Step-by-Step Hotel Checkout Routine
To ensure you leave your room in the best possible condition for the incoming housekeeping staff, follow this simple, highly effective checkout routine before you hand over your key card.
- Gather all your garbage: Walk through the room and place all loose wrappers, bottles, and food containers into the trash bins. Tie off any extra bags you created during your stay.
- Pile your wet towels: Collect every damp washcloth, hand towel, and bath towel. Stack them neatly inside the bathtub or on the shower floor to prevent water damage to the room’s surfaces.
- Leave the bed unmade: Do not strip the sheets or attempt to make the bed. Leave the blankets casually pulled back so the staff instantly know the bed was used and needs changing.
- Check for hidden belongings: Open every dresser drawer, check the bathroom vanity, look under the bed skirts, and scan the wall outlets for forgotten items like phone chargers.
- Turn off the electronics: Shut down the television, turn off the alarm clock radio, and switch off all the lamps and overhead lights as you walk toward the door.
- Return your keys: Stop by the front desk to formally check out. This immediately notifies the entire cleaning staff that your room is completely vacant and ready for their arrival.
12 Responses
Tips for Budget hotel staff don’t hide in the office watching on CCTV guests standing around the reception area hoping guests will check in them selves
Thank you for the helpful information about proper room etiquette when staying at a hotel/motel.
I worked as a housekeeper. I strip the beds as a guest putting pillow cases in a pile, fitted sheets in a pile, sheets in a pile and duvets. I do this because I worked with a woman who just kept all that on if it looked “clean enough”. N I loved when people did it for me. And I wipe ALL mine and my families hair out off the bathtub. Cause that was the worst
I don’t want to sleep on used sheets that someone else left body waste on
Touché
Don’t forget a tip
Be honest… they don’t want the beds stripped because they don’t always replace the sheets and definitely don’t replace the duvet covers!
That’s what I thought. So I just pile them neatly -easy to see there are no remotes, etc in the pile.
Exactly!!!
I was a hotel housekeeper while in college. So, I do follow these rules. Yes, they are helpful reminders to treat hotel staff with respect.
Great information
All good points, but I also suggest stopping by the front desk (or calling right before you depart) and telling the staff that you’ve actually left – especially if it’s very early in the morning. That way the housekeeping staff can get an earlier start on that room. Several desk clerks have said they appreciate the courtesy
After reading all the 10 Things Hotel Staff Hate I can only imagine how frustrating the staff would be since all the things are what COMMON SENCE should show in this article. I have never done any of those things and can’t imagine that there are people who would not respect some ones property. I believe most of the things is how people were raised poor parenting!