I just realized I didn’t post Friday. It was that kind of week. I don’t think I’ve ever had a cold/sore throat/chest crud this bad and, much to my dismay, I’ve shared with the Short Kid. To recap, I gained .2 last week, which was better than I anticipated since I’ve not only been reintroducing foods as I recover, but I’ve been testing my limits pre-RWA conference. More on that Friday. (A month of not being able to eat certain things seems to have been long enough to break the habit of wanting certain things.)
Big cover reveal of All He Ever Needed coming up very, very soon! I’ll post a link when it goes live. I hope y’all love it as much as I do.
Most of you know we’re leaving for Anaheim in two weeks. This has caused a lot of anxiety. We don’t really know how to navigate airports or how to fly. But after the Short Kid asked if we can leave our pajamas at the foot of the beds or if we have to pack everything up for the cleaning service every day, we realized we don’t even know how to stay at a hotel.
We know how to stay overnight at a cheap motel. That’s not a problem. But a week at a really nice hotel? No idea. Are you allowed to say “Just restock the coffee, but leave the family-of-four debris alone?” I’m totally stumped.
For goodness sake, my family doesn’t even know how to stay in a hotel room. This vacation will either be the most awesome thing we ever do, or a disaster of epic proportion.
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I think almost anything goes at a hotel. We try to put stuff away to make it easier for them to make the beds (because we want the bed made) and to keep the honest staff honest (nothing you can do about the crooked staff, but, honestly, we’ve never encountered any crooked staff).
If you don’t want anyone in your room, you can leave the Do Not Disturb sign on your door all day. If you happen to be around and see housekeeping staff in the hall, explain you’d prefer for your room to be left alone, but could we please have some more coffee, shampoo, soap, towels, etc., and they’ll hook you up. If you miss the housekeeping staff during the day, ask at the front desk.
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Do you tip every day or leave a big tip at the end of your stay?
I’m so out of my depth with this. And considering the electronics we’ll be toting for travel, but not while running amok playing tourist, maybe I should get a lock for my suitcase.
*sigh*
So much to think about!
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I was taught to tip housekeeping every day. And leave a note next to it that says “thanks” so they know the money is intended for them.
Also, most hotels have a safe in each room that you can use to lock up your electronics & valuables, which I’d definitely recommend doing.
Don’t panic. I can’t imagine there’s anything you or your family will do that’d surprise them. Hotel staff–even fancy schmancy ones–have seen and heard EVERYTHING!
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My sister says tip every day because you might have different housekeepers on different days.
The idea of a locked suitcase isn’t a bad one although I can’t say I’ve ever had problems with dishonest staff. But you really don’t want to be the one who does!
As for tidyness, maybe make sure each person has a luggage rack, and just have everyone throw their stuff in or on their suitcase before leaving the room in the mornings? But I’m pretty sure I’ve left my pajamas on the bed before and when I came back the bed was made and the pajamas were back on the bed. Can’t remember if they were folded or not…
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Another vote to leave a tip everyday for all the reasons above–may have a different person over length of stay, and just nicer for them to have something each day and then selfishly, because I think it also helps you to get better service each day! A half-full small bottle of complimentary shampoo doesn’t get thrown away, but I think staff is more likely to think–this may run out before I come back tomorrow. I’ll give her an extra one right now :).
I tend to put my stuff away because I do that anyway. But they will fold items for you that are left in the open, or hang them up. And yes, I always use the safe when the room has one.
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The last few hotels we’ve stayed in have had signs that they’ll only change the sheets every three days unless you want them changed more often. This to save energy with washing, etc. They give instructions on that, but they still come in every day to clean the bathroom. We leave everything on chairs and tables and never have anything touched. We are slobs.
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Ditto to tipping daily. Also, don’t be afriad to ask for extra towels, washclothes, etc.
Rather they just come in to make the bed, empty the trashcans, and refresh the towel supply is up to you, but I always view that as one of the perks of staying in a hotel. I am fine with them not changing the sheets every day.
Just make sure the kids stay out of the mini-bar. Many places now have the sensor ones where if you pick up a can/jar/packet and don’t put it right back you get charged. Surely there’s a store nearby where you can buy snacks for much cheaper.
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I’d hate to get a charged a gazillion dollars because the teen got bored and was reading nutrition labels, LOL.
Thanks, everybody! It’s so helpful to know things work. I panic if I don’t know. OHMIGAWD, I DON’T KNOW HOW TO STAY IN A HOTEL! MUPPET FLAIL!
I try to be better at the “we’ll play it by ear as we go along” thing my husband’s so good at, but I just can’t.
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If you make a diet coke & mentos volcano, tip double that day.
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Oh my dear god, Lorelie, you slay me (and that’s awesome)
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Hey Shannon – most of the nicer hotels have hotel safes in room and you can leave your electronics in there. I usually did that and left my wallet in there also, only taking my bank card/credit card/ driver’s license and some cash with me in my RWA neck hanger thing (they had one a few years ago that had a zip pocket so that worked well).
As for the debris, when you have four women sharing a room that are all doing varying amounts of promotion etc at RWA there is debris everywhere. Housekeeping usually just tidies up around it, makes the bed, refreshes whatever and gets out. I’m sure you will be fine. I’m so sad to miss you this year (when you’re finally going and I’m not) – I hope you have a great time!