You know that uneasy feeling you get when something doesn’t feel right?
If you’ve ever stayed at a hotel previously, you probably recognize that feeling as intuition. Your intuition is one of your greatest assets when traveling. It can help you avoid staying at a less desirable hotel. You may frequently stay at or plan to do so soon. Then, it’s essential to understand what makes a good one and what makes a bad one.
Below are five red flags you’re about to stay at a lousy hotel.
1. The Hotel Is Overpriced
Depending on where you’re traveling, you may have a pretty good idea of what you expect to pay for your stay. You may notice that the hotel you’re considering is more expensive than the rest. Then, that could be a red flag.
Keep in mind, though, that expensive hotels are not always terrible hotels. If you’re looking to splurge on your stay, that’s one thing. But if you desire to save money, there are plenty of other options. So if you come across a hotel that seems overpriced, don’t hesitate to keep searching for others.
2. There’s Poor Lighting in the Rooms
If you’re staying at a less reputable hotel, you may notice that the lighting in your room is not up to par. Unfortunately, the lighting may be pretty much nonexistent.
If the lighting in the room is poor, that’s a red flag that the hotel is less than stellar. It could also mean that the room you’re reserving needs repair. Not only is poor lighting inconvenient, but it can also be a huge safety concern.
If you’ve already paid for the room, see if you can get the hotel staff to improve the lighting. Otherwise, you may be able to get a refund.
3. The Good Reviews Are Old
If the hotel you’re looking at has a plethora of great reviews. Yet, they are all at least one or two years old. If they’re old reviews, that’s a red flag.
Old reviews mean that the hotel is unlikely to have undergone any changes. Plus, it also means that the people posting the reviews haven’t stayed there in a while.
Before booking a hotel, check a variety of reviews. You can find reviews on sites like Google and Hotels.com. Finding the most recent reviews is the best way to ensure you read recent feedback.
Some sites may have excellent hotel reviews but don’t jump to book your stay. The hotel likely received good reviews and kept up with the maintenance on their end. But there could always be room for improvement.
4. The Staff Are Unhelpful and There’s a Lack of Customer Service
The hotel employees you contact during your stay should be friendly, welcoming, and eager to help you. If they are not, or if they seem uninterested in helping you in any way, that’s not a good sign.
Examples of red flags from employees include:
- A hotel staff member you speak to on the phone is not helpful.
- The employee is entirely uninterested in answering any of your questions.
- The person checking you into the hotel does not care about your comfort or stay.
- You don’t get a warm welcome from the hotel staff.
- The hotel staff acts disinterested in helping you.
If any or all of these things happen, you shouldn’t feel comfortable staying there. These are all red flags, and it’s best to avoid staying there in the future.
5. The Bathroom Is Unclean and Unkempt
The bathroom of the hotel you’re staying at should be clean and well-kept. If it’s not, it’s best not to stay there.
The toilet may be unclean, scummy, or has old, unkempt-looking fixtures. If the bathroom of the hotel you’re staying at is visibly dirty, forgo your stay. It would be best if you did not have to put up with a bathroom that is not up to par with your cleanliness standards.
Don’t Settle for Less
If you notice these red flags, you should not stay at a hotel. There’s no telling how long these problems have been present. And you also don’t know how long it will take for them to get resolved, if at all. You deserve to stay in a clean, well-kept, high-quality hotel. Do not settle for less.