I love hotels. I really do. Fresh sheets, room service, someone else making the bed. What’s not to love? But after thousands of hotel stays, I’ve learned that hotels also have a special talent for slowly driving guests insane. Here are the things that consistently push me over the edge.
Resort Fees
Let’s start with the obvious scam. Resort fees are the hotel equivalent of “surprise, we lied.” Just build it into the rate and stop pretending I’m getting value from a yoga mat I’ll never use.
Slow Elevators
I always seem to pick hotels that have really slow elevators—especially when I’m on a high floor, so it’s not easy to walk up or down.
Connecting Room Doors
Nothing says privacy like a thin door separating you from a stranger’s TV, phone calls, and marriage problems.
When the Front Desk Doesn’t Answer the Phone
If I wanted to be ignored, I’d stay home. When I call the front desk, I expect someone to answer in a timely manner.
Hotel Alarm Clocks
Especially the ones that go off at 3:47 a.m. because the last guest had an early morning flight to catch. Bonus rage points if you can’t figure out how to turn it off, confirm it’s off, or unplug it.
Bathrooms With No Doors
An open-concept bathroom is not luxury. It’s a design crime, especially if you’re traveling with someone.
Showers With No Doors
Who decided this was a good idea? Nothing like turning the bathroom into a splash zone while freezing cold air rushes in.
Toiletries You Can’t Read Without Glasses
Is this shampoo, conditioner, or body wash? I have no idea, and now my hair feels weird.
Cheap Shampoo and Conditioner
If my hair feels worse after washing it, something has gone very wrong. Especially, since I have very little hair.
Carpet Instead of Hardwood Floors
Hotel carpet has seen things. Things no amount of vacuuming can fix.
Bedspreads and Decorative Bedding
We all know those decorative throws and bed runners never get washed. Yet there they are, daring you to touch them.
Rude Guests in the Hallway at Night
If you’re speaking loudly while walking down the hallway at 1 a.m., please know that everyone hates you equally.
Loud Employees
Being woken up at 5 a.m. by staff chatting, laughing, or yelling into walkie-talkies should not be part of the experience.
Housekeepers Slamming Room Doors
Why slam the door when you’re just going to open it again in 30 seconds? Prop it open.
Loud A/C Units
I don’t need white noise that sounds like a jet engine preparing for takeoff.
Annoying Bright Lights
Why is there a glowing LED from the TV, the smoke alarm, the light switch, and something I can’t even identify aimed directly at my face? This is one of the main reasons why I travel with gaffer tape.
No Blackout Curtains
Sunrise should not double as a wake-up call unless I asked for it.
Mini Bar Attendants
Fortunately, most hotels are doing away with minibars, but the ones that still have them have workers checking the contents at what always seems to be the worst time.
Long Waits for Valet and Check-In
Nothing sets the tone for a stay like standing in line after a long trip.
Hotels can be wonderful, but these little (and not-so-little) annoyances add up fast. I’ll still keep checking in, but I reserve the right to complain. Now it’s your turn. What drives you nuts?
Haha, this list had me laughing because so many of these hit close to home! From tiny toiletries and confusing light switches to overpriced mini-fridges and inconsistent Wi-Fi, it’s amazing how the little things can make or break a hotel stay. I especially agree about the lack of USB outlets — how hard can that be to fix?! Thanks for putting this together — now I’m curious what other travelers would add to the list! What drives you nuts when staying in hotels?
Very good article. I agree 100%
Tiny bathroom counters that can only hold a toothbrush, no hooks or too few hooks for bath towels and hangers that can’t be removed.
Poor lighting. Annoying
Bedside worn out lamp base electrical outlets where your charger can’t get a good connection. Here’s looking directly at you Fairfield.
Me thinks you’ve covered it all. My fav is the dirrrrrty comforter. Even if they replace those with duvets, they still insist on putting dirty shams on top of your pillows. That really and truly annoys me.
Nailed it!
Too few electrical outlets — and those that are there, are in inaccessible places (behind furniture that can’t be moved, too far from the bed, etc.).
Too few hangers.
TV blaring when you walk in the room, and the remote is hidden somewhere.
1. Wall heaters rather than central heating/cooling.
2. Exorbitant parking fees for self – parking your car. Hilton Properties thrive on these ridiculous fees.
3. Hotels that make it impossible to retrieve personal belongings left behind, even if you call the same day after realizing you left something in your room.
4. Up-charges for rooms that are not upgrades but on a floor or position on a floor that you prefer. I’m a diamond member at Hilton abotels, travel extensively, stay at Hilton Properties when
Ever possible yet have a hard time requesting special needs.
5. Front desk personnel that pay no attention to the “status” you have earned when checking in or asking for help.
Paying for $25 daily parking. I parked my own car and the lot is outside!
I complain and they remove the charge. I have also complained to the hotel chain directly. This happens regularly at Pacifica Hotel group’s property in Pismo Beach.
Duvets – it’s 105 degrees in Phoenix – why do I need a duvet to keep me warm? and tons of other places in the world. How does one sleep with all the heaviness on top of them?
Do they ever get cleaned? I always have to strip the inside out of the cover because it’s too darn warm – do you have any idea of how heavy that is + how much work it takes?
Do you get a clean duvet cover when you check in? I bet not – disgusting.
100% agree