Etiquette expert William Hanson has warned that the worst mistake hotel guests can make is treating staff badly, a behaviour that can sabotage their entire stay before they even reach their room. In an exclusive interview with the Mirror, Hanson stated: "The worst thing to do at a hotel is to treat the staff badly. No one deserves to be treated with anything but dignity and compassion - it's so basic."
First Impressions Matter from the Moment You Walk In
Hanson explained that service staff form a first impression of guests as they approach the front desk, influencing decisions on upgrades or welcome drinks. "Some guests don't realise that you are being watched the moment you arrive," he warned. Research from Hotels.com found that 40% of Brits believe their hotel manners are deteriorating, with 51% admitting to being discourteous to staff.
Common Guest Missteps and Their Impact
Beyond initial interactions, Hanson highlighted that guests often overlook how their behaviour affects housekeeping. "You might be fine having things all over the floor in your bedroom, but actually, that's going to make housekeeping service very difficult," he said. Hotels.com research revealed that 25% of Brits admitted to leaving their hotel room excessively untidy, while 23% confessed to washing their underwear in the hotel kettle.
William Hanson's Grand Etiquette Hotel Guide
To help guests improve, Hanson compiled a guide with Hotels.com, emphasising that small thoughtful behaviours lead to big rewards. Key tips include:
- The art of engaging staff with dignity: Treat every staff member with genuine respect to unlock personalised service.
- Halcyon hallways: Move quietly through corridors, especially late at night.
- Libationary lessons: Drink in moderation in shared spaces to maintain dignity.
- On burning embers and better judgment: Avoid smoking indoors to prevent penalties.
- Housekeeping is not an archaeological activity: Keep the room tidy so housekeeping can work efficiently.
- Lavation gentility: Use the kettle only for hot drinks, not laundry.
- Borrowing, ownership, and other dangerous assumptions: Take only slippers and toiletries, not larger items.
- Marshalling one’s morning repast: Queue at the breakfast buffet.
- The folly of flag‑planting by towel: Do not reserve sun loungers with towels and disappear.
- Loyalty, and why it gets one further: Use loyalty programmes like Hotels.com Rewards to earn benefits.
Hanson concluded: "At the heart of my guide with Hotels.com is the idea that small, thoughtful behaviours add up to big rewards: from a better night's sleep and improved service to savings on future trips."
