Think you're scoring a premium experience by booking a top-floor hotel room with a view? Think again. A leading hotel expert has issued a stark warning to travellers, revealing the one floor you should always try to avoid for a more peaceful and comfortable stay.
The conventional wisdom of 'higher is better' is being turned on its head. While penthouse suites promise luxury, the standard rooms on the highest floors come with a host of hidden drawbacks that can ruin your holiday.
The Biggest Complaints on the Top Floor
According to the insider, the top floor is often the noisiest and most uncomfortable place to be. Here’s why:
- Extreme Temperatures: Rooms directly under the roof absorb the sun's heat all day, turning them into saunas in the summer and often making the air conditioning struggle to cope.
- Mechanical Noise: This floor is typically where all the hotel's heavy machinery lives—think massive air conditioning units, elevator motors, and water pumps. Their constant humming and sudden vibrations can be a major sleep disruptor.
- Long Waits for the Lift: Being the last stop, you'll experience the longest wait times for an elevator, especially during peak hours when it stops on every other floor first.
The Safety Factor You Haven't Considered
Beyond comfort, there's a practical safety element. In the rare event of an emergency, firefighters' ladders have a limited reach. Being on the highest floor could mean a longer and more stressful wait for assistance or a more difficult descent.
The Hotel Pro's Golden Booking Rule
So, where should you book? The expert's golden rule is to aim for a room on a middle floor.
This is the sweet spot that avoids the ground-floor noise of lobbies, bars, and street traffic, while also sidestepping the top-floor's mechanical and temperature issues. You get the peace and quiet you paid for, with the convenience of quicker elevator access.
Your next hotel stay doesn't have to be a lottery. By skipping the top floor and opting for a mid-level room, you're far more likely to check into a tranquil retreat and check out truly refreshed.
