Noisy Neighbors and Other Top Hotel Pet Peeves

Price and free Wi-Fi are the top two considerations for booking a hotel, according to the 2016 Expedia Hotel Etiquette study. The same study finds that inattentive parents and noisy people in the hall are the most disliked hotel guests. Travelers crave thoughtful behavior from their fellow guests.

“The hotel experience is one that many people love,” says John Morrey, vice president and general manager of Expedia.com, an online, full-service travel site. “Fresh towels, a comfortable {sic} made bed, room service at the ready; it can be a deeply enjoyable experience. But it’s vital to remember that you are not staying there by yourself; you are surrounded by hundreds of people who have paid to share that space. Conscientiousness makes all the difference.”

Find out how your preferences and manners, good and bad, match those of the 1,018 respondents aged 18 and older. GfK, an independent, global marketing research firm, conducted the study.

Wi-Fi

Although 63% of respondents list complimentary Wi-Fi as the second consideration in choosing a hotel, 88% of respondents rank free Internet as either “very/somewhat important.” Nearly all in the survey — 97% – feel that hotels should provide Wi-Fi for free.

The additional top four amenities respondents’ desire:

• In-room fridge: 81%

• Complimentary toiletries: 80%

• Pool: 59%

Horrible Hotel Neighbors

We’ve all heard them: The kids that race down the hall, the inebriated duo who whoop it up outside their door, and the couple on the other side of the wall who loudly rehash every slight and snub in their marriage. Such behavior makes for a long night if you’re in the adjacent room. Expedia reports that 18% of respondents ask to change rooms. The study does not state what percentage of hotel guests were successful in obtaining quieter rooms. The top bad behaviors:

• Inattentive parents: 72%

• Hallway hell-raiser: 69%

• In-room revelers: 59%

• Complainers: 53%

• Bickerers: 35%

• The loudly amorous: 29%

• Poolside partiers: 28%

• Hot tub canoodlers: 22%

• Business bar boozers: 17%

• Elevator chatterbox: 9%

Hotel Conduct: Tips

The American Hotel and Lodging Association recommends that guests tip hotel service providers, suggesting $1 to $5 per day for housekeepers. However, 30% of Americans don’t tip anyone at the hotel.

Of the remaining 70% who do dip into their pockets:

• Housekeepers are tipped by 46% of respondents

• In-room service attendant: 40%

• Valet: 30%

• Porter: 20%

• Concierge: 10%

Hotel Conduct: Bad Behavior

• Hoarding toiletries: 24%

• Letting unregistered people sleep in the room: 11%

• Stealing hotel items: 10%

• Smoking in a non-smoking room: 4%

• Partying and leaving the room trashed: 2%

What hotel behaviors good and bad do you confess to?