When people check into a hotel, they want to feel comfortable in their room. They also need to keep their belongings secure while they’re out and about during their trip. researched and found that around 75% of traveling consumers are looking for new and innovative in-room technologies, and guests are seeking hotels that provide a digital infrastructural backbone so that they can use their personal devices to easily interact with the hotel’s services. This includes things like ordering room service, asking for help or housekeeping, or checking in and out. The truth about hotel room security is that if someone really wants to get into a room, the lock and chain on the door isn’t going to be much of an issue. This is why personal help is necessary and important. What is important for everyone to know about the locks on the doors like at Legacy Kitchens is not why a person can break in or not but are used in the first place and if they are operating correctly.
Here are some things you must know about hotel security and a guide to keep a hotel room safe and secure. Although the codes on hotel room doors may not seem like they’re very important, if a person can get one, they may be able to enter your room. Some of these electronic locks are better than others, but the best are the ones that have a one-time code for the key. Even though the lock operates on a code, you need to check carefully to see just how unique the code is, as some locks just use a system of breaking down and rearranging the code differently for each room. Whenever you travel, you need to use the hotel safe to keep your passport, any extra money, and your electronics. If a criminal wants to enter your room, the safe is probably the most secure item in the room to keep your documents or expensive electronics.
Pre-Arrival Preparation
1) After you’ve made your reservation and are all set to arrive at the hotel, spend some time contacting the hotel for any additional details you might need – things like directions to the hotel, the best way to get there, the best time to arrive, any special hotel facilities you might like to use, etc. Also, check with the hotel if you are required to prepay the bill or if you will have the option to pay at the time of departure. If you are responsible for payment before departure, find out beforehand what payment options are available to you.
2) If possible, make your travel arrangements and hotel reservations well in advance, since less competition for rooms might entitle you to a better rate, or if booked through a travel agent, you might also qualify for additional amenities. If you are making the reservation directly with the hotel, it’s always good to know if a hotel is a member of any special organizations that earn frequent flier miles. Call the hotel directly if you have any questions or wish to ask for a specific room located in a particular area of the hotel.
3) Lastly, find out what the hotel’s check-in and check-out times are. It is especially important for first-time travelers to know when they will be able to check in at the hotel, since most international flights arrive at a certain time of the day, usually much earlier than the advertised check-in time of most hotels. If this is your first time traveling, we want to assure you that hotels allow you to store your luggage with the bellmen until your room is ready, and while your room is being prepared, the bellmen will give you a special ticket that you will show upon your return to pick up your luggage, ensuring it will be delivered to you only.
Researching the Hotel
Choosing the best hotel to book for your vacation can be a difficult task because there are so many options worldwide. Nevertheless, sometimes our journey may be stressful or it can become a complete disaster only for the reason that we did not try to find out as much as possible about, for example, the place of our stay or placement of the room in the hotel, or the level of the hotel in general, its services, and staff’s intentions. We really believe that our guide to the steps that you should perform when entering a room of a hotel for the first time will help you to be more prepared and will definitely help you to conduct the following process in a very confident manner. We will make it easier for you by discussing some most valuable complicated stages: getting to the hotel’s location, parking your car, and entering your room with practical recommendations that, we hope, will satisfy your basic needs.
Do not forget to plan all your hotel stays properly and that one of the most important parts of any trip is when you make the decision to use the services of a hotel. If we suppose that we already made a choice concerning this issue, we have; however, there is no guarantee that our choice is the best one. Besides, we should think thoughtfully about the services that can be offered with it and available at the certain level; remember always to plan everything you can whenever you go anywhere. All you need is just to ask staff members as far in advance of your trip as possible – possibly at the time when you initially make your room reservation. Also, you may believe in their attentive personnel and expect them to help you with providing information if you come across something you are confused with in order to get rid of uncertainty. Our simple guide designed with a clear format allows you to avoid such difficulties in your trip.
Packing Essentials
We all want to make a spectacular appearance in our best clothes and accessories. But we tend to forget things in the bustling haste, which leads to dissatisfaction. But don’t worry. If you don’t wish to look bad during an outing or stay, needing last-minute wardrobe fittings where elevator music or news quizzes won’t be audible to you, follow these essential steps before you check in at a beautifully decorated hotel.
Packing Essentials:
- Plan your wardrobe beforehand and keep the chosen dresses ready.
- Always keep an extra set of dresses.
- Iron your dresses and neatly arrange your clothes.
- Avoid keeping valuables like gold jewelry.
- Carry the required cosmetics.
- Own a good perfume.
- Innerwear often gets missed, pack properly.
- Ziplock your toiletries to avoid spillage.
- Avoid those extra heels and excessive pairs of either shoes or sandals.
- Carry a scarf, it helps.
Check-In Process
The check-in process is usually very easy and straightforward. Most hotels will ask for a credit card to guarantee the booking. Even those that offer the best price that is prepaid are likely to take a deposit. The process can also be sped up if you have booked and paid online, then only having to show an identity document and pick up the room keys.
The main personal data are the same as in any hotel check-in: full names, number of people occupying the room, nationality, and country of residence. Here, it can happen that you will be asked for additional information: if you need a visa to enter the country (so the hotel can make the necessary registration to simplify your stay), email, and/or contact phone number, time and expected destination of departure, as well as information about your car if you have used the hotel parking lot.
Receiving Your Room Key
As soon as you make a room reservation, make yourself a reminder to ask if there is a key card that is needed for the room. The gate to the accommodation might require such a card, so it is always useful if you know in advance if you’ll need it or not. Also, make sure to ask the receptionist if there are any additional taxes to be paid, like a local tax (many countries have such taxes). Avoid any unpleasant surprises. You might have chosen to pay your accommodation through a bank transfer, and the wire transfer took up to 5 days. Then, plan your arrival so that you can pay with the transfer that you have a deposit on the day of your arrival. And print out the confirmation of that deposit and take it with you. If you have a problem with it, you can show them your bank order. When you reach your chosen accommodation, first look for a parking area, as it might be full, and then report to the reception desk. If this is not your first stay at this recognition, the check-in will be over in no time. But if this is the first time you are in a place, here are the questions that you should ask.
Choose a room either on the first or second floor. This way you can easily take stairs to your room. If the hotel is completely automated and operates with a door code, ask for that code and ask for Wi-Fi access. Some hotels have their log-ins and some have free limited Wi-Fis. When you enter the room, take a card with you that has your accommodation’s address and telephone number on it in case you get lost when you go out. Nothing should go wrong if you have a card like this on you. Also, you can easily ask locals or a taxi driver for the exact address of your room and make a safe return.
Verifying Reservation Details
When you check into the room, you should be given the key, which is generally a card. The front desk may staple important details to the key cover, so you should make sure to check the details of your stay listed there. These generally include check-in and check-out times, hotel policies, etc. Before heading to your room, make sure to take a look at the listing for the television channels; generally, these are listed at the very end of the guest directory or on a separate page. This way, you can familiarize yourself with the list without taking up extra time once you’re settled in your room. Also, if you have high-speed internet access, you’ll have to let the desk know so they can supply you with instructions. The hotels that I’ve stayed in usually give you a password to use, so that should be listed on your cover as well.
Entering the Room
The initial step you must take is to insert the electronic key card in the key slot. But before anything, you must check the display of the door for any residual red light. When the light is on, many things could occur: there may be a possibility of a broken lock and the room being already occupied. In most situations, the door will not be locked for this reason. So, make sure to knock on it and call the front desk in case of any suspicion. However, when the light is green, it is safe to close the door after entering.
We believe that these necessary procedures are quite clear for everyone, but they should never be overlooked. Once inside the room and with the door closed behind you, these are the steps you need to follow. First and foremost, put the “Please do not solicit” sign on the exterior doorknob. These door names come in varying sizes, colors, and designs, but the essential thing is that they must have a “Do not disturb” warning on one side and a “Please make up the room,” “I am ready to work,” “Bring us room freshening,” or “Make up the room” declaration on the reverse.
Initial Inspection
When you first enter the room, check it out from top to bottom. Turn on all the lights, open closets and drawers, lift bedding corners. This is the time to make sure everything works and that nothing has been overlooked in terms of cleanliness and maintenance. This is also the time to get a sense of the room and decide where you want everything. Open your suitcase and generally sort things, and be sure to look (verbally or physically) behind the bathroom and entry doors at breakfast time.
Before you sit down, clean any TV or air conditioner controls, outlet switches, handles of drawers, pulls, wardrobe doors, hangers, telephone, etc. with hand sanitizer. If you also want to clean the table, counter, glasses, “bells” and remote control – do it. Carefully check the drawers, the wardrobe with a walk-in closet, the bedside tables and the window sills – if there is a laundry bag, shoe wipe, etc. there – put it to the side, it can be contaminated. From my own experience, I can say that it’s better to shake things out before using them, and to wash cutlery and glasses in front of you.
Checking Room Features
Before you unpack your bags and spread all your things, be sure to check specific features and amenities in the room.
Electrical Fixtures – Switches, plugs, fluorescent lights, etc. Scrutinize all for any visible damage or the like.
Safety Tubs – For your safety, make sure to check the tubs if they are clean and not slippery due to floor wax done by the housekeeper.
Little things that are essential – Bed lights, telephone, pens and notepads, hangers, clock, lock for the food during your stay, etc. It is a waste of time if you are all satisfied and used up until you learn that some of them are not possible. Check everything before you spread everything not to encounter it later on.
Window Safety Guards – Make sure that they are safe for kids and that the windows are strong enough before you let your children enjoy the view and cold air.
Sinks, sewer pipes, floors, and check for any leaks, slippery floors so that soon enough you can take a dip and freshen up.
Privacy – Make sure that drapes or blinds used are capable of providing it to you and also serving their purpose to cover real light from outside.
Settling In
Whether you’re staying in a hotel for business or for pleasure, entering your hotel room should be a moment that you relish. You’ve worked hard all year at your job, and this is meant to be a reward to yourself. Since you’re going to be staying in a hotel room for at least one night, you should learn what steps you need to take to make your stay pleasurable and comfortable. We hope this guide is easy to understand and becomes useful when you make your first step inside your hotel room.
After checking and making sure your hotel room is safe, unpack your bags. Place your possessions on the shelves and as you take your clothes out, hang them up on the hangers or place them on the luggage rack.
Keep in mind: never put your suitcases on the bed. Not only are your suitcases filthy, but this could also result in you mixing up the clean and dirty clothes you have.
When you’ve unpacked and want to relax in the room, you should take advantage of the hotel room’s services. This includes watching television, using the internet, or seeing what else the hotel has to offer. First, take a look at the food and beverage selections. However, bear in mind that this is not for free, and you will have to pay for these snack items.
Unpacking and Organizing
After making sure there’s no one inside, it’s time to put your things in order and get organized. Usually, the first thing you have to do when you enter a hotel room is to drop your suitcases and backpacks. When you do that, it’s inevitable that you’ll create a bit of a mess, as you might have to put the suitcase on the bed and even take some stuff out. So the best way to leave the room tidy and livable is to start by organizing your things. After opening your suitcase and backpacks, placing things where they need to go, make your bed. This will greatly alter the environment in a positive way and prepare the space for use. Then use the wardrobe that the hotel offers to organize your clothes, which I advise dividing between outfits, underwear, pajamas, lingerie, etc. Also, in the other hotel furniture available in the room, arrange your things in a convenient way that makes it easy to find them and facilitates your day-to-day life.
To conclude the unpacking time, don’t forget about the essentials for a good hotel stay. The first of value is a water bottle, which should not run out quickly, as the hotel has no control of the supplies within the room and does not replace them free of charge. To be able to read your books and magazines comfortably, use the hotel tables and place a bookstand to keep the pages open without needing to use your hands. In addition to literature, using electronic devices such as tablets and notebooks can help in different ways, such as keeping you from feeling alone or bored, providing more possibilities than traditional books. Keep the charger close and at an easy-to-find point, making the recharge process quick and convenient, allowing you to keep yourself busy with entertainment and information. Therefore, for those who need to have several important appliances plugged in, but the hotel doesn’t have enough sockets, I recommend using a charger extension with USB and three-pin sockets, so everything will work out and you won’t have any problems.
Understanding Hotel Policies
Let’s get one thing straight before delving in fully to this topic: the guidelines we’ll discuss from here on are generally acceptable and followed codes for how a hotel room is treated before check-out and upon check-in and are pretty much expected when one resides in a hotel. However, it’s always a good idea to inquire about hotel regulations before assuming anything.
1. Have a chat with the hotel manager, if possible, before reserving a room at the minimum, to get a feel of the ambiance. Just take a breath, relax and bring out your observation skills when you do visit the hotel. This will keep you away from any unnecessary problems that might occur due to misunderstandings. Rules and regulations might vary from hotel to hotel and having a hotel manager explain these will always be a better method.
2. Room regulations might include particular expectations concerning policies for certain accommodations that the hotel has initiated as a means of engendering superseding comfort. Those might include no pets allowed in the rooms, no smoking inside, no alcoholic beverages in public areas. Always respect those guidelines.