Most people consider staying in a hotel one of the highlights of their vacations. That’s because other people find it more exciting to sleep in a hotel bed than in their beds, so they commonly associate hotel beds with comfort, relaxation, and cleanliness. But even the most sophisticated establishment will make mistakes.
There are a few aspects that you should inspect in your hotel room during your trip before you start getting cozy and comfy. Knowing what things to check in your room from the moment you enter will ensure your stay’s comfort, safety, and cleanliness. Here are some essential aspects that you should inspect in your hotel room:
Hidden Cameras
If you’re a frequent traveler, one of the best habits you should develop is checking your surroundings for unnecessary plugs, extant wires, or blinking lights. That’s because it can indicate the room has hidden cameras. You can search the room at one glance, but you should be more attentive to desk lamps, mirrors, clothing hooks, tissue boxes, smoke detectors, and other decorative elements.
You can also turn the room’s lights off and look for blinking green or red lights from camera LEDs. Use your phone’s flashlight to look for reflective lights in the room.
WI-FI Connection
You might not have to update your family and friends of your whereabouts, but you still need that Wi-FI connection to browse the internet. It’ll be the key to gathering important information on the museum you’re planning to visit or checking your flight details. Make sure that it’s a secure connection, which means it needs a password to access. It’ll also be advisable to use VPN when going online.
You can always ask the concierge to check their connection if it’s not working at all or slow. In these cases, restarting the modem might help address the problem.
Toiletries
Depending on the accommodation you booked, you might have to be flexible about your expectations on the toiletries or tools provided. Be prepared, and be sure to pack your toiletries or essential items. But if the establishment promises to offer toiletries upon reservation, and they’re not present, you can always approach the concierge. It’ll only be disturbing to use hand towels after taking a shower, won’t it?
Thermostat
If you find the room too cold or hot, you can always adjust the temperature as long as the HVAC or thermostat remote works properly. With water heaters, it might take a few minutes for the warmth or chill to kick in. However, if you need assistance or it’s broken, you should immediately inform the concierge. They’ll be the ones responsible for contacting the hotel’s plumbing contractor to address the problem.
Door Locks
You shouldn’t assume that the door locks will automatically lock behind you. Make it a habit during your trips to test the locks yourself. You can do that by stepping out of your room and checking if the door locks are working efficiently. One tip to remember is to always lock the deadbolts when you’re inside your room. It might not prevent thefts or break-ins, but that will give you time to think about your next actions.
Minibar
If you’re eyeing the products on the minibar, check the prices or if it’s locked. Even if you don’t have plans of raiding it, you should still check its contents. You don’t want the hotel to charge you for a product you didn’t consume. Immediately inform the concierge, so they can take note of that problem.
Outlets
One of the most overwhelming problems of a trip is finding out that the electrical outlets in your hotel room don’t fit your plugs. That’s a common problem even in the most known and sophisticated establishments. You can inform the concierge about this because the staff will be more than eager to lend theirs. One way to avoid this is to do your research and prepare yourself before leaving the house.
Hot Water
It’s also essential to test the shower to check if the showerhead has mold or rust, gives off a weird smell, or works correctly. Hot water might come out after a few minutes, or you might have to turn the switch on. Make it a part of your trip to test the hot water upon arriving, not when you are tired and need a shower.
Bedbugs
One last thing to check for is bedbugs. That’s because they can affect the room’s overall cleanliness, making your surroundings more harmful. Examine the bed’s corners for tiny, white eggs or dark spots. Try lifting the sheets and comforters to check the zippers and seams. If possible, use your phone’s flashlight to thoroughly inspect. You should also check the room’s carpet and sofa.
Hotel rooms get cleaned regularly, but the amount of scrubbing and thorough cleaning they receive differs. One tip to ensure your overall safety is bringing antibacterial wipes and checking for these aspects upon entering your room. Knowing what to look for will guarantee you’re one step ahead.
