75 Hotel Hacks Everyone Should Know! (Genius Tips)

Are you searching for the BEST Hotel Hacks from Hotel Staff and Frequent Travelers? You just hit the jackpot!

Then save a bundle on your next trip when you try some of these clever tips for How to Travel for Free or Cheap!

Hotel Hacks

From genius Hotel Hacks to enhance your stay to brilliant hotel hacks for families, you’ll learn how to save big. While giving your next hotel stay a MAJOR upgrade!

Now I LOVE to travel. There’s something so fun about planning a vacation, preparing for your trip, and exploring a new location.

In addition to my hubby traveling all over Europe for business, our family has traveled extensively across the USA and Italy, too!

We actually even lived in a hotel for over a month once after selling our house and waiting for our new home to be finished. So, yes… we’ve had plenty of time to learn all the tricks! 🙂

Over the years, we’ve picked up all sorts of fun hotel room hacks to make your stay better, and I can’t wait to share these secret Hotel Tips and Tricks with you, too!

So are you ready to start dreaming of your next getaway?

For a cheap and INCREDIBLE stay, here’s everything you need to know BEFORE you book your next hotel…

Related: Eat Out Cheap Ideas for Your Next Vacation!

Notify the Front Desk of a Special Occasion Before Your Arrival

Another way to score a possible free upgrade is to notify the hotel staff of a special occasion you’ll be celebrating during your stay!

Whether it’s a honeymoon, birthday, anniversary, etc. – let the staff now, and you just may receive a free upgrade. Or a discounted deal, or special surprise in your room!

Always Request a Top Floor Room When Making a Reservation

Another simple trick is to request the top floor when making your reservation.

Your room will be SO much quieter if there is no one walking above you!

Ask if You Can Receive a Complimentary Room Upgrade When You Arrive

So how do you ask for a hotel upgrade?

When you arrive at your hotel to check in, it really pays to politely ask if your room could be upgraded for no extra charge.

You can mention that you are a frequent visitor to the hotel, that you are a member of their loyalty program, or again that you are staying at the hotel for a special occasion, like an anniversary, birthday, or graduation.

Scoring a free upgraded room may be no harder than simply asking politely!

For example, my hubby and I recently visited the Venetian in Las Vegas for our anniversary. When we arrived we let them know about our anniversary, kindly asked if there were any upgrades available, and were immediately upgraded to a larger suite that also had an INCREDIBLE view for no additional charge!

It never hurts to ask! 🙂

Related: How to Travel for Free or Cheap (20 Budget Travel Hacks)

Ask for a Room away from the Elevator, Stairs & Ice Machine.

Another way to ensure a quieter stay is by simply requesting a room away from the elevator, stairs, or ice machine.

Trust me… it’s a game changer!

Staying Awhile? Ask for Extended Stay Discounts!

If you need to stay at a hotel for an extended period of time, it really pays to speak to the manager about getting a discount.

Once when I was moving states, my family needed to stay at a hotel for over a month, while we waited to move into our new home.

The hotel manager not only very kindly gave us an amazing rate, but she also moved us into a one of a kind enormous room that made our stay so much more comfortable.

Keep Your Curtains Closed with your Closet’s Pants Hanger!

When you close the curtains at night, everything seems fine. That is until the morning, right?

Those gaps in the curtain can let that bright morning sunshine go straight into your room and wake you up.

No one wants their precious slumber and vacation rest disrupted, so that’s why this simple hack comes in so handy!

Simply remove a hanger from the hotel’s closet with the pants/skirt clips on it, turn it sideways, and use the clips to keep the curtains tightly closed. Or clothespins and binder clips can be packed in your suitcase to get the job done, too!

Stacey writes: “The clothes hanger for the curtain is definitely a game changer!!”

Always Pack Extra Hangers

If you’ll be staying for a while, or traveling with your family, don’t forget to pack some extra hangers in your suitcase!

When you arrive and pull out those wrinkly shirts from your suitcase. You’ll thank yourself for having plenty of hangers on hand!

Place a Car Vent Air Freshener on Your Room’s A/C or Heater Unit!

Have you ever walked into a hotel room and found that it could use a little air freshener?

Whether it’s from the previous guests, or just a little musty from humidity, this simple little trick works like a charm!

Pack a vent clip in your luggage, and when you arrive at your room, just clip it onto the air conditioner or heating unit. Turn the A/C, fan or heat on, and enjoy the fresh scent wafting through the air!

Cover Bright Lights on the TV & Microwave with Electrical or Painter’s Tape

If you like your room extra dark when you sleep, pack a little painter’s tape or electrical tape in your suitcase.

Next, cover up bright lights like the time on the microwave, the lights on the tv and/or the bedside alarm clock.

You’ll be surprised at how much darker your room will be!

Make Your Room Extra Dark & Quiet With a Rolled Up Towel!

Do you want to know my favorite trick for making the room even darker, and muffling hallway noise?

Take an extra bath towel from the bathroom. Or request one from housekeeping. Roll it up, and place it along the crack of the door near the floor.

This simple trick will help prevent light coming in under the door’s crack, and will also muffle the noice from any noisy guests in the hall that might wake you up.

Don’t forget to pack some earplugs and a sleep mask, too. Just in case!

Use Your Room’s Coffee Maker to Make Instant Meals!

Fueling up with inexpensive snacks in your hotel room is such a simple way to save money!

If you find yourself without easy access to hot water and a microwave, simply put your in-room coffee maker to use! You can run water through your coffee maker to make instant meals like Ramen, Oatmeal, and more!

Talk about EASY, right?

Always Stay at Hotels With Free Parking, Free Wi-Fi, & Free Breakfast!

Another great way to save BIG is to avoid hotels with ‘Resort Fees’.

Instead, opt for hotels with Free Parking, Free Wi-Fi, and Free Breakfast instead!

You won’t believe how much this one simple thing will save on the overall bill!

Bring Extra Treats Back to Your Room from the Free Breakfast for a Late Night Snack

What’s worse than a late night snack attack on vacation?

Well… not having any food in your room, of course! When you’re filling up on your hotel’s Free Breakfast, take an extra pastry or muffin, wrap it in a napkin, and leave it in your room while you’re gone for the day.

Then when those munchies hit after a long day of exploring you’ll have a tasty little treat waiting for you!

Cover Your Germy Remote with Your Bathroom’s Shower Cap

If you don’t plan on using the hotel room shower cap in the shower, you can still put it to use.

How about using it as a cover for that germy TV remote?

It works like a charm!

Or Use the Shower Cap to Cover Your Shoes When You Pack Up to Leave!

Or… as an alternative, you can use it to pack your shoes before placing them back in your suitcase.

It’s such an easy way to keep that dirt and grime from touching your clothes!

Related: Keep Shoes From Smelling (6 Easy Tricks)

Keep Your Toothbrush Off the Countertops With a DIY Toothbrush Holder!

Want to keep your toothbrush from touching the counter and picking up extra germs?

Put one of those hotel room paper cups to use!

Flip the cup upside down, poke a hole in the bottom. Now you’ve got a DIY hotel room toothbrush holder!

How easy was that?!?

Then Use Another Cup as your Makeup Brush Holder

Speaking of keeping things off the counter, another simple trick is to use a paper or glass cup as your makeup brush holder!

Use Your Shower as a Clothes Steamer to Remove Wrinkles

Did some of your clothes get wrinkled in your suitcase? Or are you not in the mood to iron on your vacation?

Before you hop in the shower, hang some around the bathroom. Then while you shower, the hot steam from the shower will help loosen up those wrinkles!

You just may be able to skip ironing all together!

Save Your Quarters, and Wash Laundry in Your Hotel Room Sink!

Another way to save on your hotel stay is to do your own laundry in your hotel’s bathroom.

I’ve done this so many times!

Make sure to pack a Travel Clothesline to hang your wet clothes over the tub, and a Sink Stopper to plug the bathroom’s sink. Just in case there isn’t one.

Related: How to Clean White Shoes

Look For Rooms that have Air Conditioning, a Mini Fridge & Microwave

In addition to a comfortable bed, you also want a room with air conditioning, microwave and mini fridge.

Us frugal girls want to sleep without overheating, and to enjoy an inexpensive lunch/snack by using our in-room microwave and mini fridge!

Take a Cooler & Use Free Hotel Ice If There is No Mini Fridge in the Room.

If your hotel doesn’t offer rooms with a mini fridge, simply bring a cooler from home instead.

You can use the free ice from the ice machines down the hall to keep your food cool.

Extras at a hotel can really add up.

So avoid having to pay for expensive food at the hotel restaurant or convenience store when you bring a cooler from home!

Take Advantage of Free Filtered Water!

Rather than paying wild prices for water bottles, take advantage of free water bottles from the front desk or free filtered water in your hotel’s gym.

On road trips, if our hotel doesn’t offer free coffee, we pack mugs from home and instant coffee. Then fill up with hot filtered water at our hotel’s gym to save BIG on coffee, too!

If you received free water bottles when you checked in, you can even ask for free water bottles when you check out.

We’ve been given extra waters on our way out.

It never hurts to ask!

Skip the Starbucks, and Grab a FREE Coffee On The Way Out!

Does your hotel provide complimentary coffee?

Don’t just take advantage of it at breakfast. Grab another one on the way out to fuel up before your day.

It will save you the cost and time of swinging by a Starbucks!

Did You Forget to Pack Something? Ask the Front Desk for a FREE Sample!

Depending on what it is, you may be able to receive a free sample size of something you forgot to pack.

For example, many hotels offer free razors, toothbrushes, shaving cream, toothpaste packets, sewing kits, and more just for asking.

Leave the Do Not Disturb Sign Out on Your Door Handle

Want to protect your belongings while you’re away for the day?

Simply leave the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign out on your door handle.

It will give the impression that you’re still inside to help avoid people entering when you’re gone.

Sign Up for Your Hotel’s Loyalty Program Before You Book Your Stay

Before you book that stay, make sure to check and see if the hotel’s brand has any type of loyalty or rewards program. If so, sign up, and provide your loyalty rewards # when making your reservation.

This will ensure you get credit for your stay. I’ve regularly accrue free hotel nights from rewards programs.

To maximize your rewards even more, try to stay with the same hotel brand more often. Every stay adds up!

Esther writes: “Choose a hotel chain, join their points program and stick to that chain whenever possible. I travel often so I participate in both Hilton and Mariott programs but mainly use Hilton. I typically pick the Tru By Hilton hotels because they are newer and they do not have carpeted rooms. MUCH CLEANER FEEL.”

Stay at Hotels that Are New (or Renovated in Past 7 Years)

When it comes to hotels, new is always better!!!

When a hotel gets older, the mattresses frequently start to give out, the carpet becomes stained and dirty, the air conditioning is very dusty, and the bathrooms are simply… yikes!

I recommend calling any hotel you are considering staying at. Politely ask when the hotel was built and when it was last remodeled.

My general rule is to never stay at a hotel that has not been remodeled within the past 7 years.

Ask for the AAA Discount

So what does AAA mean when booking a hotel? It means scoring one of the very best discounts available at nearly every hotel I have ever booked!

The fact is I rarely use AAA for roadside assistance, but that hasn’t stopped me from loving my AAA membership.

The reason I’ve been a AAA member for so long is simply because I save so much money receiving discounted hotel rates every year.

Or Get a Military Discount!

There are so many discounts available if you or a member of your family have served or currently serve in the military.  So make sure you take advantage of any hotel discounts available.

So are you wondering how much does military discount take off hotel?

A military discount will frequently save you between 10 – 50% off your hotel stay!!

Related: 101 Military Discounts!

Ask For a Late Checkout to Maximize Your Stay

Politely asking for a complimentary late checkout is really smart.

Not only does a late checkout make your whole day less hectic, but it can also allow you to sleep in and enjoy more time at the hotel pool!

To increase your chances of receiving a late checkout, make sure to sign up for the hotels loyalty program. You can also mention if you have a hotel branded credit card.

If Your Hotel Doesn’t Require You to Return It… Cut Up Your Room Key Card After Checking Out

Did you know your room card can have information related to your stay on it… including your credit card info?

As a safe practice and for extra peace of mind, I always cut up my card after I check out.

It’s better safe than sorry!

More Hotel Hacks Everyone Should Know

Jamie writes: “Get a credit card that offers points or cash for travel. Use that card to pay monthly bills and then pay it off before interest is charged. Use those points to get free hotel stays.”

Melissa writes: “I used to manage front desk at hotels.  Ask for a quiet room away from stairwells, vending machines, common rooms, elevators. Also, specify non smoking- some hotels allow smoking in some rooms and will rent them out to non smokers if you don’t specify. Cheaper— online bookings are often cheaper BUT… call the hotel and ask for rates before booking. “I’m looking at booking thru Expedia, but I’d like to know if you can meet or beat that price.” Use your AAA/CAA memberships. Ask front desk about loyalty programs. Ask for extended stay rates if staying past a few days.”

Rosanna writes: “Travel Sunday through Thursday, and take advantage of low season and shoulder seasons (in between peak and off season).”

Audra writes: “Go on tripadvisor.com to figure out what the cheapest price on there is. Then call the actual hotel and see if their in-house rate is cheaper or not. The hotel I work at sometimes has higher rates than the third party, and sometimes has lower rates than a third party and it will be a difference of like $40 a night. Always look around because TripAdvisor brings several different companies to you competing for your business for the exact same room and I can make a huge difference monetarily.”

Kim writes: “If staying at a hotel with free breakfast, I also grab extra fruit and bread.  Most have small peanut butter (and jelly) packages for lunch.  Also bottled water from the buffet.”

Sandy writes: “Ask for a room away from the parking lot and the pool.”

Rachel writes: “May not always make for the “cheapest” hotel room. But I like to have a kitchen on trips. One I have food allergies. Two it saves a TON to cook your food on trips! Trust me. Did it on my last vacation hardly spent anything on meals.”

Margie writes: “I take my own pillows; and I know people who take their own sheets. Lol.”

Laura writes: “Bring lots of food, get a hotel with a mini fridge and microwave, pick a hotel that has breakfast included, and choose free parking hotels.”

Shelly writes: “Bring your own pillows, epsom salts, and bubble bath!”

Gem writes: “I take a little bottle of lavender essential oil. Always ask for a room with a bathtub. A lovely lavender bath will relax you and make the room smell amazing while taking up very little room in your bag.”

Teresa writes: “The more meals you can “fix” vs eating out the more you save.  A family of 4 breakfast could easily be $50, instead grab a box of cereal, disposable bowls, spoons and a quart of milk for a $10 breakfast. Have a cooler and pack it full of lunch options on ice… we stop at rest stops or parks and make our own lunch. Then we normally splurge on dinner.”

Jill writes: “Request quietest room possible, not facing a busy street and away from the outdoor a/c system-they are loud!”

Julie writes: “I bring Lysol wipes, pillow cases from home, and an extra blanket from home.”

Rhonda writes: “I take a can of Lysol, spray bedding. Etc. Take my own travel coffee pot and coffee so I can have all I want in my room. Sometimes take an ice chest with drinks and snacks.”

Rebecca writes: “Get the cheapest view. When I’m on vacation I want to be IN the view not looking out a window.”

Laura writes: “Always ask for top floor – it’s so much quieter. We bring a box fan and our pillows, too.”

Cynthia writes: “Book in advance and search Groupon first to find the best deals.”

Cindy writes: “Get the hotel’s free continental breakfast. Carry cases of water in the car trunk. Pack lunches and snacks. Only eat out once per day….and when the kids were little we looked for places kids ate free.”

Suzy writes: “Set up your ironing board… cover it with a bath towel and use it as an extra table.”

Jenni writes: “Travel midweek. Check multiple sites for the best deal. (Sometimes directly through the hotel; sometimes through a travel site). Bring your own pillow if you can. Always opt for a place with laundry facilities and an indoor pool if possible (bad weather, etc). A mini fridge and microwave are a plus! Bring a small fan, air freshener, or candles. Also bring a portable roku or similar item to watch your stuff on the TV.”

Sue writes: “Take snacks, can Drinks and only stay where there is buffet breakfast and treat yourself to dinner.”

Jenni writes: “Travel midweek. Check multiple sites for the best deal. (Sometimes directly through the hotel; sometimes through a travel site). Bring your own pillow if you can. Always opt for a place with laundry facilities and an indoor pool if possible (bad weather, etc). A mini fridge and microwave are a plus! Bring a small fan, air freshener, or candles. Also bring a portable roku or similar item to watch your stuff on the tv”

Erin writes: “I bring my own water, snacks & breakfast items to put in the little fridge. At check in, I ask for complimentary room upgrades and late checkout time. I also check if the hotel has a points system for free rooms/stays for further vacations.”

Jennifer writes: “I have a portable kettle. I get instant coffee (not my fav but it’s better than none) and bring along foods I can make with just hot water like oatmeal, ramen, soup, etc so we can snack in the room. Saves money on snacks and no waiting in line for expensive coffee! I bring those disposable travel coffee cups.”

Orry writes: “I bring my own pillow, night light and clorox wipes. Go off season, ask for any discounts they honor.”

Krista writes: “I like a room that has a kitchenette in it so I can bring some of my own food. Then I don’t have to eat out as much.”

Lori writes: “We bring snacks and beverages and some meals with us, and have simple breakfasts: cereal, oatmeal, muffins, fruit, etc. Have Crock pot soups and sandwiches for lunches.”

Renee writes: “Read all reviews before booking, I take a couple of plug in air fresheners, travel size Clorox wipes, I never walk around barefoot or even in socks. I take flip flops for the room.”

Danielle writes: “We stay at hotels that provide breakfast. We take fruit, bread and sandwich fixings, and snacks for daily outings.”

Tori writes: “We joined a membership club (Choice Privileges) that we can earn points for free stays. When traveling as a family (we have 5 kids) we would stay at hotels that included a free hot breakfast. That alone would save us $35 – $100 depending on where we were. When we would visit my son in college at the University of Chicago, we would stay a little further out (20 minutes away) and that would cut the room rate in half. Stay at a hotel that has a pool and use that as one evening’s entertainment.”

Cindy writes: “We shop for snacks, beverages and sandwich items before we leave town. We stay in hotels that serve a free continental breakfast so we only eat out once a day.”

Sally writes: “I have a fan app on my phone for white noise. No more bringing a fan.”

Elecia writes: “We take our own drinks, snacks and lunches.  Stay in hotels that offer breakfast.  Find fun free things to do near the hotel.  Use Groupon to find discounts to attractions and shows.  And always enjoy the hiking trails, parks, and gardens!!!”

Kristin writes: “I ALWAYS bring my own towels and wash cloths.”

Crystal writes: “Use rollaway cots in hotels. Pay a small fee to bring your dog so you don’t have to pay a dog sitter!”

Krista writes: “If we are in a hotel, we get one that comes with breakfast and we also get food to have a picnic with. We also buy some food to keep at the hotel for snacks. If there is no fridge, we always bring our cooler and use their ice. We also look for coupons or deals at their grocery store and around town for any food places or nearby activities.”

Angela writes: “Send for travel guides from the state or area you are visiting.  Most times there are coupons or special deals included. If you’re staying at a hotel and going to a local attraction, ask if the hotel has a special deal for both. We always take breakfast and snacks with us and ask for a fridge in the room.”

Kimberly writes: “Travel in the middle of the week, during the off season.”

Letha writes: “Stay where breakfast is included, have a light lunch and modest dinner… carry an ice chest for drinks and snacks.”

And finally… Trena writes: “I get to stay in Hilton hotels for half price due to family employee discounts! :)”

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So what are your favorite Hotel Hacks or Best Hotel Tips & Tricks?

Leave a comment & share!