When a hotel lobby smells like expensive candles, and the thread count in the sheets is super high, that certainly goes a long way to improving your time there. But none of that makes a great hotel stay, really.
For me, it’s all about how smoothly my trip runs when I’m tired or hungry, and most of all, it’s about how willing the hotel staff is to make my life easier without me having to think too hard.
The good news is that you don’t need elite status or a five-star budget to get more comfort and more value. You just need a few strategic moves before you arrive and a habit of asking for what you want in a way that makes it easy for staff to say yes.
Great hotels are powered by people who know how to solve tiny problems before they become big ones. If you’re one of those people, and that type of career interests you, please go ahead and apply to top hospitality employers hiring nationwide on OysterLink. We need as many high-quality hotel staff as we can get.
Pick the Right Room
First up on this list of getting the most out of your hotel stay is all about getting the right room. Most booking decisions focus on the property and the price, maybe the neighborhood as well. And these are all important, but room selection is actually where the experience is often won or lost.
If the booking platform lets you add notes, don’t be afraid to use that space. Ask for a higher floor or a room away from elevators. These are simple requests that don’t cost the hotel anything, which is exactly why they’re more likely to be honored.
When traveling internationally, it’s also worth doing a quick safety read on your lodging area and the basics of secure hotel habits. The U.S. State Department’s lodging safety guidance is a practical refresher even if you’re not traveling somewhere high-risk.
[Source: ChatGPT]Be Smart About Your Check-In Time
Upgrades and better room assignments do depend on luck to some extent, but not entirely. Your timing matters too.
Arriving right at the official check-in time can put you in a queue competing for the same pool of ready rooms. If you can, show up a little later, when housekeeping has turned over more inventory.
On the flip side, if you arrive early, be friendly and flexible, but make sure you state your preferences as well. Saying something like, “If anything quiet is ready, I’ll happily take it,” shows that you’re not too much of a handful, but also lets the staff know that you’re looking for peace and quiet.
The point I’m trying to make here is simple: ask, and you might just receive. As good as the hotel staff are at their job, they’re not mind readers. If you’re a light sleeper, say that. If you’re working remotely, say that. The clearer your reason, the easier the choice for the front desk.
Make the Room Work in the First Ten Minutes
Use your first ten minutes in a room as your setup window by checking the temperature and noise level, and setting up the lighting just the way you like it. Hotels are far more able to fix problems early than late, so if something feels off, don’t wait until bedtime to mention it.
Many properties also have small customization options that never show up in marketing photos. Some offer pillow menus or extra fans on request. Research from Cornell suggests that when guests can personalize elements of their room experience, they’re more likely to feel loyal and satisfied, which is a good reminder that asking is often part of the modern hotel model.
Reduce Costs Without Reducing Comfort
If breakfast is expensive on-site, see whether your rate includes it for two people, or ask if they have a modest add-on option. Some hotels offer a lighter continental rate that doesn’t always appear online.
This is also where your accommodation style matters. If you’re debating whether an all-inclusive setup will help you relax or just lock you into a buffet schedule, this guide to all-inclusive resorts should help you decide based on your actual travel habits.
Also, if you’re planning a couple’s trip, the idea of leaning into a room feature that creates privacy and downtime is worth considering, even if it does cost a little extra. This piece on choosing a hotel with a hot tub in the room is a good example of how one targeted choice can reshape the whole weekend without blowing the budget way out of proportion.
Most hotel wins come from small, low-drama choices. Ask early, be specific, make your requests easy to fulfill, and pick one upgrade that actually matters to you. Do that, and you’ll leave with the feeling that your hotel was part of why the trip worked.
What say you?
Thoughts on Getting the Most Out of Your Hotel Stay?
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