In the most uncertain times that we live in today, we worry about our safety in pretty much everything we do buy or use. Cleanliness has become critical to a whole new level, especially in the hospitality industry. Fancy welcome drinks and smooth check-in may not excite travelers anymore. They are now looking for contactless services and, most importantly, sanitized rooms for a safe stay.
As most hotels begin to re-open, the owners are going above industry standards to give their guests, ‘you are safe here’ assurance when they check-in to stay. To address it at large, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has introduced Safe Stay, a program of enhanced health and safety protocols designed to prepare hotels across the U.S. to welcome back both guests and employees.
You understand that a slightly dirty bathroom floor is unlikely to put your life at risk, but an unclean hotel room could affect your health; the most common afflictions are colds or stomach viruses.
It’s imperative to remember that we are in the midst of an evolving situation. It’s crucial to follow guidelines set forth by organizations such as the CDC and WHO and practice safety measures no matter where you go and stay, like wearing a mask, washing your hands often, and maintaining social distancing.
Before you slide into that extra cushiony bed, here are a few things you can do to know for sure if your hotel room is clean upon your check-in.
Read Reviews – A Little Research for Your Safety Won’t Hurt
The most expensive hotel stay does not guarantee maximum hygiene or cleanliness, as there are no international standards or guidelines that these hotels need to follow. So, the most reliable option is to find out what other travelers have to say about the hotel’s rooms etc. We suggest you read hotel reviews from a variety of known sources, including travel review sites, blogs, and social media. Don’t limit yourself to just one source.
It’s Important to Do a Visual Check
All that shines might not be clean. Before you get to your room, make sure to look around all the frequently used areas such as entrance door handles, lobby, elevators, etc. Take a few minutes to inspect your room visually, and the critical area to look at is the bed where bedbugs hide and are recognized as tiny brown bugs.
Check the Bathroom
Bacteria that cause athlete’s foot and other grungy fungus-based ailments make themselves right at home in the grout between bathroom tiles. It takes boiling water to kill off these microscopic spores, and if there’s fungus around the tub, you know they are still lurking. Fungus builds up over time, so if you see black stains or greenish mold, you know the area hasn’t been cleaned in a very long time. Hair stuck around the plug, soap scum on the shower curtain, or gummy stains at the toilet base are all signs of an uncleaned bathroom. (Era Staff, 2020)
Remove the Bedspread
We all know that most hotels do not wash heavy bedspreads after each unique guest. The frequency of laundering varies from hotel to hotel, so if a former occupant who may have cuddled up with the blanket that now lies across your bed creeps you out, call your hotel and ask how often the staff washes the bedspreads. (Costello, 2020)
Avoid Using the Glassware
There’s no guarantee that your room glasses and mugs aren’t merely rinsed off under the tap by the cleaning staff, or even wiped down with the same sponge to clean other parts of the bathroom. The quick way to deal with this is to run your cup under hot water for a minute or two before using it; this will kill most bacteria. (Costello, 2020)
Move Stuff Around to Check
Upon entering the room, don’t just notice what’s right in front of your eyes. Look behind the television counter, move the lamp or the clock radio bit, and you may find a line of dust. It could mean that the room service did a quick swipe rather than a thorough cleaning.
Trust Your Judgement, Ask Away!
We advise using these above tips to inspect your hotel room, its practical and in your best interest. Of course, there is no way to tell if your hotel room is 100% clean. But just like with people, there are “symptoms”. If there is something in your room that you don’t find fresh, don’t be afraid to ask for quick cleaning, replace sheets, or a different room. Most hotels care about their guest’s experience, and any issues you have noticed may be an exception and can be easily fixed.
Our local hotels want to wow you and part of that is building trust with visitors who demand hotel rooms be safe and clean. We appreciate hotel staff and administration who work hard to give you an over-the-top customer experience. We feel the same way at Elite Care, your Las Vegas Strip ER and Acute Care Hospital. Our facility shines and our accommodations and amenities will exceed your expectations.
Works Cited
Era Staff, B. (2020, August 24). 7 Ways to Tell if Your Hotel Room is Really Clean. Brave Era. https://braveera.com/blogs/news/7-ways-to-tell-if-your-hotel-room-is-really-clean.
Costello, C. (2020, March 26). How to Guarantee a Clean Hotel Room. SmarterTravel. https://www.smartertravel.com/find-clean-hotel-room/.
MacNevin, L. (2015, April 28). How to Tell if Your Hotel Room is Actually Clean. https://www.escapehere.com/travel-tips/how-to-tell-if-your-hotel-room-is-actually-clean/.
Ramani, S. (2020, May 7). From Digital Room Keys to No-Contact Check-In: How Hotels Are Redefining Cleanliness and Safety. Robb Report. https://robbreport.com/travel/hotels/hotel-cleaning-safety-programs-2919132/.
