Tipping on services is customary in the United States, although it’s easier to remember to tip some service providers than others. For instance, everyone knows you’re supposed to tip a pizza delivery driver or a server in a restaurant, but some may not think about tipping a hairstylist, etc. And, while the person working at the front desk of your hotel is probably making a great hourly rate, if you want them to really go above and beyond to accommodate you during your stay – slip them a $50 or so when you check-in.
In many cases, they will upgrade you, and in the best cases – they’ll upgrade you and won’t accept your tip (although most will.)
Put a Cap on It
You may or may not use a shower cap in your daily life, but when you’re dealing with hotel stays you should absolutely make use of the disposable ones that you find in your room. Plastic shower caps serve multiple purposes for traveling. One way of utilizing them is to use one to cover your remote control. They likely don’t get sanitized after each stay, so who knows what kinds of germs are lurking on them.
You can also use them to wrap your shoes before packing them, so they don’t get dirt on the rest of your belongings.
Makeshift Dining Table
If you’ve got multiple kids and there isn’t a table or desk in your hotel room large enough for them to all sit at, try this hack to make dinner time a breeze on your vacation. You will always find an ironing board in your hotel’s closet, so set it up at the end of your bed and cover it with a towel to protect the top. This trick is great for a few reasons.
Your kids will love it because the end of the bed is usually right in front of the television, and you’ll love it because it’s easy to set and clean up. You can’t beat a hack that makes your life as a parent easier!
Let Them Know
If you’re traveling for a special occasion, like a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday, make sure you let the hotel know when you’re booking the stay. There are likely to be discount packages that come along with some really cool extras. Sure, it’s possible you’ll simply end up with a free dessert voucher, but you could also wind up in the honeymoon suite if you’re really lucky.
In other cases, you may end up with free meals or tickets to special events being hosted by the hotel. And on the day that you check-in, make sure to mention it again to whoever you speak to at the desk.
Toothbrush Holder
While bathroom counters are one of the first things that hotel maids sanitize after every checkout, you still don’t want to trust it enough to lay your toothbrush on it, unprotected. If you don’t have a toothbrush holder, you can still make sure it stays safe and free of germs by using this hack.
Just unwrap one of the paper coffee cups, flip it upside down, poke a hole through the center, and jam the toothbrush through. It will work perfectly as a holder for a day or two. And, if it starts to bend out of shape you can always just make another in a few seconds!