- JJ Jones is the assistant general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn in Albuquerque.
- On the other hand, Santiago León is the manager of the elegant Chicago hotel The Robey.
- The two hospitality professionals have revealed the list of warning signs for hotels
Hotel managers have revealed the various warning signs to look out for when checking in, which are clear signs that you shouldn’t shell out money for a room.
JJ Jones is the assistant general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn in Uptown Albuquerque and Santiago Leon is the manager of the elegant Chicago hotel, The Robey.
These two hospitality professionals have over eight years of experience in hotels and can immediately spot a five-star stay.
Now, experts are sharing their warning signs with guests in an effort to help more people spend their money on worthwhile trips.
While talking to InsiderJJ and Santiago revealed how the parking lot, lobby, and other small details can tell you everything you need to know about a hotel.
Hotel managers have revealed the red flags to look out for when checking into a hotel, which are a clear sign not to shell out the cash (file image)
JJ first pointed out that you should check out the parking lot, adding that if it’s empty, you might want to pick a different spot.
“The entrance or parking lot will tell you if the hotel is busy. If you don’t see that the parking lot is full or that there are a lot of other people checking in, this may not be the right place to stay,” he told the outlet.
In addition to an empty parking lot, JJ said the lack of luggage carts is also a red flag.
He explained that this is a sign that the service is not as friendly or attentive as one would like.
“In the hospitality world, you welcome guests into your home and you have to treat them like they’re part of the family, which includes carrying their luggage to their room if they need help,” she added.
And luggage carts aren’t the only thing you need to look out for when checking in, Santiago chimed in to reveal that light bulbs can also tell you everything there is to know about a hotel.
‘A simple but telltale warning sign is when light bulbs don’t work in common areas.
“As minuscule as it may seem, I think it says a lot about how well maintained the hotel is, its budget, its management and attention to detail,” he told the outlet.
Now, experts are sharing their warning signs with guests in an effort to help more people spend their money on worthwhile stays (file image)
Aside from burned-out light bulbs, professionals advise paying close attention to entryways.
Hotel managers said if you saw dust on railings and tables, you should stay away.
And, if staff doesn’t ask to see a copy of your ID upon check-in, this could be a major security issue that should prompt you to choose a different hotel immediately.
Staff should also respond quickly to your messages even before you arrive at the hotel, the professionals said.
Lastly, hotel professionals said that the way your bed is made can even show you what kind of hospitality you will receive.
JJ told the outlet: “The way the bed is made can be a big red flag. If the bed was made sloppily with worn-looking pillows and sloppy sheets, this indicates that the maid did not clean the room to the best of her ability.”
He also said that sheets should be tucked into pants.