Stealing the bathrobes
When considering actions to avoid in a hotel room, prioritizing theft should be at the top. Additionally, wearing a bathrobe outside your room, unless heading to the pool or spa, is certainly frowned upon.
rude hotel habit
But all of that pales in comparison to attempting to take one home for use at your place. There’s really no sense in trying to smuggle an additional robe, along with a pillow or towel, even if they seem incredibly soft and plush. Not only would this act constitute outright stealing, but bringing a hotel bathrobe back home could result in an unexpected fee added to your bill.
“High-end hotels frequently sell their bathrobes, which often come with price tags over $100,” explains travel author and hotel critic Laura Itzkowitz. “Should you find yourself taking one ‘by accident,’ there’s a very high likelihood—about 99%—that you’ll see an additional charge on your credit card statement, though this might not happen immediately as they may only discover the missing robe later.” This rule applies equally to towels, art pieces, electronic devices, and various other amenities intended to remain within the room post-departure. Should you have doubts about being permitted to remove any particular object from the premises, it’s best to keep it at the hotel.
Damaging an item and concealing the truth about it
Mishaps occur frequently, yet concealing damage within your accommodation from the staff could lead to significant risks for them or subsequent visitors. For instance, should you accidentally shatter a glass, gather all noticeable shards immediately and inform the cleaning crew so they can inspect thoroughly for any remaining fragments. In case of breaking costlier items such as a television or tablet, notify the reception desk promptly—even though doing so might result in charges—because honesty typically fosters greater leniency. My personal experience mirrors this scenario perfectly; our young child inadvertently damaged an in-room iPad at the hotel. Fortunately, the establishment opted against charging us for the broken device out of kindness.
This serves as an excellent justification for conducting a comprehensive examination of the room upon check-in. Should you observe anything damaged prior to unloading your belongings from your suitcase, make sure to promptly inform the staff so they understand that these issues existed since arrival. Naturally, should numerous items within the room be defective or not functioning correctly, this would be
warning sign of a poor quality hotel
, so you may want to reconsider your lodging options.
Preparing meals without having access to a proper kitchen space
“Don’t fall for the wild ideas on Instagram or TikTok suggesting you should boil your ramen noodles with a kettle or make a grilled cheese using an iron!” warns luxury travel consultant Rebecca Winke, who additionally provides hotel reviews.
Telegraph
You’ll damage the hotel’s facilities, face charges, and also create a significant fire risk.
We understand that you could be
traveling on a budget
However, if your room doesn’t have a kitchen or even a kitchenette, opt instead for making a simple cold sandwich or picking up some instant takeout ramen—which is conveniently pre-cooked. Additionally, avoid bringing along personal cooking equipment such as hot pots or similar devices. These items aren’t suitable for ensuring both safety and comfort during your hotel visit, nor do they respect the experience of fellow guests. Such appliances might fill the space with unpleasant odors, trigger the hotel’s smoke detection systems, or worse yet, lead to a real blaze.
Leaving precious items or valuable objects in your luggage or bureau
The majority of hotels and their accommodations are completely secure, with hotel administrations highly committed to maintaining this safety. Staff members seldom take items from guests’ rooms, and it is even less common for unauthorized individuals to access these spaces unnoticed. However, incidents do occur. Avoid risking theft by not leaving valuable possessions like jewelry, money, or computers out in plain sight inside your luggage or dressers; instead, utilize the
in-room safe
.
If you unfortunately encounter theft, inform both the hotel administration and your homeowner’s insurance provider, as they might cover your lost items during travel. However, outcomes can differ. Based on information from Utah lawyers at Ascent Law, regulations concerning hotel liabilities change depending on the state. Additionally, once you’re abroad (like my acquaintance who discovered this after her laptop was taken from her chamber in an upscale Italian hotel), hotels could refuse all responsibility entirely.
Smoking in any area or with anything within a non-smoking room
It might be clear when discussing behaviors to avoid in a hotel room: non-smoking rooms should absolutely not be used for smoking. A personal experience comes from my friend who thought she could circumvent the rule by smoking on the balcony of a non-smoking room; instead, she ended up being charged an additional $250 at check-out. Attempting to bypass these regulations through methods like ventilating the space or disabling the smoke detector is futile. Moreover, interfering with the smoke detector can pose serious risks.
If booking a smoking-friendly room isn’t possible, adhere to the hotel regulations and smoke only in the specified outdoor zones. This rule applies equally to vaping and using electronic cigarettes, as these too might trigger fire alarms. As for marijuana—regardless of legality—if smoked in any manner within an area where smoking is prohibited, it’s strictly forbidden.
Neglecting to check the mattress
Putting your
luggage in the bathtub
Or take a quick shower when you first enter your hotel room might seem like an unusual tip, yet we stand behind this advice. Despite the best efforts of even top-tier hotels and diligent cleaning staff, bed bugs can still be a problem.
“I consistently recommend that travelers place their bags in the bathtub until they have checked the bed for bedbugs,” advises Mitch Krayton from Krayton Travel, a bespoke travel agency located in Aurora, Colorado. Lift up the linens and examine the seams and borders of the mattress carefully. Should you discover any unwanted critters, photograph them and promptly inform hotel staff about what you’ve found. In case changing accommodations isn’t possible, demand relocating to another room—this too will require thorough inspection with meticulous attention.
Using the throw pillows
Those decorative cushions might appear inviting, yet consider carefully before deciding to lean your head—or anything else—against them. “While these pillows add charm to an interior space, my immediate action is storing them away because I can’t be sure about who has rested their heads on them,” explains Itzkowitz.
Although sheets and duvet covers are swapped out for every new guest, throw pillows and other textiles stay unchanged for some guests.
the most filthy areas in hotel rooms
“I share her sentiment regarding fabric-covered headboards—they look nice, yet they’re difficult to keep clean,” she remarks, “plus, one can only imagine how many heads have leaned against them.” Putting it like that makes me cringe too.
Dyeing your hair
Regardless of how urgently you require touch-ups for that significant occasion, attempting to dye your hair in a hotel room is bound for trouble. Avoiding stains on towels or bathrobes becomes nearly impossible, plus the color doesn’t rinse off easily—and could lead to additional charges. Furthermore, performing do-it-yourself acrylic or gel nail treatments indoors isn’t recommended either, according to Winke. The smell might disturb neighboring guests, not to mention risking damage to linens like towels and bedding. Instead, consider indulging yourself by requesting the hotel staff to schedule an appointment at a nearby beauty parlor for you.
Cheating the minibar
Mini-bars are among those
Amenities progressively disappearing from hotel accommodations
But if your place still offers those expensive miniature liquor bottles and $12 cans of nuts, keep in mind: The house always comes out ahead. Should you attempt to deceive the minibar – for instance, refilling an emptied vodka bottle with water (believe it or not, some individuals actually do this) – you will eventually be detected and billed accordingly.
This rule also pertains to late-night or early-morning grabs from the minibar. Should you remove an item such as a canned beverage from the refrigerator just prior to checking out, housekeepers will ultimately spot the discrepancy and charge you for it later. Similarly, be cautious with unpackaged goods like chips or candies; unless explicitly stated otherwise, these aren’t complimentary either. “I rarely utilize hotel minibars due to their high costs,” remarks Pauline Frommer, acclaimed guidebook writer, TV personality, and head of Frommer Media. “However, if I do help myself towards the end of my visit, I ensure to inform reception staff so they can include it in my account.”
Transmitting confidential data via hotel Wi-Fi
I recently stayed in a hotel room with a friend and attempted to log into my online banking account using the hotel’s complimentary Wi-Fi. To my surprise, she nearly screamed in alarm—she was absolutely correct: Transmitting personal data through the hotel’s Wi-Fi network was indeed an inexperienced blunder. “Nobody should ever, under any circumstances, share sensitive details or handle crucial matters over this kind of connection.”
hotel Wi-Fi
— at the very least, not without encryption,” states Harold Li, the vice president of ExpressVPN, an online security firm. “Considering how simple it is to breach public Wi-Fi networks, it’s akin to shouting your passwords and banking information out loud in a hallway.”
Wise travelers employ encryption to protect their online activities when sharing crucial data. Thus, prior to your upcoming hotel visit, familiarize yourself with how a VPN (virtual private network) can safeguard your details on public Wi-Fi networks.
Utilizing the sprinkler as a makeshift clothes rack
Closets are ideal for hanging clothing; however, the sprinklers installed in your hotel room’s ceiling are not meant for that purpose. Despite this, this situation occurs quite frequently, particularly in hostels and similar accommodations.
budget travelers
, who might be hand-washing clothing and then hanging it up to dry. This seems like a comical act, and although it likely won’t cause an overflow throughout the entire hotel (since unintentional activation of fire sprinklers doesn’t happen often), it has the potential to harm the sprinkler system. You would be held accountable for any such damages.
When handwashing clothing, ensure you let them air-dry in the shower or over the bathtub rather than on various surfaces or items within your living space. According to Linda Martinez, who runs the Beehive Hostel in Rome alongside her partner, their establishment has strict guidelines about drying damp garments indoors. “Guests often drape these articles onto beds, radiators, or even out the windows,” she explains. “Clothes flapping from an open window look unsightly, plus moisture can harm furnishings and corrode heating systems.”
Stomping around
Living in a hotel feels quite similar to residing in an apartment. There are neighboring rooms close by, often with flimsy walls and flooring. Besides controlling loud noises and conversations, guests must also consider their footwear choices during their stay at the hotel. “When staying in ancient structures like historic Roman palaces which date back hundreds of years—where noise insulation measures cannot completely eliminate disturbances from one floor to another—I usually remove my hard-bottomed or stiletto heels,” explains Itzkowitz. “Alternatively, using provided slippers is even more preferable.” Additionally, complimentary disposable slippers can come in handy for added comfort.
things you
can
remove from a hotel room
when you check out.)
Sneaking in your pets
Being a dedicated dog lover all my life, I’ve encountered plenty of those pleading “puppy dog eyes” whenever I take out my suitcase for yet another journey—one of my dogs even attempts to climb inside while I’m packing. However, unless I’m planning to check into a
pet-friendly hotel
, my dear dogs have to remain seated … at home.
It’s pointless to attempt evading regulations or deceiving the employees. If your pet starts barking, it might reveal their presence; even some cats can vocalize rather audibly. Pets tend to leave traces behind like hair, footprints, and odors, which could lead to dramatically increased cleaning costs if discovered. Moreover, this behavior shows disrespect towards the housekeeping team, who are diligently striving to maintain clean and hygienic living spaces for everyone.
Making a huge mess
Enjoying assistance with tasks such as making the bed and cleaning up your space is one of the perks of staying at a hotel. However, refrain from abusing this privilege by causing extensive disarray within the room. “It’s important to show consideration for the housekeeping team,” advises Itzkowitz. “These workers often go unnoticed; they receive some of the lowest wages and frequently face pressure to quickly tidy numerous rooms.”
If you’ve ordered
room service
Or have had some fun in the room, at the very least gather your dishes and empty containers neatly. Also, avoid leaving soiled clothing scattered around during your stay as it complicates the cleanup process.
Deciding to test out the pillows when you’re ready to sleep tonight.
Immediately after you’ve inspected your bed for bed bugs and given it the green light, check the pillows you’ll be using. Winke mentions this as one of the steps.
initial tasks to handle in your hotel room
“If you’re particular about pillows,” she advises, “make sure to inspect them right away and ask the front desk to provide additional options or different ones throughout the day when the hotel has ample staffing and can promptly address such requests.” By the time you feel tired and ready for bed, you might lack the enthusiasm to handle issues; moreover, at smaller establishments where only one person might be covering the night shift, your request could take longer to process before you turn in.
Missing out on a daily household cleaning suggestion
To start with: You ought to leave now.
tips for hotel housekeeping
Housekeeping staff at hotels put in tremendous effort and tolerate low wages since it’s now customary for them to receive tips,” explains Frommer. “By not tipping them, you’re violating this unwritten social agreement and behaving unfairly.
She emphasizes that tipping daily is preferable to waiting until the end of your stay, ensuring that the individual directly responsible for the cleaning receives their compensation. Since housekeepers operate in rotating shifts, the staff member who cleans your room on Tuesday may differ from the one working on Wednesday. A fair method would be to provide a daily gratuity ranging from $3 to $5. This way, each day’s cleaner benefits immediately without anyone being shortchanged.
Enjoying “fun” just a bit more than necessary
Got it. Hotel rooms make excellent settings for some playful antics, particularly when you’re feeling adventurous.
romantic getaway
However, walls and floors might not be very thick, which means you should avoid making loud noises on the floor as well as doing anything else noisy in your hotel room. You wouldn’t want to receive awkward glances at the breakfast buffet, right? Practicing courtesy by keeping the noise level low adds to the romance of your encounter.
Acting disrespectful towards the employees
Travel has never been more stressful—not just for guests but also for those working in the hospitality sector. From airlines to restaurants, and hotels,
all-inclusive resorts
Retail establishments are facing staff shortages, which means travelers frequently end up dealing with these issues. You might find yourself assisted by someone who is still learning their role or someone who has too much on their plate, or perhaps the place you’re staying at doesn’t have enough employees. Any glitches in service or when making specific requests usually aren’t due to one individual alone. This would be an ideal moment to adopt a softer approach as a tourist: try being slightly more understanding and somewhat less assertive, and you’ll increase your chances of getting what you asked for.
Additional reporting by Noelia Trujillo.
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Sources:
-
Pauline Frommer, president of
Frommer Media
; interviewed, February 2025 -
Linda Martinez, co-owner of
The Beehive Hostel
In Rome; interviewed in February 2025 -
Laura Itzkowitz
travel author and lodging specialist; interview conducted in May 2023 -
Rebecca Winke
luxury travel consultant; interviewed in May 2023 -
Mitch Krayton,
Krayton Travel
; interviewed, May 2023 -
Harold Li, who serves as the vice president,
ExpressVPN
; interviewed, May 2023
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