Things Everyone Should Do When They Arrive At A Hotel Room

1. Ensure that your door locks

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Going on vacation is a great way to escape from the manic nature of day-to-day life, and really take the time to relax and unwind. With the stress that can come with travelling, we often try to rush through hotel check-in, so we can rest as quickly as possible. This means that we may not do essential safety checks, when we get to our hotel room. One of the most important being: ensuring all the doors within your room lock (especially your room door). This is one of the simplest ways to ensure your safety whilst traveling.

2. Check for bed bugs

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The next essential part of your check-in, would be to check your room for bed bugs. Of course, the main area to check would be your bed, and the sheets within your hotel room. Bed bugs are a serious health hazard, and are indicators of extremely poor cleanliness standards. If you do come across bed bugs, you should report it to the front desk immediately, ask to be moved into a different room and ask for some form of compensation e.g. complete or partial refund for your stay. No matter how tired you are, always check for bed bugs before settling down for the night.

3. Get familiar with the escape route

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This next tip may not be as obvious as some of the others on this list, and it is: familiarizing yourself with the hotel's escape/evacuation route (in the event of a fire etc). You will often find these escape routes in a plethora of places, around the hotel e.g. in the hallways, stairwells, your hotel room, in the hotel lobby and elevators. The best way to familarize yourself with any evacuation routes/plans, is to take a picture of any sign on your cellphone, and this will provide you with an accessible copy of the route.

4. Wash the hotel room glasses

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With the majority of hotel rooms, you will find complimentary water glasses, which are great to quench your thirst after extended periods of travelling. However, these glasses often harbor a range of bacteria, and are not as thoroughly cleaned as they should be. This makes it even more important, to rinse these glasses out before you even think about drinking from them. If the glasses are visibly dirty, it is best to notify the front desk, and ask for some replacement glasses. If you're still wary about using the glasses for drinking, they can always be used to store your toothbrush and toothpaste instead.

5. Check the sheets and towels

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This may also seem like an obvious safety check when travelling, but it is essential that you check the bedsheets and towels in your hotel room. These are another key indicator of poor cleanliness within your hotel, and should be dealt with accordingly. If you do find dirty sheets and/or towels once you check into your room, contact the front desk to ask for clean sheets, and ask for some form of compensation on your overall booking. If the cleanliness is completely non-existent, you should change your accommodation entirely.

6. Clean the TV remote

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It is important to wipe down certain surfaces once you've checked into hotel room, with one of those being: your television remote (if your room is fitted with a television). Similarly to the water glasses, your television remote harbors a variety of bacteria, and are often not cleaned thoroughly. Packing some form of antibacterial wipe, will ensure that you can disinfect certain surfaces, and will reduce the risk of you contracting any sort of sickness bug. Another way you can reduce this risk, is by using antibacterial gel to cleanse your hands.

7. Clean the ice bucket

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Now this next tip will only apply to particular hotels, and their amenities. The tip in question is: cleaning your room's ice bucket. Again, ice buckets can harbor an array of germs, and should be rinsed throughly, before you can even consider using it. It is best to rinse the bucket out after each use, to prevent the build up of general scum and bacteria. If you feel that your ice bucket is unsuitable and/or unsatisfactory in any way, you can contact the front desk, and request a replacement.

8. Check for hidden cameras

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Searching for hidden cameras may not be at the forefront of your mind when checking into your hotel room, but it is something to be wary of, and should be done if you suspect you are being watched. Hidden cameras are usually hidden in plain site. For example, they could be hidden within light switches, alarm clocks, lightbulbs, doorknobs and behind glass (commonly referred to as a two-way mirror). If you suspect that there are hidden cameras in your hotel room, you must report it to the authorities straight away!

9. Lock away your valuables

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Another essential safety tip, is to lock away your valuables within the hotel room safe (which is often located within the closet, or a drawer). These safes are perfect to use when you're going out for the day, or you want to explore the local area without taking all of your belongings e.g. your wallet, phone, jewellery etc. Just be sure to make a note of the safe combination, so you don't accidentally lock your valuables away forever! If this does happen, you can always ask the front desk for suitable assistance.

10. Try your best to relax

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Most importantly, you should be taking this time to relax. The best way to do this, following your room check-in and safety checks, is to run yourself a nice bubble bath, order some room service and unpack your luggage. With some luxury hotels, or private accommodation e.g. AirBnB, you may have the use of a balcony or outdoor area for relaxation. This sort of area can be perfect for soaking in the evening, and unwinding after an extended period of travelling and/or exploration. Just ensure that you feel 100% comfortable in your room, so you can truly relax!

11. Acquaint yourself with the hotel

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The next travelling tip, concerns what you should be doing prior to actually going on vacation. During the planning process of your trip, you will be trying to find the best deals, when it comes to flights and accommodation. It is best to compare accommodation prices across a variety of sites, in order to get the best deal possible. Once you have done this, it is important to acquaint yourself with the hotel. This includes: its location, what local amenities are nearby and what services it may provide.

12. Make note of their cancellation policy

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Another important thing to do when booking a hotel, is to make a note of their cancellation policy, as this can (and will) differ from hotel-to-hotel. In the possible instance, that your plans change, or something disrupts your trip, you may in a position of having to cancel your booking. This could mean that you get a partial or full refund from your booking, or another form of compensation e.g. voucher. The majority of hotels will have a 30 day cancellation period, where you're guaranteed your money back (just double-check the policy before booking).

13. Bring a map of the local area

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Adding to your travel essentials, will be a map of the local area you're staying in. This will be useful for more remote areas, and for if you don't want to use your cell-phone to access a map. The majority of tourist maps will also include details of attractions to visit locally, and a more detailed look at the local trails etc. Bringing a local map is also essential, when you're driving to your vacation destination, as you'll be able to plan out important rest-stops and follow the most efficient route to your destination.

14. Check your booking details

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Checking your booking details, is another key part of planning your overall vacation. It is important to check all of your booking details, so you can ensure your personal details are correct. It also ensures that your general bookings are correct, and you won't have to pay extra money to change any details. It is advised that you have both a digital and physical copy of all your booking details, so you can refer back to them, no matter when or where you may need to. You can keep the physical copies within a folder, so you prevent the risk of losing them.

15. Make note of the hotel's check-in time

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Whilst acquainting yourself with your chosen hotel, it is important to make a note of their check-in time and general process. By checking this, you will be able to plan your trip more efficiently, and won't be caught out by any potential late check-in charges. It is also important to check your hotel's check-out time and process, so you can manage your time effectively (and avoid any potential late check-out charges). If you're not 100% sure of the processes, you can always contact your hotel, and speak to a member of staff for clarification.

16. Make sure your ID matches your booking

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This next point ties in with the general planning, and booking process, of your vacation. Ensuring your identification fits your booking details. The majority of accommodation these days, require a valid form of identification, in order for you to check-in to your room. Obviously, your identification is essential for any trip; whether it's your passport, driving licence, citizenship card etc. Always double-check the details you provide when booking, and make a note of the individual who is responsible for the booking.

17. Check the hotel's amenities

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Hotel amenities will range from hotel-to-hotel, so it is important to make a note of what your hotel will be providing. Of course, you will be packing your own toiletries, but sometimes it can be necessary, to make use of the hotel's toiletries. You may also require other amenities, such as a wheelchair-accessible room or a room on a specific floor e.g. ground floor for easier access. By making a note of the hotel's amenities, you can plan your trip accordingly, and make a knowledgeable choice when it comes to booking your accommodation.

18. Check the cleaning protocols

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Hotels come with complimentary housekeeping, and every hotel's cleaning protocol is different. You can get information about you chosen hotel's cleaning protocol in a variety of ways. This can be done by checking their website's frequently asked questions (F.A.Q'S), emailing the hotel, phoning the hotel or checking your hotel room (as there are often small information cards, detailing the cleaning protocol). Many hotel cleaners will clean your room in the middle of the day, as this will (most likely) be the time you are out of your room.

19. Call the front desk

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Once you have checked into your hotel room, you should make a call to the front desk. This is to ensure that your phone actually works, and you are able to connect with the front desk. Checking the room's phone is essential for your safety and general needs. You may want to use the phone to order room service, get a query answered, report any problems with your room or to get some form of help if you find yourself injured and/or in danger. If the phone is faulty, you should report this to the front desk and ask for a replacement (if one is available).

20. Keep luggage in sight at all times

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Luggage can be the cause of many problems and stress when travelling, especially when it gets lost, damaged or stolen. There are a multitude of ways you can prevent these things from happening, such as: using luggage padlocks, attaching a distinctive badge to your luggage (with your contact details on it), using a distinctive bag e.g. something with bright colors and/or patterns. But, one of the most effective ways of keeping your luggage safe, is by keeping it within your sight at all times, throughout your journey.

21. Be overprotective with personal data

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Protecting your personal data is important within every aspect of day-to-day life, but it is particularly important when you're travelling. It can be surprisingly easy for illegitimate holiday companies to steal your personal data, and use it to scam you out of hundreds of dollars! When booking your accommodation, you should always check for independent reviews, and certified (ATOL) protection. Through each stage of booking, if you ever have second-thoughts or doubts, you should cancel your booking immediately and phone your bank to report suspected, fraudulent activity.

22. Plan ahead

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Planning is a key element to any vacation, and sometimes it is necessary to plan out specific details. This is where planning ahead becomes extremely useful. Planning ahead, will often lead to the creation of a detailed trip itinerary, which includes set dates and times for pre-determined activities during your vacation. Planning ahead, also allows you to manage your time more efficiently; especially in the context of your actual travelling, airport arrival/check-in, flights and (overall) hotel check-in.

23. Request a better floor

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As mentioned previously, you may require certain adjustments (within your room) for a comfortable stay. These adjustments can vary, and may include: requesting a specific floor within your chosen hotel. For example, a wheelchair user may prefer to be situated on the ground floor, for easier access to amenities/general navigation of the hotel. To request a specific floor during your stay, you may be able to complete this through your booking process, or by contacting the hotel ahead of time (to make them aware of your specifications).

24. Ensure your windows lock

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Similarly to the first point, it is imperative that you ensure that your room's windows lock. This should be done as soon as you check into your room, and if there are any problems, they should be reported immediately! This also applies to your windows not opening and/or closing properly, if your window is damaged in any way e.g. cracked or smashed and if your windows are just not up to a suitable standard. If you find that your room's window(s) aren't suitable, you may be able to receive some form of compensation form your hotel.

25. Use a door wedge

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Using a door wedge, might not be the most obvious of things to do once you've checked into the hotel room, but it should be done a lot more often when travelling. By using a door wedge, you will be able to air out your room, before settling in. Allowing your room to air out properly, will ensure that any airborne germs can be expelled, and will bring a general 'freshness' to the room. Using a door wedge, will also make it easier to check-in to your room, especially if you have a large selection of luggage with you.

26. Check the alarm clock

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This next point is only applicable for some hotels and their amenities. The point is question is: checking the room's alarm clock. This is essential to ensure the alarm clock is fully functional (if you should need to use it), and to inspect it for any (potential) hidden cameras. If you have any problems with the alarm clock, you can report it to the front desk for a replacement, or you may find it easier to use the alarm clock feature within your cell-phone. You can always place the alarm clock into the nightstand (if available).

27. Check for hiding spots

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Another way to increase your safety within your hotel room, is by checking for any potential hiding spots/areas. These could be spots that yourself (or someone else) can use in the result of an emergency and/or presence of impending danger. The kind of areas you can use include (but aren't restricted to): closets, under beds, bathrooms, airing cupboard, low cupboards e.g. under a sink or on a balcony. Of course, if you believe yourself to be in any form of danger, you should contact the local law enforcement immediately.

28. Wash your hands

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Another key way of preventing the spread and contraction of any illnesses when travelling, is by washing your hands. This is particularly important once you've checked into your hotel room, as there's no telling how many germs you have probably picked up on the duration of your journey. Washing your hands is just a common practice for great cleanliness, and it shouldn't be ignored, just because you're on vacation. Before you even begin to settle goes into your hotel room, you should wash your hands thoroughly.

29. Check the dresser/nightstand drawers

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This next tip concerns your room's dresser, and nightstand drawers. You should make sure that you check these drawers thoroughly. This is to ensure that there aren't any leftover possessions from past visitors, or potential hidden cameras. By checking these drawers, you will also be able to gauge how much storage space you will have during your stay. You may also find, that the room's safe is located within one of these drawers, so this will provide your valuables with another layer of security.

30. Bring a door/personal alarm

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Finally, another key safety tip when travelling, is to bring your own door and/or personal alarm. You can purchase these kind of alarms from a variety of websites (including Amazon). Many of these alarms are small and discreet, yet powerful. These alarms are triggered when an intruder enters your room (door alarms), and can be used to ward off/alert the public to potential attacks from strangers (personal safety alarms). Another great thing about these alarms, is their portability, as they are often small enough to keep on a keychain.