Whether it’s the “early check-in trick” or learning the names of the people who work at the hotel, here are five tried and true ways to maximize your hotel stay.
- Stream Shows to the Hotel’s Big-Screen TV
One hack you must know that will enhance your hotel stay is bringing a streaming device with you (i.e Apple Tv, Chromecast). If your hotel has Wi-Fi and your TV has an HDMI input, then you can use a streaming device to stream video online directly to the hotel TV from your computer, tablet, or phone. You can relax after a fun day exploring and stay up to date on your favorite series’ on Netflix no matter where you are.”
- Use the “Do Not Disturb” Sign for Security
If you’re staying in a cheap or questionable hotel somewhere and you’re wary of leaving your expensive belongings alone with housekeeping. Place the “Do Not Disturb” sign outside your door for the length of the trip. Doing so will keep everyone out of your room while you’re away. They won’t know if you are in there or not, and who really needs the room cleaned every single day?”
- Never Use the “Clean Room” Sign
Never use the clean room sign! Using this sign lets everyone that passes your room know that your valuables are unguarded. It not only tells housekeeping that you would like your room cleaned, but it also tells everyone — including people who are potentially up to no good — that you’re not in the room.
- Keep the Power On With a Spare Card
When staying in hotels, especially overseas. Many hotels use key card systems that require the room key to be inserted into a slot to power the room. The power is only on in your room when you stick your room key/card into the slot by the door. This can become really annoying when you’re out and there’s no air conditioning to cool/heat your room. The way to circumvent the switch and keep power supplied to your room is by sticking an old credit card or membership card (in some cases a simple business card will work) into the slot.
- Turn Your Room A/C Unit into a Makeshift Humidifier
Most of us walk into a dry and stuffy hotel room while traveling. Being in a dry room can wreak havoc on your respiratory system. Place a damp towel near the A/C unit’s airflow to allow for the air to grab the moisture from the towel. Your room will start to fill with humidity within minutes.
Even the very cheapest hotels in Asia have power card systems that can’t be hacked with a credit card or any other card, other than the correct one. I’ve stayed at a couple of hundred hotels all over Asia in the last 10 years and have almost never seen a hotel where a credit card would work.