The global hotel industry is absolutely massive. No matter what type of traveler you are, you still need some place to rest and sleep. However, your stay might not meet all of your wants and needs. Well, that is, unless you know how to ‘hack’ the system while traveling the world.
#1
Don't discount 2 and 3 star hotels. Often they are rated that way because they have less facilities, but they have other things to offer. I love an older hotel for example, they frequently bagged the best spot on the beach or that corner in the Old Town. They can have larger rooms and higher ceilings. They may be family run and have five star service. Sometimes the best room in a 3 star hotel is the better option than the worst room in the 5 star hotel. I just feel a lot of people will automatically tick 4 and 5 on the booking engine and they might miss out on a great hotel.
37points
#2
As a front desk receptionist: you have no clue about how many cool things I can give you (upgrade, complimentary breakfast, welcome drinks, late checkout) if you are nice to us. also if you seem like someone who would compliment my work online.
BUT if you start the checkin by DEMANDING an upgrade or anything else, I might decide you’re not worth the trouble ✨.
BUT if you start the checkin by DEMANDING an upgrade or anything else, I might decide you’re not worth the trouble ✨.
32points
#3
You can put any card in the card holder to enable electricity. i do that to keep my phone charging while going to breakfast, or keep the air conditioner running.
gafftaped:
Visited some friends a few months ago and they had an electricity energy pokemon card in the card holder. Gave me a good laugh.
gafftaped:
Visited some friends a few months ago and they had an electricity energy pokemon card in the card holder. Gave me a good laugh.
28points
Hotels are still incredibly popular, despite the rise of alternative accommodation options such as Airbnb.
As reported by Statista, the hotel market revenue worldwide was expected to exceed $450 billion in 2025. Hotel occupancy rates have also bounced back to pre-pandemic levels.
You can measure a hotel chain’s global success in very different ways.
The leading hotel in terms of brand value is Hilton, clocking in at $11.5 billion in 2024. Meanwhile, the leading hotel and resort company by sales is Marriott International, with $25 billion. However, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has the most properties worldwide, with nearly 9,300 units in 2025.
#4
Bring painters tape. There's always led screens and if you're sensitive to light, just tape it over. Alarm clock, microwave, weird led indicators, etc.
kellyisamystery:
I wrap my pill bottle with about 10 layers of tape and just peal a piece off as needed like it is a tape roll.
kellyisamystery:
I wrap my pill bottle with about 10 layers of tape and just peal a piece off as needed like it is a tape roll.
25points
#5
Ever forget a phone charger cord or brick? Most hotels have a huge box of them under the desk from everyone who leaves them.
24points
#6
Check the mattress for signs of bedbugs before you open your suitcase. Doesn't matter if it's a hostel or expensive hotel chain.
Educational_Corgi809:
Work in pest control can confirm i trained all my family to do this, and yes even that expensive hotel you have paid top dollar for isn't immune.
Educational_Corgi809:
Work in pest control can confirm i trained all my family to do this, and yes even that expensive hotel you have paid top dollar for isn't immune.
23points
Consumer trends are always shifting, and the hotel industry isn’t immune to this either. As per SiteMinder’s 2026 report, this year, online travel agencies (OTAs) overtook search engines for the first time.
“26% of travellers now start their hotel research on platforms like Booking.com, surpassing Google and other search engines (21%) for the first time in industry history. [...] OTAs now serve as research starting points, not just final booking destinations. Travellers are beginning their journey within platforms that combine search, comparison, and booking in one place.”
At the same time, direct booking is also making a comeback. 18% of travelers who started their search on OTAs ended up booking directly with hotels, “as they seek more control, better service, and direct communication with properties.”
Meanwhile, many travelers are opting for a more luxurious experience. 58% of customers now book premium rooms. In other words, more guests prioritize “elevated, memorable experiences over basic accommodation” and allocate more of their budgets for them.
#7
Hotels are a great place for on the road bathroom breaks. The lobby bathroom is accessible and almost always very clean. In addition to hotels, banks and hospitals also have clean bathrooms.
23points
#8
If you know you are going to be checking later in the day/evening. Email/call them and let them know. Otherwise you risk being marked as a no-show and your room being given away if the hotel is fully booked.
GeminiIsMissing:
I work in a hotel and we'll keep your room until 3 in the morning, and for multi-night reservations, we'll just roll it over so that you can check in the next day. I kind of can't believe other hotels do this, it's so scummy.
GeminiIsMissing:
I work in a hotel and we'll keep your room until 3 in the morning, and for multi-night reservations, we'll just roll it over so that you can check in the next day. I kind of can't believe other hotels do this, it's so scummy.
22points
#9
Not a hack but a warning. Seen a video of someone using the coffee pot to wash their underwear and calling that a hack. After seeing that my advice to you is trust nothing in that room is even slightly clean and act accordingly.
22points
If you’ve got a spare moment, we’d love to hear your thoughts, Pandas!
What are your best personal hotel hacks that have made your stay that much more comfortable?
What are the very best and worst hotels you’ve ever stayed at and why? What do you look for in accommodation when you’re traveling? Tell us all about it in the comments.
#10
Always ask for a room upgrade quietly at check-in, most staff can make it happen if the hotel isn’t full, and it feels like hitting a secret level.
dunce_charming:
I do that in Vegas.
I once booked a normal room at the Riviera, I asked the lady booking me in if she could get me a suite... AND SHE DID. I was friendly, that's it.
Top floor, 4 rooms, full bar, etc. I paid like $40 that night.
dunce_charming:
I do that in Vegas.
I once booked a normal room at the Riviera, I asked the lady booking me in if she could get me a suite... AND SHE DID. I was friendly, that's it.
Top floor, 4 rooms, full bar, etc. I paid like $40 that night.
20points
#11
When traveling abroad, bring one adapter and an extension lead.
1 plug becomes 4-5 :).
1 plug becomes 4-5 :).
20points
#12
Put a shoe in the hotel safe. You won’t forget anything important in there.
HyperbolicModesty:
After having left everything in a safe last year - passport, credit cards, etc. - I now put my car keys in there.
HyperbolicModesty:
After having left everything in a safe last year - passport, credit cards, etc. - I now put my car keys in there.
18points
#13
The 24 hour cancelation fee.
If you have to cancel your room, call the hotel and say I would like to reschedule my room for a later date. Once your room is rescheduled your now able to cancel your room penalty free.
Party_Cold_4159:
Remember this was the trick to get out of Adobe’s awful cancellation fee.
If you have to cancel your room, call the hotel and say I would like to reschedule my room for a later date. Once your room is rescheduled your now able to cancel your room penalty free.
Party_Cold_4159:
Remember this was the trick to get out of Adobe’s awful cancellation fee.
18points
#14
If there is a charge for the mini-fridge, tell them you need it to keep medication in. They will empty it and not charge for anything.
AHeartFullOfBats:
This is what we do at my hotel. The mini bar actually have tabs on them that when broken will automatically bill to the room. If you need to store medications or personal snacks/drinks we have separate empty mini fridges free of charge.
PublicHlthScientist:
The last several hotels I’ve stayed in, I’ve asked them to empty the fridge in advance because I would need to bring my own restricted-diet food to prepare (the rooms also had at least a microwave). They met my request no problem.
AHeartFullOfBats:
This is what we do at my hotel. The mini bar actually have tabs on them that when broken will automatically bill to the room. If you need to store medications or personal snacks/drinks we have separate empty mini fridges free of charge.
PublicHlthScientist:
The last several hotels I’ve stayed in, I’ve asked them to empty the fridge in advance because I would need to bring my own restricted-diet food to prepare (the rooms also had at least a microwave). They met my request no problem.
18points
#15
ALWAYS STAY AT THE CONFERENCE HOTEL!
You might be tempted to get one a bit cheaper a small distance away or something. No. You should always stay at the conference hotel. The ability to dip for a nap or any other reason is too valuable. You can change clothes in middle of day.
After hours the most important people will be at the conference hotel and hang in or around it.
Also. Bring a swimsuit no matter how unlikely. You never know.
CynicalGenXer:
Great tip. The only problem I see lately that conference hotel rates are just getting too expensive. Every hotel in the area tends to jack up prices if there is a conference going on, but if conference hotel rates is way above corporate threshold, you’ll just be forced to stay elsewhere. Sometimes it’s not too bad, I stayed at places where I’d get lower cost, free hot breakfast, and it was only a very short walk in nice weather.
There were times when conference hotel rates were actually competitive, I stayed at very nice hotels in Vegas decade ago. But these days it’s a luxury. It is super nice though to be able to walk to your room for a break.
You might be tempted to get one a bit cheaper a small distance away or something. No. You should always stay at the conference hotel. The ability to dip for a nap or any other reason is too valuable. You can change clothes in middle of day.
After hours the most important people will be at the conference hotel and hang in or around it.
Also. Bring a swimsuit no matter how unlikely. You never know.
CynicalGenXer:
Great tip. The only problem I see lately that conference hotel rates are just getting too expensive. Every hotel in the area tends to jack up prices if there is a conference going on, but if conference hotel rates is way above corporate threshold, you’ll just be forced to stay elsewhere. Sometimes it’s not too bad, I stayed at places where I’d get lower cost, free hot breakfast, and it was only a very short walk in nice weather.
There were times when conference hotel rates were actually competitive, I stayed at very nice hotels in Vegas decade ago. But these days it’s a luxury. It is super nice though to be able to walk to your room for a break.
17points
#16
I work in the construction industry, and am constantly on the road for 2/3 of the year.
I’m usually traveling solo, but I book rooms with two beds when I can, that way I have a decent chance of a clean bed. If I pull back the comforter and find hair/stains/etc. I’ll check the other bed. If it’s bad too, I’ll get a different room or go to a different hotel (if I can swing it). If it at least looks cleaner than the first bed, I can deal with it for at least one night.
Sometimes I get lucky and both beds are clean, and I can use one bed for when I’ve showered after getting back from the job site and one for when I can’t be bothered to.
Never use the ceramic/glass cups unless you wash them yourself. If you have a hotel room with a kitchenette, clean things before you use them.
If the shower floor is dangerously slippery or doesn’t have those textured strips on the bottom, lay one of the towels down and stand on that while you shower. It’s weird to get used to, but it’s better than slipping and giving yourself a concussion (or worse).
Sometimes the free breakfast isn’t worth it. Once watched an employee crush down the garbage in the bin with her bare hands and then go refill the pastry case without washing her hands. Have also watched places swatting flies at the fruit bowl. These were 4 star hotels. .
I’m usually traveling solo, but I book rooms with two beds when I can, that way I have a decent chance of a clean bed. If I pull back the comforter and find hair/stains/etc. I’ll check the other bed. If it’s bad too, I’ll get a different room or go to a different hotel (if I can swing it). If it at least looks cleaner than the first bed, I can deal with it for at least one night.
Sometimes I get lucky and both beds are clean, and I can use one bed for when I’ve showered after getting back from the job site and one for when I can’t be bothered to.
Never use the ceramic/glass cups unless you wash them yourself. If you have a hotel room with a kitchenette, clean things before you use them.
If the shower floor is dangerously slippery or doesn’t have those textured strips on the bottom, lay one of the towels down and stand on that while you shower. It’s weird to get used to, but it’s better than slipping and giving yourself a concussion (or worse).
Sometimes the free breakfast isn’t worth it. Once watched an employee crush down the garbage in the bin with her bare hands and then go refill the pastry case without washing her hands. Have also watched places swatting flies at the fruit bowl. These were 4 star hotels. .
17points
#17
Former room assigner here.
Book directly. Third party bookings aren’t worth the small savings.
When doing upgrades employee 50% discounted rooms got upgrades before 3rd party bookings.
Direct bookings and loyalty club got top priority.
Expedia, Travelocity, Booking.com get whatever’s left.
Edit to add: In my particular uber touristy region the 3rd party savings was little to none.
If you see a large price difference and don’t care where they stick u in the hotel by all means book 3rd party. However any errors made in the res by you or the booking agent take forever for us to fix.
Book directly. Third party bookings aren’t worth the small savings.
When doing upgrades employee 50% discounted rooms got upgrades before 3rd party bookings.
Direct bookings and loyalty club got top priority.
Expedia, Travelocity, Booking.com get whatever’s left.
Edit to add: In my particular uber touristy region the 3rd party savings was little to none.
If you see a large price difference and don’t care where they stick u in the hotel by all means book 3rd party. However any errors made in the res by you or the booking agent take forever for us to fix.
16points
#18
Things I do:
1. Always travel with hair clips (for my hair & for the curtains)
2. I bring a clean pillow case from home. I put it over the pillow my face sleeps on (hotels clean thin pillow cases, not pillows). When my stay is over, the pillow case becomes my dirty clothes bag.
3. Disinfectant wipes for high traffic-touch items.
4. A pair of shoes that are easy to slip on (i have seen both blood & vomit on the carpets of 5 star hotels in hard to reach places)
5. I call the hotel before booking online…have gotten decent discounts this way.
6. Noise cancelling headphones for sleeping.
EDIT (to add):
7. Dry towel over lighted electronics at night & door crack when applicable
8. Rolling bag w/ hanger at top (yet, to find a place I couldn’t ultimately hang it).
1. Always travel with hair clips (for my hair & for the curtains)
2. I bring a clean pillow case from home. I put it over the pillow my face sleeps on (hotels clean thin pillow cases, not pillows). When my stay is over, the pillow case becomes my dirty clothes bag.
3. Disinfectant wipes for high traffic-touch items.
4. A pair of shoes that are easy to slip on (i have seen both blood & vomit on the carpets of 5 star hotels in hard to reach places)
5. I call the hotel before booking online…have gotten decent discounts this way.
6. Noise cancelling headphones for sleeping.
EDIT (to add):
7. Dry towel over lighted electronics at night & door crack when applicable
8. Rolling bag w/ hanger at top (yet, to find a place I couldn’t ultimately hang it).
16points
#19
You can usually get free bottled water in the gym.
theskywalker74:
Not only that, but usually has the best cold water for filling your bottle. It’s how I avoid spending money on water in any/every hotel.
theskywalker74:
Not only that, but usually has the best cold water for filling your bottle. It’s how I avoid spending money on water in any/every hotel.
15points
#20
A pack of hothands put atop the thermostat to trick it into actually cooling the room.
15points