25 Things Your Hotel Staff Won't Tell You But You Should Know

From what hotel stars really mean to tips and tricks for getting bigger rooms these are 25 things your hotel staff won't tell you.
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Independently owned hotels are far more likely to give you a discount. Some chains balk at dropping the rate
Supposedly eco friendly programs such as opting out of having your room cleaned everyday can sometimes be an excuse to not pay the housekeeper (or at least get them to work less)
Housekeepers have the most dangerous job in the hotel. With everything from constantly moving mattresses and furniture to always being exposed to trash, leftovers, and other sometimes nauseating messes
Leaving a tip for housekeeping is usually appreciated but has largely gone out of style.
If you do leave a tip then put it under the pillow and leave a note with it so it is clear who it is for
Hotels can pay a commission of up to 30 percent to online booking sites. Keep that price in mind when you're negotiating and you might reach a deal faster.
The 1-800 reservations number will probably send you to a central office with set rates. If you call the hotel directly instead, you can negotiate.
When it comes to negotiation, however, be careful because if the hotel overbooks then guess who loses their room first? That's right...the cheap customers
Also, by booking directly with a hotel you will lose the leverage that a reputable middle man can give you if something is unsatisfactory
For only $10 per hour your front desk clerk runs errands, plunges toilets, ties bow-ties, delivers towels, handles dead bodies (it happens) and makes breakfast
If you travel to the same location frequently, use the same hotel, and don't act like a jerk you might notice some free upgrades coming your way
More things are negotiable than you would think. If your hotel offers a hot breakfast buffet as well as a free continental breakfast, ask if you can get the hot breakfast with your room. You might be surprised.
Sometimes bosses make employees lie (what else is new?), Like when the elevator is broken and the clerk tell you someone is coming to fix it even though it won't be a week because the hotel doesn't want to pay the weekend repair rate.
Some concierges get kickbacks for sending you to pricey tourist traps. If you want an unbiased recommendation, ask the clerk
If you request a king bed, there's no guarantee. No matter how confident the reservation agent sounds call the hotel to make sure. And then call again the day before you leave.
Don't ask for an upgrade when other guests are within earshot. Want a more spacious room without paying more? Request a corner room
One of the easiest ways to increase your chances of getting upgraded is to arrive early in the day when rooms are being prepped and inventoried.
Although many times the freebies like water bottles and Wi-Fi come with a fee you may be able to get them for free simply by asking in advance
You probably already know this but you are paying for location. If you really don't have to be on main street get something that's still close but not $100 more expensive.
You also pay for the name. Like we said earlier, independent hotels can have numerous advantages of their own. Besides, the majority of top-rated hotels in major destinations are not branded hotels
Even if the menu doesn't have a children's section you can almost always get a discounted kids menu if you just ask
One more thing about tips - most hotels have a rotating staff so everyday you have a new housekeeper. So yes, that means you should tip daily. $5 for 3 star hotels, $10 for 4 stars, and $20 for 5.
Remember that more stars don't necessarily equate to better service. The stars only indicate a difference in amenities such as room size or the number of outlets
This means that a 5 star hotel can have 1 star service
The best way to get a comprehensive idea of where you will be spending the night is to read customer reviews as they generally are the most accurate