After almost 30 years in the hospitality industry I figure I've probably checked into a couple thousand hotel rooms. Some were very nice, some not so nice (ask my daughter about one we stayed at in Orlando a couple of years ago...) and the rest fell somewhere in between.
No matter how nice the hotel, I'm pretty set in my ways when it comes to what I do the first time I enter the room. For me, it's throw the suitcase on the bed, turn on the TV/find ESPN and then check out the amenities.
In today's USA Today Lifestyle section, they listed the results of a reader survey which asked the question, "What is the first thing you do after checking into a hotel room?". No big surprises, but I thought I would list them so you could see how you stack up against the average USA Today reader.
- 34% - Adjust the thermostat
- 25% - Turn on the TV
- 21% - Unpack
- 7% - Check out the free toiletries
- 2% - Plug in rechargeable electronics
- 1% - Find the gym
- 10% - Other
So, what about you? Did you fall into one these categories, or do you do something else? Feel free to share with us!
Yeah, adjust thermostat is almost always the first thing. Get the laptop out and turn it on is usually the second thing.
Must admit, if the room's too hot or too cold, the thermostat is my first stop as well.
I usually look around the room to see what you get when you stay in the room. How are the bath rooms? the bed? the view? TV? and at the same time i look to see how clean it all is.
Hmmm, for some reason I figured checking out the bathroom space and free toiletries would be higher up on the list. It is on mine!
I check to see that they left me enough washcloths and towels. Run water in the tub, to be sure it drains properly. I have stayed at some very nice hotels and had to stand in 2-3 inches of water, while showering.
Wow, haven't thought of checking the bath drain. Probably should since I've been burned on that a time or two as well. As for toiletries not being higher on the list...must have had too many guys in the survey sample! lol
I always smell the room for Smoke first thing. I reserve and expect a non-smoking room. Sometimes smokers reserve non-smoking rooms on-purpose or accident as well and then they light-up. I try to get moved if that has happened.
I'm with you Lyle, I hate it when that happens. Happened to me last week with a rental car and they didn't have another car available. Fortunately I'm not allergic, just a strong dislike for the smell of stale smoke!