Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for what you want—6 secrets revealed by hotel front desk veterans

▲ When you check into a hotel, have you ever wondered what secrets the front desk staff might be sharing? (Photo / Getty Images / Illustration)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

When you check into a hotel, have you ever wondered what secrets the front desk staff might be sharing? An international media outlet Sarah Schlichterinterviewed six seasoned hotel employees and compiled these six important takeaways to share with everyone.

1. Hotels have plenty of items you can borrow
Items such as phone chargers, adapter plugs, safety pins, umbrellas, feminine hygiene products, nail files, hair ties, razors, earplugs, and more are often available for borrowing. Employees from Hilton, Hyatt, and Four Seasons also revealed that hotels offer pillow menus, and some even provide curling irons, capsule coffee machines, and PS gaming consoles.

2. Don’t expect to check in early
“If your room is ready, they may let you check in early, but usually due to high occupancy the night before, it’s not very feasible,” said Pedro Richardson, who has worked in the hospitality industry for 12 years. If you know you’ll be exhausted upon arrival and want to check in immediately, remember to notify the hotel the night before.

3. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for what you want
Room upgrades, discounts, or any other perks aren’t guaranteed, but it never hurts to ask. Richardson said that when guests call to book a room and request a discount, it often actually works. Sincerely ask if senior management can upgrade your room, provide free amenities, or offer chocolates, champagne, or other treats for special occasions. Generally, many star-rated hotels will try their best to accommodate customer requests as part of their service.

▲ Not all booking websites offer rooms of the same quality. If you find the same room on two different booking sites, the more expensive one is usually better. (Photo / Getty Images / Illustration)

4. You get what you pay for when booking a room
“Not all booking websites offer rooms of the same quality,” warned Ekkelboom-White. If you find the same room on two different booking websites at different prices, the more expensive one is usually better.

5. There are many benefits to being a loyal hotel guest
If you frequently travel or conduct business in a specific city, try to stay at the same hotel and build a good relationship with the front desk staff. Richardson said that frequent guests often receive extra perks, “like getting one night free after staying five nights, or priority room upgrades.”

▲ The hospitality industry is quite demanding, dealing with various situations daily and attending to guests’ needs, which tests patience and crisis management skills. (Illustration / Photo by reporter Cai Wenjun)

6. Please keep empathy in mind—there are many difficult guests
The hospitality industry is a tough job, dealing with various situations daily and attending to guests’ needs, which tests patience and crisis management skills. Dandashy said, “This job isn’t easy. It doesn’t have regular working hours, and you’re often busy all day long, sometimes only getting five minutes to eat.” Guests who show empathy can make the staff’s day much better.

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