Top 10 Taboos for Travel Accommodation: Don’t Put Clothes in the Closet

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Editorial Team

When traveling, we all hope for a safe journey and a joyful return, while also trying to avoid any mishaps along the way, including those related to transportation, entertainment, and food. Accommodation also comes with important considerations to keep in mind. Below are ten common legends and taboos about staying in hotels, including the practice of knocking before entering a room—travelers may want to take note.

1. Don’t Stay in the Room at the Very End
It’s considered bad luck to stay in the room located at the very end of the hallway. These rooms tend to have lower occupancy and lack the energy (or “yang”) that comes with human presence, which may result in a weaker yang energy and make them more prone to attracting negative spiritual presence.
 
2. Greet Before Entering the Room
Always greet before entering your room as a sign of respect to any other “alternative guests” inside. You can ring the doorbell or knock three times, and when entering, do so sideways to avoid blocking the path of any unseen guests leaving.
 
3. Turn on the Lights to Signal Your Presence
When you enter your room, turn on all the lights as soon as possible to signal that someone is staying there.

4. Notice Strange Smells or Sudden Movements in Bed
If you notice a strong, unpleasant odor upon entering your room, or if the bed suddenly shakes or the lights turn on by themselves, be cautious as these could be signs from the other side. It’s advisable to request a room change.
 
5. Avoid Staying Completely Silent After Checking In
Staying completely silent after checking in might lead unseen guests to think the room is unoccupied. To prevent this, turn on some appliances like the TV, faucet, or lights to show that someone is indeed staying in the room.
 
6. Never Put Clothes in the Closet
Closets are often believed to be hiding places for spirits, and putting your clothes there may attract unwanted spiritual followers. Additionally, hanging clothes out to dry at midnight is an urban legend—spirits are thought to easily cling to clothing left out during those hours.

7. Lift the Bed Sheet to Signal Your Presence
After entering your room, lift the bed sheet and arrange the bedding to signify that someone is using the bed to sleep.
 
8. Be Aware of the Bible by the Bed
Hotels often accommodate guests of different faiths, so Bibles, Qurans, or other religious texts may be placed on the bedside table or in the drawer for their use. However, if you find such a book already open to a specific page, pay attention—it might have been placed there for spiritual protection or exorcism purposes.

9. Keep at Least One Light On While Sleeping
Don’t turn off all the lights when going to sleep. Leave at least one light on to maintain a bit of positive energy in the room and to help you feel safer.
 
10. Avoid Taking Photos at Midnight
Do not take photos in the middle of the night, especially in hotel rooms or other accommodation spaces. Also, avoid using wall decorations in your room as a background for photos, as you might accidentally capture the image of an unseen guest.