Travel expert Amir Sudra has highlighted a hotel room detail that could affect sleep quality: rooms ending in “01,” such as 101, 201, 301, or 401. According to Sudra, of Europe Private Tours, these rooms are often positioned near lifts, stairwells, or the start of corridors, which can lead to noise from guests coming and going, lift doors, and suitcases being dragged past the door.
Why rooms ending in 01 can be noisier
Sudra explains that lower-numbered rooms are frequently located near main access points on each floor. While convenient for guests wanting a short walk from the lift, they may be less ideal for those seeking quiet. He notes that the issue is not universal, but he has observed it repeatedly across European hotels.
He said: “When I travel with clients in Europe, one of the biggest things people underestimate is how much a hotel’s layout can affect the whole trip. You can book a beautiful hotel in Paris, Rome, Barcelona or Vienna, but if your room is right next to the lift or stairwell, you may spend the night listening to other guests instead of sleeping.”
The problem can be worse in older European hotels, where soundproofing may not match the building’s charm. Sudra added: “A lot of hotels in Europe are in older buildings, which is part of their appeal. You get character, history and amazing locations, but you do not always get thick modern walls or silent corridors.”
What to ask for at reception
Sudra advises travellers to ask politely for a quiet room away from lifts, stairs, and service areas before accepting the key. He suggests a simple request: “Would it be possible to have a quiet room away from the lift or stairs?” He emphasises explaining the concern about noise rather than focusing on a specific room number.
He says travellers should be especially careful when arriving late, travelling with children, attending a wedding, heading to an early tour, or recovering from a long flight. “If sleep matters on that first night, room choice matters,” he said.
Other hotel rooms worth avoiding
Beyond rooms ending in “01,” Sudra recommends avoiding rooms next to lifts, stairwells, ice machines, housekeeping cupboards, service lifts, bars, restaurants, gyms, and conference rooms. He noted that rooms near housekeeping cupboards can be noisy because staff may start early, and rooms above bars or restaurants can be problematic in city hotels.
Connecting rooms can also be hit or miss, as they may allow more noise from neighbouring guests. For light sleepers, Sudra suggests higher floors, away from lifts, not directly above busy public areas, and not facing a main road. He also prefers courtyard-facing rooms over street-facing ones in cities with late-night activity.
Why travellers should speak up quickly
Sudra says guests have a better chance of being moved if they ask early and politely. “Hotels are usually more flexible before you’ve properly checked into the room,” he said. He advises going back down to reception immediately if the room is beside the lift, rather than waiting until the next morning.
He warns against waiting until midnight unless the noise is genuinely disruptive. For special trips like honeymoons or anniversaries, he recommends adding a quiet-room request before arrival. “A polite request at check-in can save you a lot of stress,” he added. “Never be rude, never demand, and never assume the hotel has done something wrong. Just ask politely for a quieter room away from lifts and stairs.”
