As the days get longer and the temperatures begin to rise, many Americans have begun planning their summer trips. Travel is anticipated to increase this year even though inflation has been on the minds of many. A survey by Nationwide Travel Insurance reports that nearly all surveyed (91%) say they have plans to travel domestically in 2024, with four in 10 (40%) planning to travel more than they did in 2023.
There’s no doubt that many of these travel plans will include hotel reservations. Hotels can make or break a trip. Some lodgings boast Michelin star restaurants or are housed in architecturally significant buildings that wow even the savviest of travelers.
No matter the type of hotel – economy, luxury or boutique – there is a universal standard for what to expect during a hotel stay. Shabby hotels with surly or inefficient staffs and facilities in poor repair can definitely make your trip stand out in a bad way. (Don’t add insult to injury with an upsetting dining experience as well, here are 16 signs you’re eating in a bad restaurant.)
In any case, it’s useful to be aware of signs that you may have made a bad choice. To compile a list of 16 signs you’re in a bad hotel, 24/7 Tempo drew on numerous travel advice sites, review sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor, and the travel experience of editors.
Some of these signs are comparatively minor, and you might be able to overlook them. Others, like stains and smells, might affect your stay more negatively – and may even encourage you to pack up and get out, even if it costs you a night’s fees. (Interested in adding some history to your next trip? Here’s a list of the oldest hotel in every state.)
Here are 16 signs bad hotels don’t want you to notice:
Low price
Beware of hotels that are priced significantly lower than others in the area during the same time period. Sure, sometimes good hotels have promotional offers during slower seasons or offer special rates to military personnel, hotel chain loyalty members, and anyone belonging to AAA or AARP, but if the hotel’s rate seems too good to be true then it is likely is.
Old online reviews
Review sites like Yelp or Tripadvisor have become helpful tools when planning a trip. When researching where to stay, make sure to watch out for outdated reviews. What might once have been a pleasant place to pass a night or two may well have gone downhill.
Generic-looking online photos (or no photos of the bedrooms)
Does the hotel in question seem like their photo gallery is full of generic images grabbed from a google search? Or you’ll find plenty of shots of the exterior, the lobby, even the neighborhood, but little or nothing that shows what your room will look like. Chances are these images do not represent the true nature of the hotel.
Shoddy landscaping
Are the flowers outside wilted? Is the grass overgrown or under-watered? If a hotel is neglecting the landscaping outside, then it’s a pretty good indication that the hotel doesn’t pay attention to the details that can make a stay pleasant.
Shabby lobby
Are you met with dust all over surfaces or furniture that should have been thrown out decades ago? The lobby is the public face of a hotel, and if it’s not in good shape, you almost certainly don’t want to go upstairs.
Surly staff
The front desk is empty when you walk in; your questions are begrudgingly answered; they project an air of hating their job and watching the clock for quitting time…An inhospitable staff generally means that a hotel is badly managed. Not a good omen.
Stains on the bedspread or the floor
Instead of being in awe of your hotel room, you’re worried about the stains on your bedding or the carpet. If management doesn’t care enough to clean them up or replace the stained items (or maybe can’t afford to do so) what others details are they overlooking?
Smell of mold in the bathrooms
Mold shouldn’t be hanging out in your hotel’s bathroom. Not only does it give off an unpleasant odor, it’s a health hazard as well.
No bathroom amenities
Even the savviest of travelers can forget their shampoo or toothpaste at home. A lack of amenities shows that the hotel doesn’t give much thought about your stay.
No cable TV or streaming services
The TVs at some hotels will remind old-timers of the days where there were just eight or nine broadcast channels available when you switched on the set. No cable or streaming services means the hotel is saving money any way it can, and that will doubtless affect a lot of other features of your stay as well.
“Anti-theft” hangers
This one’s controversial, because a surprising number of upscale hotels use these hangers – the kind that replaces a conventional hook with a post and ball that fits into a ring permanently attached to the hanger rod. They’re extremely annoying to use, won’t let you hang a shirt in the bathroom to steam out, and furthermore imply that the hotel distrusts you and would expect you to walk off with an armful of regular hangers if you could. Not a very good look for a hotel.
Non-functioning or temperamental AC or heating
Waking up in the middle of the night because the air conditioner is so loud does not bode well for the next day’s adventure. A good hotel room should have the ability to be as warm or cool (within reason) as desired. Thermostats or window units that work shoddily should be replaced to ensure an optimal stay.
Non-functioning mini-bar or refrigerator
Some hotels choose not to offer guests a mini-bar. That’s fine, but if there’s one in the room, it should be working, and keep its ingredients cool. The same is true of the mini-refrigerator some places install in place of a mini-bar so that guests can chill their own beverages. It it’s unplugged or malfunctioning, it’s just a hot box instead of a cooler, so why is it even taking up space?
Lousy wi-fi
All of a sudden your wifi drops off or your browser slows to a crawl. The hotel you’re staying at obviously does not have the bandwidth required to accommodate their guests. What’s even more annoying is if you’ve had to pay a daily fee for wifi use.
No response from the front desk
You can’t seem to get through to the front desk and the staff hasn’t responded to any of your messages…If a good hotel is temporarily slammed, the staff will notice that you’ve called and call you back. At a bad hotel, forget it.
A rowdy crowd at the hotel bar
Modern hotel bars can get pretty lively. Some are popular with locals or double as a sports bar. It’s all fun and games until you find out your hotel room isn’t well insulated from the bar…A bad hotel will leave you feeling like you stayed the night in a frat house.