You’ve made it to the hotel. You’re sweaty, maybe a little cranky, and all you want is to kick off your shoes and dive headfirst into a pillow that doesn’t smell weird. Totally fair. But before you get too comfy, take five minutes to run through a few quick checks.
It doesn’t matter if you’re staying at a five-star resort or scoring one of those Las Vegas hotel deals that had shockingly good reviews — these little things can save you from surprises, headaches, and weird towel situations later.
Here’s your no-stress, post-check-in checklist. Do it once, do it right, and then go enjoy that tiny shampoo bottle like the hotel royalty you are.
We’re not saying you need to break out the blacklight, but a quick scan goes a long way. Check the sheets, the bathroom, the remote (yep, it’s the dirtiest thing in most hotel rooms), and any surfaces you might actually touch. If something feels off, call the front desk immediately — don't wait until you're crawling into a questionable bed at midnight.
You don’t want to discover your bedside lamp’s busted when you’re already half-asleep or realize the only working outlet is behind the dresser. Test a couple of switches, plug in your phone, and check for obvious red flags. Bonus points if there’s a USB port near the bed. That’s the good stuff.
Too hot? Too cold? Get ahead of the climate drama early. Turn it on, change the settings, and make sure it’s responsive. There’s nothing worse than realizing the thermostat is purely decorative right after you unpack.
One of the fastest ways to know if housekeeping actually did their job: the towels. Are they clean? Do they smell like detergent or something else? Do you have enough of them? If you’re short on anything, ask ASAP. Don’t wait until you’re dripping wet and staring at a hand towel like it’s your only hope.
Take a glance at the folder or tablet in the room that outlines hotel policies. Some “cheap hotels” make up the difference by charging extra for Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, or even using the safe. Know what’s complimentary and what’s not before you accidentally agree to a $12 bottle of water.
Don’t wait until your Zoom call is glitching or your DoorDash won’t load. Connect to the Wi-Fi right away and test the speed. Some hotels still pull the whole “free basic Wi-Fi, premium for $9.99/day” move, so check what you’re working with early, especially if you plan to stream, work, or scroll endlessly in peace.
It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how often people get a smaller bed or “partial ocean view” that’s just the parking lot with vibes. Double-check that your room matches your reservation — bed type, number of guests, accessibility requests, etc. If something’s wrong, speak up immediately. Most front desks would rather fix it now than read your 1-star review later.
No one thinks they’ll need it until they do. Take two seconds to spot the emergency exit map on the back of your door and figure out the nearest stairs. You don’t need to run a drill or anything, just mentally clock it. It’s small, but it’s smart.
If you walk into something broken, dirty, or sketchy-looking, document it. A quick photo or video with a timestamp can save you if there’s ever a dispute about damages or cleaning fees. Plus, it gives you a backup if the hotel tries to say “that stain was definitely your fault.” Spoiler: it wasn’t.
You’re on vacation, not starring in an accidental financial thriller. That tiny bottle of vodka might look harmless, but check the price list before you open anything. The same goes for snacks that cost more than your actual dinner. If temptation is too real, just ask the front desk to empty it. Zero shame.
That’s the list. Doesn’t matter if you’re in a luxury suite or a budget find with hallway carpet straight from 2003 — running through these quick checks sets you up for a smoother stay. It takes five minutes, tops, but it can save you from annoying surprises, weird charges, or realizing too late that your AC sounds like a lawn mower.
Once you’ve done the sweep, flagged anything that needs fixing, and made sure your room is actually working for you, then it’s time to kick back. Order room service. Put on that robe. Watch reality TV on cable for no reason. You’re officially off-duty — do not disturb.
