This question really got under my skin (pun intended).
So, what do you consider clean? I think we need to start there. Because one person's definition of clean can vary SIGNIFICANTLY compared to another's. Having worked in a few hotels and been educated in hospitality management, I believe that 'clean' is relative.
Where are you staying? Are you in a 2-star motel or a 5-star hotel? Is there a cleaning staff or a cleaning lady? Did you check in with one of the 3 front desk people or did Bill make his way in from the attached 1 bedroom apartment? Whatever the situation, I think we can safely say that there should be minimum standards that apply to all venues.
Manage Your Expectations
Let's say you wander into a 2-star establishment, for instance. You are normally paying less, and thus you should expect less when it comes to service. However, there are some things that are just unacceptable. These things include dirty sheets, fresh stains, weird smells, and bugs. I would not consider that clean in ANY circumstance!
Alternatively, in a 5-star hotel, you should expect perfection. If you do not get it, do not hesitate to contact the front desk to make a request or even a room change. They are there to serve you. And, being in the service industry, they should be performing at a very high level. This is especially relevant in today's world of online reviews.
Ultimately, you are usually going to get what you pay for. So when it comes to a clean room in a nice hotel, the devils in the details. You’ll have to inspect it. If you really about this issue, you will do the following.
As you walk in, you should automatically take a big whiff. It shouldn’t smell weird. If you mistake it for a high school football locker room, leave immediately. Now, it doesn't necessarily have to smell like roses, but we should be practical here. No offensive order should be acceptable. Let's consider that a minimum expectation.
Go straight to the bathroom. If it's a suite, the kitchen is also as important. The bathroom is usually white, so it should be relatively easy to glance through. If not, you’ll have to look harder. The shower and toilet are the most important. Look behind and on the side. You’re looking for debris and human hair. For the shower, go right to the drain. These areas should be debris-free and the walls should look clean (washed).
The kitchen should look similar to when you move into a new apartment. It shouldn't remind you of an apartment in the sketchy part of town. The refrigerator should have no food particles in it and shouldn't smell like last nights pizza. Countertops should not have stains and should not be wet.
From there, go to the bed. Inspect the sheets. I mean really get in there and smell them! Check the pillow, not just the case. If it has stains on it, get it replaced immediately. PRO TIP: They don’t usually wash pillows! Make sure the sheets were changed. They should not contain any human hair or worse.
Next, check the area around the bed. This includes checking under and around the mattress. You’re looking for unwanted roommates (bugs). While down there, you can you also see if the carpet was vacuumed. You should not see any sand, dirt or scraps
Lastly, go to any other unchecked places. You’re checking for dust in the air-conditioner filter, paintings, and lamps. These things can lead to allergy attacks.
Most inspections should not result in a room change. But I'll say it again; that depends on where you booked your reservation. Ultimately, check the things that matter to you personally. Hotels appreciate understanding guests, but that doesn't mean you should let them off the hook for missing important steps in the cleaning process.
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