10 Secrets Hotel Staff Stay Silent About

The hotel is one of the most important components of travel. After all, even a small thing like a broken bed or a dirty room can spoil the impression of the entire trip.

1. Book a room 1-2 days before check-in.

The prices for hotels can change every day, and it all depends on the season and upcoming events. Therefore, it’s better to book a room closer to the date of arrival to save up to 50%.

2. If you don’t like your room, you can change it for free.

For example, if you booked a room with a view of the sea and received a view of a building site, you have the right to demand the room you originally ordered. If you don’t like the room for subjective reasons (located on the upper/lower floor), then you can ask (but not demand) a change of room. If there are vacant rooms, the hotel staff will show them to you. No additional fees for changing rooms should be taken.

3. Choose a hotel by its ratings, not by the number of stars.

A 3-star hotel can be much better than a 5-star hotel, so read the reviews before you book a room. Remember that people write negative comments much more willingly. In order not to be confused, pay attention to those nuances mentioned by the majority.

4. You can take the shampoo, shower gel, and other cosmetic products with you.

Don’t think you’ve done something bad. After all, this is the reason why the hotel staff puts all these disposable things in a room. Yet it’s better to leave the towel and bathrobe in the room.

5. Concierges with the "golden keys" pin will answer any questions.

They can also get you a ticket for a concert and help organize a guided tour. Concierges with such pins are members of a special public organization called "Les Clefs d’Or."

6. Book discounted rooms directly with the hotel.

Hotels want to sell as many rooms per day as possible. Therefore, they pay a fee to different sites so they offer certain rooms, and you don’t get the best rooms at a discount. Call the hotel directly, and say that you found their discounted room on another site and want to book it. The hotel staff will most likely meet your request because in this case they won’t have to pay fees to the site.

7. Photos of a hotel can differ from reality.

You expected to get a luxurious room, and when you arrived, you saw a small room with a half-ruined bedside table and a small bed. To avoid this situation, search for the hotel photos on the Internet. Guests often post real photos of the rooms and the hotel itself.

8. Check the minibar.

A minibar is a magic chest containing different delicacies at crazy prices. And in order not to pay money for someone else’s pleasures, check the bottles are closed. After all, the previous guest could easily have had a drink and poured tap water into the bottle instead.

9. Read the contract before leaving your car on-site.

The contract usually states that the hotel is not responsible for cars parked on-site.

10. How to cancel a reservation at the last moment before check-in and not pay a fine for it.

Instead of canceling the reservation immediately, ask to move it ahead a week. Then call the next day to cancel it.