While checking into a hotel, most people are too tired to go through the room before unpacking and taking a sigh of relief. However, that is not the best way to go about the situation. You can’t trust anyone else with your security so casually.
Hotels visits and stays are a casual part of vacations nowadays. Hotels can offer you some of the best experiences and may even play a vital role in making your holidays memorable. For example, tourists have highly recommended Westgate Palace Resort as the best place to stay at Universal Orlando. However, your pool of choices is quite humungous to pick from, but whatever place you choose, it is best to consider the following ten things while checking into your room.
1. Security inspection of your room
While checking into a hotel, most people are too tired to go through the room before unpacking and taking a sigh of relief. However, that is not the best way to go about the situation. You can’t trust anyone else with your security so casually.
Once you have checked into a hotel room, you should ensure that the door of your room is adequately locked and can’t be bypassed with another keycard. Doors to hotel rooms can malfunction and might not work properly, so it’s safe to be careful. Next comes the window. Slide away the curtains to see if your room has a pleasant view and while at it, check if the windows are properly locked. Washroom doors need your quick check-up too. If you are on an official visit and sharing a room with your associate, restroom doors ensure your privacy. If the lock on it doesn’t work, consider having your room switched. And this last one may not seem so significant, but check if all the switches work. You wouldn’t want a faulty socket or a bulb that doesn’t light up too when you need it. If you have been vigilant enough, you are probably good to go.
2. Bed bugs
There are a lot of hotels that don’t usually get as many guests as others. Such hotels have rooms that have been left locked for quite a while and may not be well maintained. Even if everything appears to be in place, these unwelcome guests could spring up and suddenly make your life miserable.
Bed bugs are common for any hotel, whether people frequently occupy the rooms or not. Locating bed bugs on your mattress or chairs is not very difficult. You can go ahead and take off the bedsheets to check for any black stains. You can even see one or two of these bed bugs crawling like tiny black dots on the mattress, sheets or pillows. The key to handle the situation is to check thoroughly through everything and see if you can notice.
In case of spotting something unusual, collect your stuff and report to the reception to avoid any mishap.
3. Emergency exits
Whenever you check-in to a hotel, a relatively crowded estate than most areas, it is crucial to prioritize your security. It is best to consider the distance between your room and the nearest fire exit in case of an emergency. Also, you should check out the floor maps and exit strategy plan and whether there is an assembly point where everyone from the hotel will gather to vacate the premises calmly.
It may seem like you are going overboard and being overly cautious, but you should realize that anyone can be careless in such a big establishment. The consequences are unrelated and collective for everyone. It eliminates the question of identifying the perpetrator as the results are indifferent to that individual’s actions.
4. Check for complimentary services
A hotel generally presents a tempting portfolio, but it is always better to verify everything once you are there at the venue. Check for the services that are promised in your booking plan and make sure that everything is provided as it was mentioned. These services may generally include a free and accessible Wi-Fi connection, air conditioning, complimentary breakfast, extra mattresses, specific toiletries, and certain other services that the standard may not have. Therefore, satisfy yourself before you start availing any of the services that the hotel could charge you for.
5. New products must be provided
You are never likely to experience something as disgusting as used towels, pillows, and bedsheets at a prestigious hotel. However, it is best to check as a precaution if everything in the room is washed and unused. Start by checking with the towels, pillows, and bed sheets and then the toilet essentials. Look for empty toiletry bottles before you get cozy and plan on taking a bath. Go through the culinary items and glasses that are already in the room and see if they are washed properly and there are no signs of use. These small checks can elevate your vacation standards to new heights as the element of surprise that comes along with something incomplete is rectified.
6. Hidden cameras
It is very common to have your privacy compromised when you are in a hotel. There could be hidden cameras or microphones that might be placed in the room by the guests who were visiting before you. This could escalate to become a severe problem for you and may even leave you devastated. The only remedy to tackle this situation is to be vigilant.
Look for signs of tempering near the sockets, or multiple smoke detectors attached to the ceiling or an unusual wall charger that may look suspicious. If there are any signs, reach out to the management and ask them to check if the room has a hidden camera or mic.
7. Security safes
You may be carrying something valuable that you want to be placed in a security locker. Such lockers can be found in your wardrobes, or you can ask for them. They certainly aren’t the safest place, but it is wise to leave your passport, wallet, essential and jewelry item in them instead of leaving them out on the table. Besides this, you have the option of using the hotel’s main lockers or storage rooms that you can request to use if the property is too valuable to be casual carries around.
8. Kitchen
A lot of people like to have their private kitchens while on vacation. Rooms including kitchens are generally more expensive as compared to the standard category. These kitchens include utensils and electric stoves for your convenience. People who are either health-conscious and prefer home-cooked meals should consider choosing this category. However, it is best to check if kitchen utensils and culinary sets are complete and whether the electric stove is operable or not.
9. Communicate
If there’s a problem with the service that you are receiving and your expectations are not being met, you should inform the hotel staff. Every complaint should not be dealt aggressively. Besides, it is the responsibility of the hotel staff to entertain their guests. If a hotel can’t satisfy their customers, they might get some bad reviews. If the hotel informs you that you have over expected, then you reserve every right to criticize the hotel.
10. Take a deep breath
Last but not least, take a deep breath and avoid being a control freak. If something wrong is supposed to happen, it will find its way to you, no matter how careful you are and whatever precautions you take. Instead of being worried you must relax, deal with it smartly and enjoy your vacation.
Conclusion
If you are a regular traveler, you should consider taking all these precautions. These may seem like an exaggeration but may end up being helpful in an unexpected situation. Now, you are all set to enjoy a convenient and thrilling vacation that will satisfy your standards.
