The beauty of staying in a hotel is the luxury of living differently than at home. But that doesn’t mean you should throw basic manners to the wind.
If you suddenly find yourself traveling more and you've booked a stay at a hotel, here are some basic etiquette rules you should always follow so that both you and the guests around you have the best time possible.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources
Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Look up how much to tip — and do it
If you're staying in a hotel where the room is cleaned — even if it’s just one or two times during your stay — leave a tip.
The appropriate tip amount will depend on both the individual hotel and local norms. In the U.S., it’s generally good practice to leave between $5 and $10 per day.
Make sure you also offer a few bucks to other workers, including any valet parking attendant, bell staff, and employees who deliver room service.
This is a great way to pay it forward if you've already earned travel rewards yourself when booking the trip.
Don’t be rude to staff
Like any other business, things can go wrong at hotels. Yelling or being rude to staff members is not the way to handle these situations.
This goes for all staff — including those working the front desks and restaurants and anyone cleaning your room.
Hotel employees are as human as the rest of us. That means the more polite you are to them, the more likely they are to go the extra mile.
So if you politely inform the front desk that you're having an issue with your key rather than screaming at them, they're more likely to take good care of you. They may even throw in a free drink or extra towels for the trouble.
Be careful what you take from the room
A consensus among hotel guests is that you can take certain things from the room. These include mini soaps, shampoos, lotions, and even pens or notebooks with the hotel logo.
However, more common items such as hairdryers, bathrobes, and towels are not fair game. In fact, you might get a hefty bill if you take off with them.
Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Be respectful of quiet hours
Even though you’re on vacation, you’re not alone when you stay in a hotel. It’s important to be aware of and respectful toward other guests.
Different hotels might have their own rules. A spring break hotspot for college students in Miami is not likely to have the same expected quiet hours as more family-oriented vacation spots, for example.
However, hotel guests generally should try to keep the volume to a minimum between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. That’s true both in the rooms and when moving through hotel corridors.
Keep kids under control
People traveling with children should be mindful of other guests. Some hotels are focused on serving families, and a certain level of volume from kids is to be expected. But it’s important to make sure young children aren’t causing a ruckus.
Since a hotel is most likely an unfamiliar space, wandering children can easily put their safety at risk. So keep the kids close and quiet.
Trending Stories
Look up the check-in and check-out times
Some hotels are laxer about their check-in/check-out times, but others are not. It’s wise to familiarize yourself with the hotel’s policy before you travel.
Keep in mind that some hotels don't have a worker at the front desk throughout the night. So, if you're arriving on a late flight, you may need to let the staff know ahead of time.
Also, if you think you may be an hour or so late to checkout, give the front desk a ring and let them know. Many hotels are happy to accommodate you when they can.
Hang up towels you plan to reuse
General towel etiquette is expected at hotels. If you shower and plan to reuse a towel, hang it up in the bathroom. If you'd like new towels, put the used ones in a pile on the bathroom floor to let housekeeping know that they're dirty.
It’s also a good practice to reuse towels while staying at hotels. Most of us use towels more than once at home before grabbing a fresh one, so the same practice can be done in hotels.
Make it easy to clean around your possessions
If housekeeping cleans your room regularly, avoid making it harder for them by strewing possessions across the room.
Try to keep things like clothes, electronics, makeup, and more tidy to help staff get in, straighten up, and get out in good time.
This can also help ensure that none of your possessions accidentally gets thrown in with the towels housekeeping is replacing.
Dress appropriately in common areas
In a beach hotel, it’s common for guests to walk around in swimsuits and sandals, or even to stroll around barefoot. However, there's a general expectation that hotel guests will be dressed appropriately otherwise.
This means you should avoid heading to the continental breakfast in the bathrobe and slippers the hotel provides.
Also, guests should throw on some clothes before answering the door for housekeeping or room service.
Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)
Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.
No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.
Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.
Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.
Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.
But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).
Don’t take off with half a breakfast tray
If your hotel stay includes a complimentary breakfast, keep in mind that this is usually meant for everyone in the hotel. That means you should avoid dumping the whole tray of croissants into your backpack.
Since the meal is included, it’s perfectly fine to grab an apple, muffin, or some other snack for later in the day. But don’t take everything when others are trying to eat too.
Pro tip: Don’t just settle for the first hotel you see. Instead, compare prices and try to get the best deal on a room. It's a great way to make sure you stay out of debt during your vacation.
Bottom line
Make sure you follow the tips above the next time you grab your favorite travel credit card and book a hotel room.
Most hotel etiquette expectations are common sense. No matter the length of your stay, a hotel is your home away from home.
Just keep in mind that while it’s natural to want to get comfortable, you never want to risk causing distress to other guests or the hotel staff.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
on Bank of America’s secure website
Read Card ReviewIntro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
- Apply Now
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.