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The hotel industry is full of tiny little secrets that they don’t want you to know about when you come to stay overnight while traveling. They might not have literal skeletons in their closets, but the metaphorical ones can barely fit! We’re talking about insider knowledge about how often the duvets and covers on the beds get cleaned, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

Of course, there are some positive secrets as well, and ex-hotel employee Janessa Richard spilled the beans in a series of fun and candid TikTok videos. Keep in mind, though, Janessa noted that this is her personal experience working at just one hotel and we really shouldn’t assume that all hotels function this way. (Though most are sure to have their own shady secrets that nobody should know about.)

Check out some of Janessa’s best insights below, upvote the ones that you found useful and entertaining, and let us know what hotel secrets you’ve uncovered if you’ve ever worked in the industry, dear Pandas.

More info: TikTok | Instagram

@janessarichard

Spilling some 🍵 as an ex hotel employee! ##fyp ##pregnant ##pregnancy ##canadianmamas ##momlife ##toddlermom ##hotelsecrets

♬ Stuck in the Middle - Tai Verdes

Image credits: janessarichard

#1

10 Hotel Secrets Most People Don't Know About, Revealed By A Former Employee We are legally not allowed to say your room number out loud, which is why we will usually write it on an envelope, pass it to you and tell you "this is your room number".

janessarichard , Helloahappysa Report

#2

10 Hotel Secrets Most People Don't Know About, Revealed By A Former Employee If you are very nice and we like you, we can upgrade you to a better room or a suite at no extra cost, if there's any available.

Different hotel brands have different policies when it comes to upgrading their guests. The hotel I worked at didn't really care, as long as we had the availability we were allowed to.

I did have some guests who asked for free upgrades, if they were nice I'd give it to them, if they weren't I'd lie and tell them we didn't have any suites available.

janessarichard , AA Ireland Report

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Billy The Kid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is good but what if a new guest comes in and would like to pay for that upgrade room?

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California mom Janessa focuses on videos about hotels, as well as her motherhood journey. She has over 53k followers on TikTok and appears to highly value honesty both in her content and in how she engages with her fandom.

Running a hotel well isn’t as easy as washing the sheets between every customer and smiling at everybody all day long. In a previous interview, Dr. Gabor Forgacs from Ryerson University told Bored Panda about some other aspects of maintaining quality at hotels and how hoteliers can ensure that their businesses prosper.

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Dr. Forgacs noted that the main reason why guests return to hotels is simple: they had good memories of staying there. “Not necessarily a gold plated doorknob or the extra skirt hangers in the closet; best memories are created through interaction with people. If service excellence exceeds expectations, guests always remember that,” he told Bored Panda earlier.

#3

10 Hotel Secrets Most People Don't Know About, Revealed By A Former Employee If your breakfast is included in your stay but you're leaving before breakfast start time, you can always ask the staff if they can make a little "to-go" bag with a few items in it.

janessarichard , denverjeffrey Report

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.gas.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's essential! So many people don't realize this, and think that because they're leaving before breakfast "opens" that they're out of luck. Hotel staff that I've interacted with are happy to put in an apple, granola bar, etc. You're paying for it, anyway!

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#4

10 Hotel Secrets Most People Don't Know About, Revealed By A Former Employee Most hotels do not wash their duvets/comforters in between guests. They wash them maybe once a year which is really freaking gross.
So, the first thing you wanna do when you walk into your room - don't go lay down on your bed, take the duvet off!

janessarichard , Prem Sichanugrist Report

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.gas.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm surprised people don't know this. That's the very first thing I do when I visit a hotel. I also sanitize "high touch" surfaces like the TV remote, light switches, etc.

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Meanwhile, struggling businesses need to reinvent themselves and up their standards. But none of that can happen without some honest appraisal of where the hotel stands at the moment. “Languishing hotels need to take an honest look at themselves to understand the reasons why they can't create special memories,” he explained.

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#5

10 Hotel Secrets Most People Don't Know About, Revealed By A Former Employee Almost every standard room that you book comes with a water bottle and drinking glasses. I would not recommend drinking from those glasses as most of the time they're not changed in between guests as long as they look "clean".

janessarichard , Fitsimz Gucoartem Report

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Zena Marsh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I stayed in hotels, I always washed the glasses and cups before I used them.

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#6

10 Hotel Secrets Most People Don't Know About, Revealed By A Former Employee We ALWAYS recommend booking through the hotel directly. If you book through a 3rd party, your room and room type are not actually guaranteed.

janessarichard Report

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Daria B
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in Korea, there's many respectable 3rd party apps and sites for booking hotels at cheaper prices, and we've never had problems with it. You check-in, they confirm your identity, find you in their database and give you the keys. You may make extensions and pay extra for additional services you decided for on the spot.

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“Service culture is not built overnight; the way you hire, you train, and conduct yourself is crucial. Mistakes are made all the time; how you recover and show genuine care would make a difference,” Dr. Forgacs said.

#7

10 Hotel Secrets Most People Don't Know About, Revealed By A Former Employee Never EVER walk barefoot on the carpets. They are unbelievingly gross. They get vacuumed between guests but are rarely ever washed and deep cleaned.

janessarichard , Emily May Report

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MiriPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would not expect a hotel to wash or deep clean carpets in between every guest. That's what slippers are for.

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#8

10 Hotel Secrets Most People Don't Know About, Revealed By A Former Employee There are a lot of shady things that happen in hotels. We once had an "escort company" rent out a room and bring men in. We had to call the cops, things got crazy.

janessarichard , Pixabay Report

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E Menendez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I worked at a hotel (major chain) cleaning rooms we were told to mind our own business, even if we witnessed something illegal or drugs, etc. We were told the only exception is anything involving children or if someone asked for help.

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An extra ounce of care for your customers goes a long way. The more you genuinely care about them, the more likely they are to return. “Following up is a secret weapon. Comping, offering a discount or an upgrade for a mishap is what a typical hotel would do. The better ones will always follow up with the guest and on top of a remedy, tell their plan how the mistake will be prevented from happening again,” he said.

#9

10 Hotel Secrets Most People Don't Know About, Revealed By A Former Employee Some hotels have a "100% satisfaction guarantee" policy, which means if you find even one little thing that you're not satisfied with, and bring it up to the manager, they might be able to compensate your entire stay.

janessarichard , Rodrigo_SalomonHC Report

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.gas.
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This irks me. It's great for the angry guest, but such a policy keeps rates high, to "compensate" for people who do this. If you have a real issue, but all means, but if you couldn't find your favourite snack in the vending machine, that's not a refundable 'offense.'

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#10

10 Hotel Secrets Most People Don't Know About, Revealed By A Former Employee They do not change the toilet paper rolls in between guests. If there's paper left on the roll, they'll leave it and fold the end to make it look pretty.

janessarichard , Tony Webster Report

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kf_samandari avatar
.gas.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is this a problem? I guess there might be a freak who rubs it all over themselves, but every public bathroom does this.

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Russell Ellwardt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely understandable. Why should anyone expect a half-full roll of perfectly good toilet paper to be dumped.

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Nicola Dimigen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Changing the toilet paper when there is still some on the roll is a waste of paper.

vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In all the hotels i have worked housekeeping is taking the leftovers all the time and use them in other cleaning business or even take them home! They were allowed to take them

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Mike Loux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I honestly have zero problems with this. Throwing out an unfinished roll is just plain dumb.

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Mishte Tine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Public bathrooms in malls, restaurants, theaters, etc. don’t either, yet we use them constantly. This one doesn’t bother me. I’d just pull a few sheets off and throw them away before I used clean sheets beneath.

dirkdaring99 avatar
Dirk Daring
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This seems exceedingly picky. Are they supposed to throw the whole roll out between guests? If I have a party at my house, I don't give every one of my friends a personal toilet roll to use in my bathroom.

robert-townsend avatar
Billy The Kid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why change it? In work.... they are not going to change it every time someone uses the loo so why in the hotel?

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Myrkur
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay and? Restaurants, public restrooms, shops, cinemas etc. also don't change it between users. Would also be a huge waste to remove a roll that still has a lot of paper on it

dontlook avatar
Don't Look
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like she didn’t get any shock and awe off this one.

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Kristal
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please don't use the wor 'retarded'. It is an exclusive term that furthers negative stereotypes about people with disabilities. It can be hurtful whether it is directed towards a person with a disability or when used as a synonym for “dumb” or “stupid”. When used in this way it is equivalent to saying people with disabilities are stupid.

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Bart S
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, another bs. Whole 10 points are more-less bs. Depends where you stay.

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Julie C Rose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We’re repackaging waste prevention as a dirty secret? God I hate attention seekers.

v_r_tayloryahoo_com avatar
v
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No reason I can think of that they would change it and why it would be of concern or "gross" because they didn't.

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David Gripon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm only going to smear poop on it anyway. What could be worse?

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Joe Christea
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If this bothers you than you are being paranoid and you should just stay at home period.

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Tamika Love
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wondering if the ppl pretending to be mad at this bring their own tissue into punlic restrooms, dont lie and say you do.

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Liza Rachelle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once they were less than half we would replace. And we were allowed to take the half rolls home, 5 years of not buying TP.

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Oskar vanZandt
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have no issues with this practice... some toilets do not have seat covers, but if they do, I'd advise everyone reading this to close them before flushing (especially #2)- even at home- as fecal and other particles are released into the air when flushing and can contaminate every surface in a bathroom/washroom...

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Rae the lemon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s just like a public restroom and you wash your hands after anyways.

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Mayrene Chester
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

depending on how much of it is left. We're not bastards, we're not going to leave the guest with enough for one wipe.

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Michael McLaughlin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So what? Do you not ever use bathrooms out in the public arena? What when you visit your family members?!

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Lisa Gillen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had to be at LEAST 1/4 of a roll but why would we waste it???

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perfectly ok by me, toilet paper rolls are not changed in public restrooms between guests either

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Caroline Driver
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, good, wasting a toilet roll that's been used for just a few days is just...wasteful. It's not like someone unwound it, used the middle without tearing it off and rolled it back up again, is it?

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Sandra Givens
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Toilet splashes, just unroll a couple of feet of paper before you use it. Easy. Or locate the spare roll and use that.

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Paul Z.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not that there is used paper on the roll, so... 🤷🏻‍♂️

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Janet C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So? This is no different than a public toilet. Throwing away a partially used roll would be incredibly wasteful.

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tomruns12
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

DUH. Most hotel stays are for a few days . Who is going to throw away 90% of a roll after each customer. That's just stupid.

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Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't want them to waste a roll just so I could have a brand new one.

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Karoline Schneider
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If someone flushes the toilet with the lid open, splashes of dirty water and bacteria will fly onto the paper. So this is absolutely gross.

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Shane S
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don’t blow your nose with TP. That’s kind of a good rule of thumb anyway.

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Calypso poet
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course they don't change it. But I pack a roll of my own Charmin because even expensive hotels don't always have the nicest TP or tissues. Between my sinuses and IBS I spoil my nose and my butt☺️

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Katarina Leaf-Dobbs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW!! As a housekeeper we ALWAYS replaced the toilet paper as well as leaving extra rolls. The used soaps, shampoos, conditioners etc were always swapped out for fresh ones as well. Same with kitchenette condiments. Tea, coffee, sugar, hot chocolate, milk, juice and water.

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not true! I have never been in a hotel where the toilet paper was not full! I have also seen housekeeping taking the leftovers and using them in other cleaning jobs in the hotel!

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Brandi VanSteenwyk
Community Member
2 years ago

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I would want to be that good maid that chooses to present a neat, new roll to each guest. And in doing so, supply my household with the "ends" for their ends.

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YoyoSthlm
Community Member
2 years ago

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But... you'll see that that roll is smaller?

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Stevie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And that's a problem why? I am not wiping my ass with the roll so it doesn't matter how big it is

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