21 Surprising Things That Will Get You Kicked Out Of A Hotel
Whether you are staying at one of the oldest hotels in the country or a shiny new hotel abroad, there are going to be rules. And while hotels want you to be comfortable, they also have a duty to maintain the peace and safety of all their guests and their staff. So if your behavior is disruptive, destructive, illegal or unsafe, you may find yourself without a place to stay for the night. There are many things you can do that hotel staff will tolerate, but these are some of the surprising things that won't fly.
Letting in wild animals
Hotels are usually quite forgiving when it comes to accidental damage or things in your room breaking after being worn down from regular wear and tear. But if it's a wild animal coming in and destroying the hotel, then it's an issue. In fact, one Canadian man received a lifetime ban from a hotel after he left his room's window open, letting in a flock of 40 seagulls who destroyed his room to get to a suitcase full of pepperoni. If you are into animals, there are, however, plenty of trips you should consider taking.
Contaminating the pool area
Hotels take pool regulations seriously and it's all about safety. Doing anything that can contaminate the pool area is not allowed and can get you thrown out of the hotel. Smoking, gum chewing, food and outside alcoholic beverages are not allowed into the pool area.
Trying to scam the minibar
You might just be someone who wants to whip up their favorite cocktail after a long flight, but there are people who go out of their way to try to scam the minibar. This includes replacing whiskey bottles filled with tea or vodka bottles with water so it doesn't look like they've been used. Or, for the minibars with sensors, poking holes in bottles to drain them without moving them. Maybe skip the hotel entirely and head right to the best cocktail bar in your destination.
Screaming in the hallway
Getting a good night's sleep is really important for your health and there can be negative side effects if you don't. This means hotels want a nice atmosphere for guests. Many hotels have quiet hours and if you are not adhering to them, it can be a big issue — especially if you're making other guests uncomfortable.
Giving constructive criticism
Not checking the reviews of a hotel is one of the reservation mistakes you may be making and in the age of the internet, the hotel staff is accustomed to reviews on a variety of online platforms from both disgruntled and happy travelers. But it turns out professional reviews can still rub them the wrong way. Hotel inspector Paul Hackett told one British newspaper that sometimes after doling out feedback about his stay to management, he's been thrown out of the hotel.
Ruining the appliances
There are many hotel hacks that the appliances of a hotel may be useful for, but if you accidentally ruin one of these provided appliances, you'll not only be on the hook for paying to replace it, but you could also be asked to leave if your behavior is deemed excessively irresponsible or negligent.
Smuggling in an animal
While patrons with service animals cannot be denied lodging, many hotels are pet-free or charge fees for bringing your furry friend. But if you try to pull a fast one with your pet dog or cat, the front desk clerk can void your key before you even make it to your room or come knocking to kick you out and charge you a fine. Guests could also be allergic to some animals, which may cause problems. If you are staying in a pet-friendly hotel, here are the dog breeds that won't make you sneeze.
A barking dog
Even if you're staying at a pet-friendly hotel and your dog is super cute and popular, you and your four-legged friend could still get kicked out. Some establishments prohibit you from leaving your pets unattended. Even if they don't, consider hiring a pet sitter to watch or check on your dog. If they're barking and disturbing other guests, you could be asked to leave.
Wearing tight swim trunks
Appropriate swimwear is something that is required in the pool area. Swim trunks that are considered too tight or risque are sometimes seen as inappropriate by a hotel and can get you taken out of the pool area and hotel.
Violating a dress code
Plenty of high-end hotels have dress codes, and guests who aren't aware of them could end up out in the cold. For example, London's Connaught Hotel has a "smart casual" dress code and made headlines for booting flamboyant fashion designer Daniel Lismore from its dining area for not fitting in. So make sure you are keeping up with the dress code.
Attracting crazy fans
Plenty of touring or vacationing celebrities have gotten kicked out of hotels for bad behavior like trashing their rooms, but other stars have gotten kicked out because of their rabid fans. When fans of celebs such as Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj swarmed hotel lobbies, the artists were asked to leave because their presence posed a danger to other guests. However, if you are not one of those crazy fans, hotels are definitely a place where you are most likely to spot a celebrity.
Refusing to pose for paparazzi
Hotels are often beautiful and sometimes even among the most photogenic spots around, but that doesn't mean famous people always want their pictures taken in them. According to One Direction member Niall Horan, he and his bandmates were booted from a New York Trump hotel after staff refused them access to the garage so that they'd be forced to be photographed in front of the hotel. The group and their staff opted to find alternate lodging.
Being a prankster
Laughing and smiling are great for your health, but laughing and smiling at other people's expense might be bad for your accommodations. YouTube personality Vitaly Zdorovetskiy is known for his elaborate, viral prank videos, and when his five-star hotel in Boca Raton caught wind of who he was, the staff chose to escort him out rather than run the risk of being the site of his next prank.
Campaigning
Hotels are meant to be calm places for out-of-town travelers to rest after a day of meetings or activities. They also have to appeal to groups of every belief and affiliation. That's why many hotels stay neutral when it comes to politics. Many hotels have policies prohibiting political displays in and around their property — so candidates or campaigners staying in a hotel have to do their politicking elsewhere or risk being removed.
Smoking in a non-smoking room
Sneaking a cigarette in a non-smoking room might not seem like that bad of an offense, but it's actually a huge expense and inconvenience for the hotel. Other than being unhealthy and dangerous, this habit can affect other guests from secondhand smoke. Cigarette smoke can also invade the linens and cloth of the furniture. Hotel staff have little patience for those who break this rule, so they could kick you out if they catch you, on top of assessing a cleaning fee.
Disabling the smoke detector
Though the smell will give them away anyway, many people try to sneak a smoke by disabling the smoke detectors in their rooms or in the halls. But trying to disable it could actually set it off or notify the front desk or alarm company. Tampering with a smoke detector is a crime or finable offense in many states and will definitely also get you kicked out if you're caught doing it. Make sure you know the laws about smoking before disabling the smoke detector.
Threatening staff
Violence isn't the answer, especially when it comes to getting something you want at a hotel. Traveling is stressful, but whether you're staying at a one-star or five-star hotel, taking out your stress and frustration on staff by getting aggressive with them will end with them calling the police. Yelling, getting physical or threatening violence against employees or the hotel can get you kicked out with no refund or even arrested.
Throwing a party
Even if you've booked a massive suite, hotels aren't the ideal place to let loose and have people over for a party. Most hotels have quiet hours when guests are required to keep the volume at a respectable level. The rooms aren't soundproof, and if there are noise complaints from fellow guests, you will get the boot, perhaps after the police have been called to break things up. Even if you're keeping the volume down, hotel security cameras could show people congregating in your room.
Sneaking in extra guests
When traveling with family or friends, you may try to save some money by bunking together. As the number of people you disclose as staying in your room increases, so does the nightly rate. Trying to skirt extra costs or occupancy restrictions can get you in trouble. You're not only cheating them out of money but also posing a security and safety problem to them and the other guests. If you get caught, you can get charged a fine or kicked out.
Staying past your reservation
When considering where you should travel next, make sure not to overstay your welcome. Not only can you be kicked out of a hotel for hanging around past your stay, but you can also be arrested. Trying to stay in a hotel that you are no longer supposed to be in is considered trespassing.
Not being able to pay
Hotels nowadays typically only accept credit cards and charge the full amount of the stay upfront, except in the case of extended-stay guests, who get charged on a recurring basis. In rare cases is cash accepted. This can lead to surprising situations where a guest runs out of funds or reaches their credit maximum. Make sure to remember these rules if you're ever at one of the most spectacular hotels in the world.