Staying in a hotel, whether on vacation or business, should be a relaxing, enjoyable experience. Hotel stays should not be a source of stress, and the cleanliness of a hotel room should never be a concern. Unfortunately, many hotel rooms are anything but clean, and pricier rooms can be just as unclean as cheaper accommodations.
The concern is not only about littered carpets and unmade beds. Bacteria, dander, and mold can result in serious health consequences and allergic reactions when hotel rooms are not maintained properly.
The fact that hotel cleanliness is so rare does not mean you should settle for anything less than hygienic. Asking a few important questions in advance of a hotel stay can help weed out the most disgusting rooms. Further, taking a few steps of your own to protect your health while in a hotel room can go a long way toward making you, and your room, a lot cleaner.
Questions to Ask Before Booking:
1. How experienced is the housekeeping staff? Specifically ask about the qualifications of the housekeeping manager, as he or she is typically responsible for training and supervising all other housekeepers employed by the hotel. Does the manager have any academic credentials or belong to any associations, such as the International Executive Housekeepers Association?
2. Does the hotel outsource housekeeping duties, or does it hire and train its own employees? Generally, in-house housekeepers will be better trained and more motivated to do a thorough cleaning job than employees of a third party firm. You can ask the hotel directly about the qualifications and training of their housekeeping staff before booking a room.
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3. Is the hotel certified by the ISSA, or International Sanitary Supply Association? The ISSA issues a certification, called the Cleaning Industry Management Standard, or CIMS, to qualifying hotels. This certification ensures a baseline standard for cleanliness and sanitation in all rooms, including written cleaning instructions and mandatory training programs.
4. What steps does the hotel take to ensure sanitation and hygiene? Are glasses replaced daily after being washed in hot, soapy water? Are the beds covered with triple sheets? Are bed coverings changed even when they appear to be unused? What cleaning products are used to ensure bacteria, mold, and insects are not able to grow and thrive in the hotel room? Are air filters fitted? The answers to these questions are important, and determining whether the hotel staff even knows the answers can be just as important.
5. Research complaints against any hotels you are considering by visiting the Better Business Bureau website or by calling your local BBB. It is important to remember that happy customers are less inclined to report clean conditions than unhappy clients are to report unsatisfactory rooms.
Protect Yourself:
If you’re interested in protecting yourself, here are some suggested items to bring with you on a hotel stay.
1. Bring your own glassware if you feel uncomfortable using the glasses or mugs provided in the hotel room. Disposable cups are lightweight, non-breakable, and typically come wrapped in plastic. They offer an easy means of ensuring contamination-free drinking.
2. Throw an extra sheet in your bag if you would rather not risk sleeping on sheets someone else may have slept on already. Carrying two top sheets, one to lay on the bed and one to be used between you and the blanket, will ensure you do not come into contact with dirty sheets while trying to get a good night of sleep. Some hotels are now using duvets instead of traditional comforters. Duvet covers can be washed more frequently, but this does not guarantee your cover will be clean.
3. If the hotel does not use hypoallergenic covers on the beds and pillows, something that can be determined by asking, it is wise to bring your own covers or pillows with you. Dander and dust mites can be a concern for many people with allergies, and sleeping on pillows that have been used, and perspired on, by countless other people is not healthy even for those without allergies.
4. Wear slippers at all times while in any hotel room. Housekeeping personnel rarely do more than quickly vacuum hotel carpets, which means any spills, dirt, and other substances remain in and on the carpet. Unless you are comfortable walking around in public toilets barefoot, it is important to keep your feet covered and protected.
5. Throw a bottle of disinfectant in your luggage, or bring a pack of disposable disinfectant wipes with you when you plan to stay in a hotel. You can easily wipe down problem areas, such as telephones, doorknobs, and counters, as soon as you get to your room
Hotels with positive reputations generally work very hard to ensure their rooms are clean, as unclean rooms may result in a decrease in business and a loss of income. However, do not assume that your hotel room is clean simply because it is part of a larger chain, costs more than neighboring hotels, or has a good reputation. The cost of your room is not always indicative of its cleanliness, but a little preparation before you leave home will increase your chances of finding a clean hotel room.
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