In everyone’s perfect vacation fantasies, you arrive at your destination and your room is ready as soon as you’re ready to check-in. Unfortunately, rarely does reality follow your well-laid plans. Unless you get lucky or get there after the stated check-in time, chances are good that you’ll arrive at your accommodations before your room is actually ready. In those instances, you could choose to pout or throw a fit, or you could follow our great tips on what to do when you arrive too early to check-in. 

While it may seem like something you’d read on a conspiracy theory site or even in a science fiction book, it’s true: hotels may be listening in via Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa. Amazon just signed a deal to outfit many Marriot & Westin hotel rooms with their Echo devices to assist travelers in their quest for the perfect vacation. But, there are mixed thoughts regarding this partnership. Some people are thrilled with the convenience of having a personal vacation concierge while others are worried about their family’s privacy. If you’re planning to stay in a hotel anytime soon, read on to get the scoop on this futuristic move! 

Why do hotels want to upgrade with Alexa? 

Hotels are trying to keep up with industry standards and are getting increasingly more tech-dependent, so it’s only fitting that hotels would start to implement the tech that we are using in our every day lives to make vacation stays even more magnificent. And despite some patron’s concerns about privacy, most people in the hospitality industry agree that having a virtual assistant in every hotel room would be beneficial not just for the short-term satisfaction of customers, but for the long-term goals of the hotel industry.

Although most people regard check-in/check-out as the second most aggravating part of the vacation (behind the flight,) those people underestimate how this experience can affect your vacation. Checking-in usually provides your very first impression of your accommodations, and that impression can make or break your trip. And although most people skip the check-out experience, it can help to improve a bad experience, or even top off an amazing vacation. Take a look at our list of the top five things not to do at hotel check-in and check-out to make your next overnight trip a marvelous success!

1.) Don’t Be Shy

You can’t get what you want without asking for it! Check-in is the best time to find out everything you’ll need to know during your stay, like check out time and the hotel’s amenities that you can utilize. It’s also the best time to see if you can snag any free perks like a free upgrade, late check-out or even signing up for any specials the hotel might offer like free rentals that they don’t openly advertise. Ask for anything else you may want or need while you’re here, too. You can ask for extra pillows or toiletries, an extra ice bucket or a mattress topper. But remember to always ask for these things politely and with a nice smile; don’t behave as if the employee is required to fulfill your request. If you build a good rapport with a member of the hotel staff, you may be surprised by the extra upgrades you can receive. 

Earlier this year, travel giant Expedia released their Hotel Etiquette Study. This research measured, among other things, the particular aggravating behaviors that annoy fellow travelers. Take a look at the top 10 results from the report and follow our tips to ensure you aren’t the hotel guest everyone is complaining about on your next trip.

Photo by Professional Images / CC BY

Hotel options are as diverse as the people who frequent them. With the plethora of options available, it can be hard to narrow down your potential ‘home away from home’ when you start planning a vacation. One of the things that makes a hotel really stand apart from the crowd is its available amenities. More and more hotels are offering their guests unique perks for staying with them. We’ve compiled 10 of the most amazing hotel amenities currently offered so the next time you’re looking for a truly memorable experience that’s far from ordinary, you’ll be covered!