The One Thing Hotel Managers Notice Right Away (And How It Can Score You a Perk)
- Being kind to hotel staff can lead to receiving perks such as room upgrades, complimentary drinks, and late checkouts.
The One Thing Hotel Managers Notice Right Away (And How It Can Score You a Perk) originally appeared on Parade .
Staying at hotels can be a great way to escape from the rigors of everyday life. From housekeeping making your bed, tidying up your room and keeping the room fresh to picking up the phone to call room service or heading down to the lobby for a quick coffee–it's a hands-off experience that most people relish in.
I've stayed in my fair share of hotels—from traveling on a Broadway tour where I lived in hotel rooms for the better part of a year to solo traveling around the world as a freelance writer. One thing I've noticed when staying in hotels is that I tend to get a lot of perks from hotel staff. Now, I'm not saying this to brag (okay, maybe a little!), but I've never truly known why. I've received perks like Champagne getting sent to my room after check-in, randomly receiving an offer for late checkout to getting a complimentary drink or two at the hotel bar.
I know that I'm not the only one who experiences perks at hotels. I've seen other guests get special treatment as well, and my curious mind has always wondered what makes hotel staff want to go out of their way for certain people. I didn't know why until I came across a TikTok video from a hotel worker that explained it all.
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How Being Kind To Hotel Staff Can Get You Perks
TikTok user @elliottboals has been in the hotel industry for five years. In a video she recently posted she shared five things that she learned from working in the hotels herself. One of the tips particularly stood out to me—she shared that being nice can get you far with hotel staff. She explains that when she worked in reservations, if someone was very nice while booking their room, she would automatically give them an upgrade. If an upgrade wasn't available, she would send them something to their room instead.
Elliott continues to explain that the staff at the hotel holds all of the power, and they can make your vacation much better if you connect with them. Ultimately, if you go out of your way to be kind to the staff, they will go out of their way to do the same in return. If you think about it, the hotel staff is working day in and day out in customer service–and many people can be unkind, unruly and cause issues day to day. When they finally receive a guest who is pleasant, they're going to feel extremely grateful for that and many times will share that gratitude with the guest.
Putting The Kindness Tip Into Practice
After I saw this TikTok, it immediately clicked with me about why I very often receive extra perks from hotel staff. I grew up traveling a ton with my family, and one thing I've noticed is that my dad always takes note of the staff's name on their name tags, and he always greets them or thanks them using their name. That small act can make someone feel seen and appreciated, and I've adopted the same practice.
Whenever I re-enter or leave the hotel, I always say hello to the staff working the desk and acknowledge any other staff who are around. If I'm not in a rush, I'll stop to ask how their day is or ask them questions about the area that I'm staying in. Making a kind connection with the staff will allow them to get to know you and you to know them. This creates a more personal relationship, and they'll be more likely to go out of their way to help you if you need it. If you want to take this tip even further, I recommend tipping the housekeeping staff daily during your stay. Just five to 10 dollars a day can be a kind gesture, and it lets the housekeeping staff know that you're happy with the work that they're doing in your room.
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Free drink I received at a hotel in Amsterdam
I recently visited a hotel in Amsterdam—I'd never been to the city and was traveling alone, so I made it a point to connect with the staff. By simply addressing them by name, chatting with them in a personal manner and tipping housekeeping, I received a few perks. I'd asked the staff about the rooftop bar at the hotel, and they suggested the best time to go. When I went, the hotel bar manager approached me and greeted me by name. She let me know that my first drink was on them and kindly chatted with me about my stay at the hotel. Before my final night, the staff let me know that if I needed a late checkout, they'd be more than happy to accommodate that for me. Not only does being kind make others feel good, but it can also land you some great perks!
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The One Thing Hotel Managers Notice Right Away (And How It Can Score You a Perk) first appeared on Parade on Jun 26, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
