Hotel guests make a big mistake when checking out – but they think it’s helping

A HOTEL expert has revealed the big mistake guests always make when checking out, even if they think they’re helping the staff.

It can be tempting to try and tidy the room a bit to make life easier for the people who work at the hotel, but sometimes you’re actually making things more difficult.

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One way in which people do that is by putting room service trays outside their rooms.

Although this may initially seem like you’re keeping the room clean, it’s actually something you should avoid doing.

Myka Meier, an etiquette expert and creator of The Plaza hotel’s Finishing Programme, explained why it can create problems for other guests as well as staff.

She told Travel + Leisure: “It’s messy and smelly for other guests, as well as a trip hazard.

“Instead, call room service when you’re done and tell them you’re ready to have your tray picked up.”

However, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t at least clean up after yourself before you checkout.

Leaving a big mess is a definite way to anger those who will clean the room after.

Myka continued: “Do a light tidy before you leave. Leave soiled towels hanging on hooks or…in nice neat piles in the bathroom, not on the carpet, where they could leave a wet stain.”

Leaving room service trays outside isn’t the only way you can annoy hotel staff while trying to help them out.

Some people think they are being helpful by stripping their bed every day.

However, a hotel manager revealed that this isn’t the case – and explains why you should never do it.

Flavio Serreti, manager of Soprano Villas and Rome Lofts, said that doing this before housekeeping arrive can actually give them more work.

He told Insider: “On busy days, staff will simply plump pillows and reuse the same sheets, only changing the linens every three to four days.

“Stripping the bed every morning can add unnecessary minutes to the time-sensitive housekeeping staff duties.”

Making the bed is a bad idea too, as it can both add time onto the housekeeping staff’s day and mean other guests stay in a dirty bed.

A former housekeeper, who worked at a resort in Australia, told Business Insider: “If we think you haven’t used the bed at all, we may not change the sheet.”

Instead, they advise guests to leave the bed looking “slept-in”

Meanwhile, a hotel cleaner revealed the five items they never clean in the rooms.

And a former hotel housekeeper said guests should be tipping at least £7.50 a night for their work.

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