Every seasoned traveller has their own tricks for making the most of their trips, from using comparison sites to packing light.
Insider information is always welcome, though, and workers throughout the hospitality and tourism industry have plenty of trade secrets to spill.
Travel firm eShores spoke to hotel staff including waitresses, chefs, receptionists and cleaners to get their top five tips for enjoying your stay.
You want a holiday to be unforgettable for the right reasons, so take their advice on board before you next check in.
Always check the kettle in your room
According to staff, who wish to remain anonymous, you should double-check everything you drink in a hotel room.
Occupants have been known to add unmentionables into kettles – an item not checked daily by housekeeping – so it’s best to save boiling until you’ve checked inside unless you want a nasty surprise.
And mini bars aren’t safe, either. One hotel worker recalls a guest urinating into a bottle from the mini bar and replacing the cap, only to be discovered when the next guest arrived and tried to take a drink.
With that in mind, you should ensure no seals on items have been broken before consuming. It’s better to be safe than sorry after all.
Don’t check in late
Receptionists who took part in the research admitted many budget hotels purposely overbook rooms to maximise profits, based on the assumption that some guests won’t show up. If they end up with too many people checking in, they’ll move you to another nearby hotel and cover taxi costs – but this is obviously a significant inconvenience.
This system usually impacts the guests who are last to arrive. So, if you’re heading to an evening show or event and are thinking of checking in afterwards, perhaps reconsider your plans.
Flush on arrival
If you’re heading to a hotel in a hotter climate, hotel staff have one key piece of advice: flush the toilet when you first get to your room after check-in, or when returning after a day out. In warm locations, the toilet bowl and under the seat make perfect hiding spots for creepy crawlies, especially spiders. Unless you want to risk an unpleasant shock, don’t sit down without flushing first!
Avoid the cooked breakfast if you’revegetarian
The breakfast buffet at hotels can be a welcome option if you don’t want to roll too far out of bed in the morning. But for vegans and vegetarians, it’s often best to give it a miss.
Staff revealed that cross-contamination can be rife during the breakfast rush, and say they’ve seen veggie items such as tomatoes and eggs (which you’d think are safe for non meat-eaters) cooked on trays covered in bacon grease.
Additionally, the tongs guests use to serve themselves can get mixed up, meaning you could end up inadvertently consuming meat. Stick to the continental if you’re unsure.
Wipe down bedside drawers
For most hotels, particularly budget options, housekeeping will do a quick turnover of the room between guests. This includes cleaning surfaces, hoovering and changing bedding, but they often must be in and out within fifteen minutes, so wardrobes or drawers aren’t cleaned every time.
Hotel cleaners claim intimate items are some of the most common things left behind in rooms, usually in the bedside drawer, so giving them a quick wipe down helps give you peace of mind.
Anti-bacterial spray or wipes tend to be a good idea regardless, and thankfully won’t take up too much room in your luggage.
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