First Vacation at a hotel - Tips?

[dekraut]

Hello all,

Thought it might seem crazy to hear, at 42 years old, I will be staying in a hotel for the first time in my life on vacation. I have stayed for a night here or there over the years, but never for a full vacation, and never at WDW. Our family of four will be at POFQ 1.18-1.24.

I am looking for any tips on hotel etiquette, dos and don'ts, and other tips that experienced "hotelers" would be willing to pass along.

For example, in our own camper we don't have mousekeeping, so reading a thread the other day about tipping them was something I wouldn't have thought of before. I can just imagine them thinking I was cheap, when in actuality I just wouldn't have known to do it.

That made me worry about things like: I know there are small room safes, but do you lock everything else (laptop, extra cash, etc.) in your suitcase each day before you head out or are the room safes very secure? Are there any common signals of how to get more of something you need when mousekeeping comes? Anything considered bad form other than the obvious I might not be aware of? We want to be good guests!

What else don't I know about staying in a hotel in general, or more specific things I should know about our Disney stay?

Thanks very much for any help.

 

[Julylady]

Some people tip housekeeping, others do not. Its not something you MUST do. Personally, I tip housekeeping when they have to clean up around my stuff, generally about $3 per day. In my experience you need to make it really obvious that the money is for them. I usually put it on the bathroom counter or next to the little sign that says who your housekeeper is. If you just lay it on a dresser, they might think you were just emptying your pockets.

I never lock anything in my luggage. In fact, I don't even take locks for my luggage since you can't lock them when flying. I do use the hotel safe. I put my ipad, credit cards, cash, jewelry, etc. in the wall safe. You open/lock it with a 4 digit code that you pick.

If I need more of something like coffee or shampoo, I generally leave a handwritten note in the bathroom next to my tip. For other things, I call the Housekeeping number and make my request. We always call for extra blankets and towels. Lots of times I also call for more hangers as I like to hang our things up.

If you want new towels each day, leave them on the floor or in the bathtub. If they are hung up on the towel rack, most housekeepers will assume you want to use them again. I am never sure about sheets. I don't think most hotels change them out daily if the same person is staying for multiple days. If you do want the sheets changed, I would strip the bed in the morning.

Some hotels will use a bed spread or bed scarf. These items are not washed between guests and that grosses me out. So the first thing I do when I enter the room is carefully fold it up and put it on the top shelf of the closet. It normally remains there my entire stay. I also use a Clorox wipe or a wet one to wipe down the remote control and they carry a lot of germs. I also swipe the door handles. It takes me 30 seconds. Some people also check for bed bugs, but I personally don't. I just keep my fingers crossed.

Every hotel has a plastic bag hanging in the closet for laundry. You can put your laundry in it, complete the form and they will launder those items for a charge. I always use the bag for my own soiled laundry.

Some people like to unpack their clothes and use the dressers. Others live out of their luggage. Personally, we use packing cubes and place the opened packing cube in the drawers.

Some things we always bring are: paper Dixie cups - we put them in the bathroom to hold toothbrushes and toothpaste, liquid hand soap - my girls have never used bar soap so I bring my own squirt soap, my own shampoo/conditioner - I normally don't like hotel brands.

Check to see that all the lights work. If they don't work it could be that the bulb is burned out (call Housekeeping). Often though, the previous guest has unplugged the lamp so that they could use the outlet most probably to recharge their phone or laptop.

All hotels have a hair dryer, but sometimes it takes a bit of searching for it. They can be in the drawer in the bathroom or on a shelf in the closet.

If you are traveling with kids, please be considerate. If you have a connecting room, be aware that the sound travels across the connecting doors. You can usually hear conversations from the next room and they can hear yours. Also, if your room is above another, it can sound like a herd of elephants. We make the kids use indoor voices and take off their shoes at the door. No yelling in the room EVER.

We also have specific places where things go. We designate a drawer for each kid and all their "things" must go in the drawer when they are done with it. If everyone just leaves their stuff around, the room becomes a nightmare really quickly. We pick a specific place for Magic Band and every night each person must put their Magic Band in that spot. No exceptions. Soiled clothes must be put in the laundry bag, not left laying in the bathroom or beside the bed. Uneaten snacks or wrappers must be put in the garbage can. (This sounds bossy, but I run a pretty tight ship on vacation.)

I hope this helps, OP!

 

[bumbershoot]

In fact, I don't even take locks for my luggage since you can't lock them when flying.

Of course you can lock them when flying. They make a million types of TSA "friendly" locks, but even if you use an old luggage lock it's fine. If TSA needs to get in they'll get in and leave a note. If there's no note, sometimes is missing, and your lock is broken, then you know someone was up to no good behind the scenes.


OP I leave a simple "for housekeeping" note with the cash, or I clear an area that's really obvious and leave the tip out.

If I need more shampoo, I put whatever small amount of shampoo I might still have away; that queues them to put out more. Same with soap, etc. If I do that and more isn't left, I call Housekeeping (it's a button on the phone) and request more.

We don't often have housekeeping come in, because DH is often on his way from or to a work trip and has a lot of electronics with him. We aren't worried about the housekeeper, but we know that the M.O. of housekeeping at Disney is to work on more than one room at a time, and that means they are in one room while keeping another room unlocked but with the cart in front of the door. Anyone can get by the cart and into a room. We don't like that, and if he's carrying too much to put into the (fairly small) safe, we generally let Housekeeping know we don't need them that day AND put the Do Not Disturb sign up.

 

[LisaCM614]

Enjoy your stay! I hope it is magical!
The other tips are great. I have one to add - if you are travelling with children and they have special stuffed animals or blankies that they are travelling with - gather them up every morning and pack them in one of your drawers or bags. This keeps them safe from accidentally getting swept up in the cleaning that the housekeeping is doing!

Also, I just call the front desk when I want more towels or shampoo or coffee. We always need more towels!

 

[tobikaye]

For the most part, it is general common sense that needs to be used, although you will find that not all guests have any common sense. If you are unsure about something, just go to the front desk and as a CM your question. As the pps indicated, tipping housekeeping, using housekeeping, or locking items up is all an individual issue.

Personally, I usually only use housekeeping every other day or two depending on towels and cleanliness of room. Sometimes I tip, especially if I feel I have left a bigger mess, and sometimes I do not, especially if I really just need trash removed. I will leave notes if it is something specific that I need and usually there is no issue.

I do not think I have used a safe in a hotel as I normally do not have anything that needs to go in there. I sometimes lock my electronics in my suitcase if I bring a laptop.

 

[dekraut]

I hope this helps, OP!

It helps tremendously! THank you for taking the time to post!

I call Housekeeping (it's a button on the phone) and request more.

So I just have to push a button?? When I am camping I have to do it all myself!

This keeps them safe from accidentally getting swept up in the cleaning that the housekeeping is doing!

Had this happen once during a hospital stay for my son when he was little... we never saw "Mr. Bear" again... so sad.

although you will find that not all guests have any common sense.

I agree! I am just trying not to be one of them!

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

Trust me - you SHOULD check for bedbugs! It will cost you a lot of money and time if you bring them home with you.

 

[dekraut]

Trust me - you SHOULD check for bedbugs! It will cost you a lot of money and time if you bring them home with you.

I do trust you! I have already read a few sites on how to inspect for these little beauties! I would like to come home with the rugrats, but not the bedbugs!

 

[Red1116]

Very thoughtful OP. Have a blast! I would add to use the deadbolts especially if you plan to sleep in. And you might want to have the Disney wake up calls. Could be fun for your family.

 

[jerseygal]

Just wanted to wish you AN AWESOME TRIP! Hope that it is MAGICAL!
Personally, we lock all VALUABLES in the safe, rather than in a locked suitcase. Yes for security purposes, I agree with Red1116 to use the deadbolt at all times when you are in the room; you certainly wouldn't want housekeeping or maintenance to possibly open the door! ENJOY!

 

[dekraut]

Disney wake up calls

That sounds cool! I assume it is a recorded character voice calling to let us know it is time to get up? I will have to figure out how to set that up. Our DS10 and DD6 would probably like that. Thank you.

we lock all VALUABLES in the safe,

Hoping it is big enough for a 14" macbook, but if not, we will likely use our suitcase. Thanks!

 

[buzznina]

Hope you have a magical trip, POFQ is a great resort. Our DDs like leaving their dolls and stuff animals out because sometimes mousekeeping will set them up when they make the beds. We lock up any cash or jewelry, and I usually either leave my laptop out or at the most just stick it in the drawer.

 

[Shellyb84]

That sounds cool! I assume it is a recorded character voice calling to let us know it is time to get up? I will have to figure out how to set that up. Our DS10 and DD6 would probably like that. Thank you.

Hoping it is big enough for a 14" macbook, but if not, we will likely use our suitcase. Thanks!

The wake up calls are great! Definitely helped get my DD(5) out of the bed. I just wished they changed out the character more often, Baymax woke us up every day of our week's stay. It's super easy to set up, there is a button on the room phone.

The safe is likely big enough for the Macbook. If not, they can put it in the safe deposit box at the front desk. I think that would be more secure than your suitcase. Other than the thing mentioned above, some people also put any medications in their safe.

As far as tipping Mousekeeping, I never knew tipping was common until very recently! So I have never done it, but always had great service. I put the toiletries in my bag before I leave and they always leave more. The only extra thing we had to request during our trip was toilet paper. They would always do cute things with the toys and stuffed animals laying around. I don't know if I will start tipping in the future or not. Maybe if I start seeing a lack in service?

I would always tip bell services though or the valet.

They give you towels at the pool so don't take your room towels (we've only ever stayed at condos anytime we would be swimming, so I didn't know this when I first stayed on property).

Have fun!!!

 

[Shellyb84]

Also, if you haven't yet, make sure to call and note any special occasions on your reservations (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) even if they are just close but not the exact time you are staying.

Also if you have room requests (ground floor, near elevator, etc.), call and note those on your reservation, in order of importance. It's usually best to stick with just 2 or 3.

 

[Kimi313]

Also with the wake up call, when you answer push the speaker button so the whole room can hear.

 

[novatwinmom]

I haven't seen this listed - consider bringing a power strip to charge your electronics, as well as an extension cord. Someone upthread mentioned people unplugging lamps to charge electronics - it's because all of the outlets are generally in use. There *might* be one available in a bathroom. As power strips generally aren't very heavy, it's easy to just throw one into your suitcase just in case. I usually just leave my power strip out all the time, but others would point out that having one in plain sight tips those with bad intentions off that there are electronics in the room. If that's the case, I would put it in a drawer or suitcase during the day.

I second putting any irreplaceable stuffed animals or blankets into a drawer during the day, and would add pacifiers to that list if applicable. You don't want to be looking for a replacement late at night, and though my understanding is that some gift shops might have the NUK kind, my kids liked the "other" kind so we couldn't even replace them on property if we tried!

 

[dekraut]

mousekeeping will set them up when they make the beds

Those pics are awesome! How neat!

I would always tip bell services though or the valet.

What is bell services? And by valet, are you talking about parking? Sorry... I really am new at this.

push the speaker button

Great Idea! THANKS! I can just see me answering and then realizing that the kids wouldn't hear the voice!

consider bringing a power strip

Read this one somewhere and have it on my list!

would add pacifiers to that list if applicable.

Thankfully, we are passed this stage. I love them when they were babies, but I think I love traveling with them more now! It is so much easier!

 

[Shellyb84]

Those pics are awesome! How neat!


What is bell services? And by valet, are you talking about parking? Sorry... I really am new at this.

Bell services handle your luggage (storing it, bringing up to your room) and yes, valet parking.

 

[disnut8]

I have one to add - if you are travelling with children and they have special stuffed animals or blankies that they are travelling with - gather them up every morning and pack them in one of your drawers or bags. This keeps them safe from accidentally getting swept up in the cleaning that the housekeeping is doing!

I grew up camping but my husband's family always used hotels/motels when traveling so it was an experience for me to "go over" when we got married and had our son shortly after. The very first time we stayed in a hotel with our son, my husband made sure everything was off the beds and the floor before we left in the morning. Once my son was able to walk and "be a human", he was told to do the same with his things. It's quite funny now because my son has two kids of his own and they will be slobs at home but in a hotel room - they clear everything off the beds and floor.

And even funnier? The only thing that got "lost" in a hotel room? My husband's phone! He had laid it down on the bed as we were loading things up in the morning and then forgot it. Yes, he gets kidded about it all the time.

 

[disnut8]

Other hints - find out where the ice machine is and use it when you need it. Take a binder clip for the drapes so you can shut out the morning light or evening fake lights if you need/want to since most hotel drapes close in the middle. Make sure you have a Do Not Disturb sign and use it when you need/want it. When inside your room, there will be a door lock and a "deadbolt" lock (the kind you tip over above the door lock). Use both at night. Housekeeping can use a master key for the door lock but only someone breaking down the door can undo with "deadbolt" lock.