation and need to let your guard down.

Loosing your temper

Common courtesy is all that is required to be a good guest. Staff in these establishments work hard and they are not paid fabulously. A please and thank you will be appreciated greatly by a member of the staff on a long shift who has helped you. As stated earlier the easiest and best thing you can do to be a good guest is to remember your manners.

If you are waiting at reception and it is busy there is no point in getting mad and complaining as it is not the receptionists’ fault. They will get to you as soon as they can. Shouting and making a scene will only make the receptionists remember you as the guest who shouted at them and they will no doubt inform other members of staff.

If you show a little patience the receptionists will probably be grateful and remember you if you need assistance during your stay and will try their best to help you. When checking in, always be polite, friendly and communicative. Never be snobbish. Eye contact is one of the most important things for a successful interpersonal exchange.

Also if your choice of a room is not available, do not lose your temper and rebuke the front desk receptionists. It is probably not their fault at all. Rooms are, most of the time, allocated to reservations long before your check-in time. Losing your temper will not get you anywhere.

Though travelling can be a relaxing experience, there are some rules of etiquette to follow in your hotel. Housekeeping etiquette is one that is overlooked by many room guests. Even though the hotel has housekeeping service, do pick up after yourself.

Sort out your own dirty clothes from the hotel's used linen and towels. Housekeeping should not have to sort through your dirty underwear, socks and shirts to get to the towels and pillowcases they need to take to be laundered. When you finish using the towels and linen, put them in a single pile so they are easily accessible, and put your dirty personal laundry elsewhere.

Legitimate complaints

Housekeeping staff have to adhere to time limits when cleaning rooms and if you leave a room messy, they will overshoot their time limit or may miss something while cleaning.

When you vacate the hotel room, make sure that you leave it in a reasonably tidy state. Place any rubbish in the bins that have been provided and make sure it looks reasonably orderly. The maids will clean up after you have left and make up the beds, but you can make their job easier if you tidy up a bit yourself.

Avoid being demanding. Whether you are requesting extra pillows or ordering room service, give them enough time to do it. If you have a problem, such as excessive noise or lack of hot water, call the front desk and inform them politely. Do not yell or shout, as it will not resolve the problem. Talking respectfully will always do the trick. Do not make unnecessary demands during your stay even if you are a celebrity. When ordering room service do so courteously. It will ensure you better service.

If the front desk or any other department does not pick up your call right away, do not flip your lid. The person on duty has to attend to several guests at the same time and may not be able to answer your call right away. Wait until your call is picked up or call back. If it is an emergency, call security.

When you are leaving and asked how your stay was, be truthful about it instead of bluffing. If you have a legitimate complaint about the stay, or wish to point out any shortcomings by all means do so. However, do make it a point to return the key to your room before you leave.

If you leave before your designated check out time, inform the front desk, so that the housekeeping can prepare the room for the next guest.

Being rude or behaving arrogantly will not help you get good service. Rather you will be a pain for the hotel staff who would yearn for your early check-out. Behave decently if you wish to be remembered as a well-mannered guest. Put yourself in the shoes of hotel-staff and you will realise how important it is to be a first-rate hotel guest!

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