When planning a trip, picking a hotel is one of the things that require careful consideration. People usually check reviews and ratings to ensure that the hotel offers adequate comfort and cleanliness, good food, and excellent service. On your part, following the rules and being polite can help you avoid unpleasant experiences or conflict with the staff and other guests. So, here are a few things to avoid to have a comfortable hotel stay:

Being loud or rude
Do not play loud music on speakers in your room as it can be an inconvenience for other guests. When you are at the hotel bar or the restaurant, be polite and courteous in your conversations with other guests and the staff. Don’t be rude to the employees if you are unhappy with the service. Instead, talk to the manager or try to get the problem resolved patiently.

Placing the suitcase on the bed
Hotel rooms will generally have dedicated storage space for luggage. Do not place your bags and suitcases on your bed when you enter the room. Your suitcase is most likely dirty and dusty from your travels, which can ruin the clean sheets that you would sleep on.

Cheating the minibar
When you take something from the minibar, it gets added to your bill. Hotels may place sensors that can detect movement on minibars, i.e., every time you pick something up, you can get charged for that item. Do not try and replace the items you have used with cheaper items or different bottles. Further, be careful and don’t move the bottles around or use the minibar for storage as this can also increase the charges.

Covering up room damage
If you accidentally break the door handle or even glass, do not cover it up or lie about it. Inform the staff about any damage to the room so that the employees and future guests are not exposed to hazards. For instance, things like broken switches can lead to electric shocks, and uncleaned glass shards can injure you and other guests.

Stealing
When you take items that are not complimentary, you are stealing from the hotel. While many people take miniature soap bars and shampoos, stealing expensive items like bathrobes, towels, pillows, linen, and hair dryers can cost you. Some hotels maintain a meticulous inventory of such items, and if they notice it missing, they can add the cost to your bill or ask you to return it. Take only the complimentary toiletries and leave the other items.

Pocketing food from breakfast
If you are having breakfast from the complimentary buffet, eat what you can and do not pack from the buffet to eat later. This can mean there is not enough food left for other guests who make it to the buffet in the assigned hours.

Leaving valuables unguarded
Avoid leaving valuables like jewelry, watches, wallets, and expensive gadgets on the table or on your bed. Although the management runs a thorough background check for their staff, there is still a risk that you could lose precious items. Always place such items in the safe or security box available in most rooms or keep them safely hidden elsewhere, out of the reach of visitors in your room.

Cooking without a kitchen area
Some hotels allow you to cook in your room or provide a kitchen or kitchenette, depending on the size of the room. However, if cooking in your room is not permitted, do not use an instant pot or portable electric stove in the room just to save money. This can trigger the fire alarm, and the hotel can also impose a fine. Either opting for food delivery or finding cheaper options nearby can be a safer alternative.

Bringing in extra guests
If you let a guest stay the night or have more people in your room than you paid for, it is important to inform the reception. For instance, hotels may not allow more than two people to stay the night if you have only paid for a double room. Visitors may be allowed to come over for a while, but hotels discourage additional guests and can charge you for the same.

Leaving the door open when showering
Ensure that you lock the main door and the bathroom door while showering. This is important to maintain your privacy, and second, if you leave your bathroom door ajar, the steam could set off the fire alarm.

Not checking for cleanliness
The housekeeping staff is supposed to thoroughly clean up their unoccupied rooms. However, you must check the beds and pillows to see if everything is clean to avoid contracting germs or an infection. If you find pillows or mattresses with stains or clear signs of dirt, you can ask them to be changed or ask for a different room.

Ignoring public pool etiquette
Always look before you dive into the hotel swimming pool so that you do not bother other guests. Swim in your own lane, and do not change it or splash other people. If you have wounds or bruises, avoid swimming to prevent infection. If you are bringing kids to the pool, ensure that you keep an eye on them and schedule bathroom visits at regular intervals. Further, trim your toenails before getting into the pool to avoid accidentally scratching other swimmers.