10 ways to make yourself unpopular in a hotel

26 August 2016 - 02:00 By Andrew Unsworth
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“Inattentive parents” ranks highest on guests’ irritation list, writes Andrew Unsworth

Restaurants and hotels are just two of the public places  we go to get in order to be at least a bit of privacy. That’s why they  are full of  they are full of the unwritten rules of social etiquette, those little dos and don’ts that make sure we avoid intruding do not intrude on other  people’s space —, privacy or enjoyment. A and that others do not intrude on ours.

ETN Global Travel Industry News reports that online booking site Expedia recently released the results of a survey commissioned from  market research company GfK into what features and amenities American travellers prioritise when booking a hotel, as well as what the guest behaviours they find most aggravating in other guests. 

For the second year, the biggest irritation for most travellers, mentioned by 72% of those surveyed,  was “inattentive parents” (rather than naughty children).

“Hallway hellraisers,” people who are noisy in hotel passages, came a close second, with 69% of people citing them.

The 10 least popular fellow hotel guests in the Expedia Hotel Etiquette Study are:

1) Inattentive parents (72%)

2) Hallway hellraisers (69%)

3) In-room revellers (59%)

4) Complainers (53%)

5) Bickerers (35%)

6) The loudly amorous (29%)

7) Poolside partiers (28%)

8) Hot-tub canoodlers (22%)

9) Business bar boozers (17%)

10) Elevator chatterbox (9%)

John Morrey, vice president and general manager of Expedia.com, said that noted that thoughtful behaviour is paramount in a hotel  environment. like a hotel.

“The hotel experience is one that many people love. Fresh towels, a comfortable made bed, room service at the ready —  it can be a deeply enjoyable experience. But it’s vital to remember that you’re not staying there by yourself; you are surrounded by hundreds of people who have paid to share that space. Conscientiousness makes all the difference.”

The 1,018 Americans surveyed were also asked about temptations to misbehave during a hotel stay. In response, 24% admitted to “hoarding” toiletries to take home with them; 11% had let multiple people sleep in their room without notifying the hotel, and 10%  had taken items from their hotel room without permission.

Only 4% admitted to having smoked in a non-smoking room, and even less, only 3% had had deliberately eavesdropped on a neighbouring room.

The survey must have guaranteed anonymity, as 31% of those questioned admitted to having booked a hotel room for the express purpose of having sex being intimate with someone.

The facilities that people listed as “very important” in choosing a hotel included price (73%), complimentary Wi-Fi (63%), location (61%), reviews (43%) and parking options (38%).

The ability to earn hotel rewards points and the hotel brand itself were deemed very important by only 20% and 18% of hotel visitors respectively. Wi-Fi was the most important hotel amenity for 88%, and 97% believed  it should be free.

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