🏨 10 main hotel rules that should not be broken

Even the most fun vacation can quickly become tense and unpleasant if hotel rules are violated. Upon entering the room, the vacationer agrees with the list of prohibitions established in the hotel. In some countries they are regulated by the state. In others, each organization forms its own requirements. You can view them on the hotel website or from the administrator upon check-in. 

Failure to comply with the rules can lead to different, but always negative, consequences: from reprimands to criminal proceedings. We have collected the most popular prohibitions that apply in almost all hotels. However, each country has its own specifics. Check it out and be on the lookout!

Do not disturb other residents

Imagine the situation: you spent the whole day exploring a new place, walked tens of kilometers, returned to the hotel to rest, went to bed, and music, screams or moans are heard from another room. It is unlikely that you will feel joy for your neighbors having fun. You would rather want to, at a minimum, yell at these not very cultured people.

So, the main rule of any hotel is not to become a bad neighbor. Loud music and films, active jumping and dancing, quarrels with obscene language – all this will definitely be heard through the thin walls between rooms. Especially in the dark – from 11 pm to 7 am. 

Yes, during vacation you want to relax as much as possible and sometimes it’s just difficult to keep track of time. But don’t forget that there are hundreds of people in the hotel and everyone wants to feel comfortable. If you are just looking at various hotels, we have collected the best options in Turkey for you. You can use tour selection.

You cannot give your guest card and room key to people who have not checked in.

The policy of inviting guests into your room is quite lenient; you just need to register them. But it is forbidden to give your key to friends. This is due to safety requirements.

Unregistered visitors who have access to the room, from the point of view of the hotel administration, pose a threat to other vacationers. In any emergency situation, they will be the first suspects, and the fact of handing over the key will become a very unpleasant reason to start proceedings. 

You cannot store weapons, explosives or start a fire in your room.

A fire detector won't go off if a candle is lit, but it's better not to burn a pile of papers. The principle here is the same – safety comes first. To prevent fire or other emergencies, you do not need to bring hazardous substances into your room. 

Some hotels also prohibit the storage of weapons – firearms and piercing weapons. Of course, you won’t be evicted for a penknife, but a pistol will raise questions. 

We tell you more about safety rules in budget hotels in one of the most popular holiday countries – Turkey – in this material.

No smoking in the room

Different countries have adopted different laws on smoking areas: in some places it can be done anywhere, but in others only in strictly designated areas. The same applies to hotels. Smoking is always prohibited inside the room. Firstly, an unextinguished cigarette can, again, lead to a fire, and secondly, tobacco smoke is absorbed into textiles and settles on the ceiling, spoiling the interior of the room. But smoking on the balcony is already regulated by state laws.

Most often, the hotel itself has a separate smoking area, both outside and inside. In some, this is allowed in special restaurant rooms. But you definitely shouldn’t violate the direct ban and smoke, for example, in the lobby, hoping that no one will notice you. They will notice, scold you, give you a fine and will watch you even more closely.

You cannot secretly bring animals into your room.

Is it possible to stay in a room with a pet? Be sure to check before booking. Most large hotels have private rooms that allow pets. The “Pet-friendly” mark on the company’s website usually signals a friendly attitude towards our little brothers. In the room you will find bowls for food, water and a bed. 

However, there are still many hotels that do not allow pets. If you think that you can first register yourself and then smuggle the animal inside, then it’s better to leave this idea. Firstly, surveillance cameras are everywhere. Secondly, the maid will definitely notice the presence of animal traces while cleaning the room. 

If you are planning to travel with a dog, we recommend reading our article about the most suitable countries for this.

You cannot take things from the room

In the room, vacationers most often find a set of things necessary for a comfortable stay. Some of them are intended for individual use: soap, shampoo, shower gel, disposable slippers and toothbrushes. You can take them with you when you check out. But you shouldn’t be arbitrary with things like towels, bathrobes, bed linen and other textiles. The same list includes dishes, appliances and decorative items. 

All this belongs to the hotel, described and counted. It’s definitely not possible to take them away unnoticed. Upon check-out, the maid will inspect the room and you will have to pay for any missing items.

You cannot use things for other purposes

If you decide to lay a sofa blanket on the bathroom floor to avoid puddles, you are almost guaranteed to damage it. Better call the maid. And making hot sandwiches using an iron, as they teach in viral videos with life hacks, is definitely not a good idea in a hotel room. And of course, do not try to cook dumplings in a kettle. This recipe has proven its ineffectiveness many times over. 

It’s better to wait until you return home and conduct experiments on your own equipment. The desire to save time and money can result in a huge fine for equipment failure. The same applies to unknown devices – it is better to ask the hotel staff how to use them than to deal with the negative consequences later.

You can't cheat with the minibar

Oh, how many people have been seduced and besotted by the minibar in their room! Water, juices, soda and, of course, alcoholic drinks with a couple of bags of nuts for a snack – a curious tenant will find all this in the small refrigerator in the room. But don’t be happy about a pleasant surprise – in most hotels you have to pay extra for a minibar separately. And most often very expensive! The amount that you will be told at the reception will exceed the market value of the products several times.

Some resourceful tourists have tried to replace their drinks with colored water or tea to simulate their sanctity. However, this trick will not work for experienced hotel staff, but will give you a lot of unpleasant proceedings. 

If the minibar is free, there are also some restrictions on its use. You can drink as much as you like, but you are not allowed to take it with you from your room.

It is forbidden to walk around the hotel in an inappropriate manner

This vague wording most often means a ban on moving through the corridor, lobby, restaurant or cafe of a hotel in a swimsuit. Of course, this rule does not apply to the pool area. People there are more likely to surprise you dressed in a business suit. But inside the hotel you should carefully monitor your appearance. Don’t forget that you are still not a guest, much less at home.

Even if you choose a hotel in a resort area by the sea, do not rush to put on a swimsuit right in the room. Throw a light dress on top so as not to embarrass the staff or other vacationers. This is monitored especially strictly in hotels with international status. Agree, it will be awkward if you come out to meet a delegation from another country in a seductive bikini. We talk more about the features of business etiquette here.

You cannot take food away from the buffet 

There are different types of food at the hotel, but almost always a buffet awaits guests in the morning. Various options for pastries, cereals, fruits, sandwiches and egg dishes are the main part of the menu. After you've eaten your fill at a restaurant, you might decide to take a couple of options with you as a snack, but don't do that.

Of course, they won’t take away the bun that you finish chewing on the go, but the plate with desserts should be left on the table. An attempt to take food into your room will most likely be regarded as theft with all the ensuing negative consequences. 

By the way, be sure to read our article about dishes that are definitely worth trying in Georgia if you are going to this country.

The rules listed above are the most common, but it is better to check the exact conditions and list of prohibitions with the specific hotel you have chosen. And then your vacation will definitely be comfortable and safe.