When you are on vacation, some rules simply don’t apply. Switching off the alarm to enjoy an extra hour of sleep, spending a lazy day lounging by the pool or starting happy hours an hour before it actually begins. But what do you do when the guest next door at your hotel is playing loud music or smoking in a non-smoking property? While many Americans think some actions are not acceptable in hotels, opinions vary on some other aspects of acceptable behavior in hotels, a latest study has revealed.
According to the YouGov survey on hotel etiquette, 82% of the respondents said calling the reception to complain about noisy neighbors was perfectly acceptable, while 77% said taking home small shampoo, conditioner or other toiletry bottles was acceptable. Other acceptable behaviors include requesting additional amenities, such as pillows and blankets (90%) and leaving the linens on the bed when checking out (78%).
Taking home decorative items from the room (93%), coat hangers and towels (86%) and Bibles (67%) emerged as the most unacceptable behaviors by hotel guests.
Most respondents were opposed to guests breaking certain hotel rules, including smoking in non-smoking rooms (92%), bringing in unapproved pets (83%), checking out late without informing the hotel (79%) and exceeding the number of approved guests per room (79%).
Opinions seemed somewhat mixed on certain acceptable behaviors. Some 45% of respondents feel it is acceptable to use towels and not leaving them on the floor of the bathroom or shower when checking out (45%), while 40% agreed it is okay to leave the room lights on when not using the room.
Tipping drew mixed reactions as well. While 35% said it is acceptable to not tip housekeeping, only 14% said it is acceptable to not tip a bag porter.
Older American travelers are usually stricter about most points of etiquette in hotels. Those aged 45 and above are more likely than younger guests to say it is acceptable for guests to wear their pajamas in common areas, not tip a bag porter and to take home towels.
According to the survey, more younger adults said it was unacceptable to bring visitors into their hotel room without informing the hotel. However, younger adults also find it unacceptable to call the reception to complain about loud neighbors.
The survey was conducted between May 24 and 27 on 1,147 Americans aged 18 and over. Respondents were selected from YouGov’s opt-in panel using sample matching.
