The first thing most people do after checking into a hotel? Drop the bags, look at the bed, and finally breathe after the journey. Fair enough. But before you get too comfortable, spend a few minutes checking the room.It is not about being overly cautious. Some things are simply easier to sort out when you have just arrived, rather than at midnight or five minutes before checkout.
1. Look around before opening your suitcase
Take a quick walk around the room first. Check the bed area, bathroom, cupboards, and visible surfaces for anything that looks damaged, broken, or out of place.If you notice a problem, take a photo and tell reception then and there. Once your luggage is spread across the room, it becomes harder to establish what was already there.
2. Lock the door from inside
Close the door and try the main lock. If there is a deadbolt, latch, or security chain, check that too.It takes seconds, but you do not want to discover later that the door is not securing properly. If anything feels loose or does not work, call reception before settling in.
3. Check the windows and balcony door
This is particularly worth doing if your room has a balcony or opens onto a busy area.Make sure the window and balcony door close properly and that the latch works. If you are travelling with children, do this before they start exploring the room.
4. Have a quick look at unfamiliar devices
You do not need to inspect every gadget in the room. Just pay attention to anything that looks unusual or does not seem to belong there, particularly devices facing the bed or bathroom.If you find something you cannot identify, do not tamper with it. Ask hotel staff what it is and raise the issue if the explanation is not satisfactory.
5. Test the bathroom before you need it
Turn on the shower, check the water temperature, and flush the toilet once. Also make sure water is draining normally from the sink and shower.It is far better to discover a blocked drain or a shower that is not heating up while you are still fully dressed.
6. Save the reception number
Check the room phone and find out how to reach the front desk. Also take a glance at the emergency information and note where the nearest staircase or emergency exit is.You probably will not need any of it. That is precisely why it is useful to know where it is before you do.
7. Get your phone connected
Connect to the hotel’s Wi-Fi and actually test it instead of assuming it works because your phone says it is connected.If you need to work, make a call or book something online, and check your mobile signal inside the room too. A connectivity problem is much easier to address while you are still near reception.
8. Decide where your valuables will stay
Before unpacking everything, choose one secure place for your passport, cash, cards, and jewellery.If there is a room safe, set it up now and make sure you understand how it operates. Keeping important items together also means you are less likely to leave something behind when you check out.
9. Listen to the room for a minute
This is easy to overlook when you arrive during the day.Turn off the television and simply listen. If you can clearly hear a lift, traffic, a loud corridor, or constant noise from a neighbouring room, speak to reception early if it is likely to bother you.A room change is much easier to request before you unpack.
10. Take a photo of your room number
Before heading out, take a quick picture of the number on your door or save it in your phone.After a tiring journey, hotel corridors can start looking remarkably similar. Having the number saved saves you from standing outside the wrong door wondering whether you are on the fourth or fifth floor.Thumb image: Canva (for representative purposes only)
