Don’t Make These Mistakes
Booking a hotel can be an annoying and complex process, especially when you haven’t stayed there before. There are so many variables to consider, from cleanliness to customer service to available amenities. Either way, you’ll want to watch out for these 20 things when planning your vacation, as they usually spell a bad time. Have you ever stayed at a hotel with one of these red flags?
1. Fake Photos
Do you ever get on a hotel website only to notice how perfect all the photos look? In fact, maybe they look too perfect. There’s no way that lobby is real or that bedroom is legit. Well, fake photos are quite prevalent on hotel sites, and it might mean they’re hiding their true colors.
2. Old Good Reviews
Whenever booking a hotel, you’ll want to peruse the reviews. Maybe there are plenty of good reviews, but be sure to check the dates on those. If all the positive reviews are from years ago, this likely means something’s up. Six months or older is usually the cutoff point.
3. Uncomfortable Looking Mattresses
If you peruse the bedroom photos and find yourself thinking those mattresses look a bit stiff, then that’s probably because they are. You want to find photos of beds with plump pillows and clean-looking sheets. If you see something questionable, it’s probably a bad sign.
4. Arguing in the Reviews
There’s nothing more unprofessional than an establishment that talks back to its bad reviews. Apologizing for the inconvenience and bringing up ideas for remediation is totally normal. But if the hotel argues with negative reviewers and calls them names, then you know you’re in for a confrontational stay.
5. Damp Furniture
Do you ever sit down on a chair or sofa and suddenly realize that it feels a bit damp? This likely means there’s something up with the cleaning process, or alternatively, there isn’t much cleaning going on. Be sure to inspect the furniture closely before calling it a night.
6. Missing Photos
If the hotel advertises a pool and a restaurant, you’d expect to find photos of them. Or maybe their bedroom photos mysteriously don’t include pictures of the bathroom. These are all questionable actions that you’ll want to be wary of.
7. Smoky Stairwell
If you enter a stairwell and are immediately hit with the smell of smoke, that’s your sign to run. Smoke in the stairwell usually means it’s pretty unkempt, and the guests staying can be a bit rowdy. Maybe just stick to your room, especially if that smoke smell persists in the common areas.
8. Ongoing Renovations
It’s pretty normal for hotels to have occasional renovations as they update and improve their appearance. But you might not want to book during this time, as it can be loud and disturbing to your rest. So take a look at recent Google Photos to determine if they are, in fact, getting work done. On the plus side, if they are, you could use that as a basis for requesting an upgrade.
9. Late Check-In, Early Check-Out
There’s nothing more annoying than a hotel that has you check in in the afternoon but expects you to leave in the morning. So, after that long drive, you’ll have to muddle around while you wait for your room to be available. And you can’t even sleep in on the day of your departure! Totally unfair.
Proxyclick Visitor Management System on Unsplash
10. No Safety Measures
Just because you’re in a hotel doesn’t mean safety isn’t a concern. With that in mind, you should expect locks on your rooms, some sort of security that doesn’t let just anyone in, and discreet customer service available all around. On the other hand, if your hotel door lock looks old and useless, you might want to rethink the stay.
11. Unreasonable Price
Of course, it makes sense that some luxury hotels can cost you thousands of dollars. But be careful when it’s the other way around. If you see a gorgeous high-end hotel only charging a meager price for a stay, you might want to double-check. Remember that saying: if it’s too good to be true, it’s probably because it is.
12. Bad Common Areas
Most hotels offer a range of common areas, which usually include lounges, dining halls, and maybe a pool. Take a close look at these photos, because if they appear dirty, then you can really see how seriously they take hygiene. Plus, if the pool is always closed for maintenance, that’s another cause for concern.
13. Weird Refund Policies
Most hotels understand that life plans change, and a refund may become necessary. Of course, it’s okay to have a defined period for refunds, but if the policy is non-existent or outright weird, you may want to go elsewhere. Be especially cautious when a hotel charges you in advance with no cancellation or refund options.
14. That Smell
Some hotels just have a smell, and it’s hard to really define. Maybe it’s the smell of so many people living under one roof, or maybe it’s the bleach smell from a lot of cleaning. Either way, make sure the general smell feels clean and approachable, as an off-putting one could be a warning for something worse.
15. Stingy Breakfast
An inclusive breakfast, or even one you have to pay extra for, is a nice bonus. But if the offerings are stingy, then you know how little they value customer service. If the included breakfast is just coffee and a croissant, maybe stay somewhere that values you more.
16. No Mattress Protector
When looking through those photos, be sure to take a good look at that mattress. Do you see a mattress protector? If not, it might be a strong indicator that the hotel is pretty cheap. Most places will need that protector for spills and bugs, after all.
17. Additional Fees
There’s nothing more annoying than noticing a bunch of additional fees in your price tag. It might be a little too late once you get that bill, but you can certainly share your findings in a review to save other people. However, you might be able to find these additional fees in your estimate, for example, some hotels charge an “urban fee.”
18. Disappointing Drive-By
If you’re in the area, consider driving by the hotel you plan on staying at. If one looks at the place fills you with disappointment, then you should trust that gut feeling. Consider walking inside and even seeing how the customer service treats you if you need help solidifying your decision.
19. Untidy Lobby
The lobby is the first impression most people get when entering a hotel, and so it should be beautifully kept to entice visitors. If the lobby is messy and dirty, then you can only assume the state of the rest of the hotel. Odds are, if they don’t care to keep the lobby spotless, they won’t care much for your room either.
Frames For Your Heart on Unsplash
20. No Free Wi-Fi
In the year 2025, Wi-Fi is needed for a lot of things: from paying your bills, to communicating with loved ones, to signing in for work. With that in mind, every hotel should offer free, or at the very least, available Wi-Fi. If you notice that isn’t the case, consider whether you want to do a daily commute to Starbucks to handle your online activity.
