I received many replies when I ran threads asking what people want and do not want in hotel and motel rooms, but not mentioned were toiletries and hair dryers. Are toiletries and a hair dryer important to you? Can you add anything to the following wants?

Cleanliness.
 Clean carpets and bedspreads were mentioned most often.

Quiet
 Absence of noise from an ice-making machine and people in hallways and adjacent rooms were mentioned most often.
 Absence of noise from an air conditioner, heater, elevator, and slamming hallway doors.

Bedding
 Comfortable beds and pillows.
 A fitted rather than flat bottom sheet
 Triple sheeting (one covering the blankets).
 Extra blankets and pillows.
 A pillow-top mattress

Television
 A TV with a “sleep” function and that does not turn on unexpectedly at night.
 Accurate information about available TV channels.
 A TV that that can be viewed from all places in the room.

Windows
 Windows that open.
 Drapes that black out all light.
 Sheer curtains that let in light while providing privacy.
 Drapes and curtains properly attached to hardware.
 A window that does not face a pedestrian walkway or, on the ground level, a parking lot.
 A window that provides a view

Lighting
 Two lights over the bed or one light over each bed.
 Lights bright enough for reading.
 Lights on dimmers.

Furnishings
 Ample flat surfaces for suitcases, hand bags, and so on.
 A nightstand with plenty of space for personal effects.
 A clock that does not ring unexpectedly at night.
 Two comfortable chairs.
 A table or desk at which two people can sit for writing or dining.
 A closet with a door that can be closed or that is located out of view of the main living area.
 A mini-refrigerator that is devoid of snacks for sale.
 A local telephone book.
 A microwave oven.
 A coffee maker (with coffee and tea bags).
 An iron and ironing board.
 A wet bar.
 Wine glasses.

Bathroom
 A bathroom with a large area for placing toiletries.
 Sufficient towels or wash cloths for all those registered in a room.
 A quiet, effective exhaust system by the toilet.
 A convenient place for soap and shampoo while showering.
 A nightlight.
 A make-up mirror.
 A washbowl and mirror located outside the bath and toilet area (others didn’t want this feature because they don’t want to be disturbed by somebody grooming while they try to sleep in).

Other
 A conveniently located ice machine.
 A pool for the kids.
 A light breakfast included.
 A morning newspaper

Unwanted
 An unpleasant odor.
 A “credit card” room key programmed for fewer days than booked.
 A smoke alarm that goes off at night because the battery is low.
 A remote control that doesn’t work.
 A lumpy pillow.
 A flat bottom sheet that does not stay tucked in through the night.
 A TV that that is locked in place or that can’t be viewed from all places in the room.
 Up-scale hotels that provide fewer TV channels than popular chain motels.
 Hangers with no hooks.
 A room that is too warm despite available in-room controls.

Not Wanted in the Bathroom
 Low water pressure in the shower.
 A slow draining tub or shower.
 A thick shower curtain that blocks light, making the shower dark.
 Mold in the shower grout.
 A mildewed shower curtain.
 A mirror that fogs up.
 A shower head that is too low.

How many more of these inane threads are you going to start, lovingheart??? You must have five going at one time, all of them saying the exact same things.

Hi Mike, I hope this is the last one, but who knows--I keep getting really good ideas from people like you. Do you have anything to add to the list? Lovingheart

I too have been wondering how many of these there will be. Don't tell me I could skip over it if I want to, I know that. But now my curiosity is aroused. Are you opening a hotel chain? Are you researching for a major travel magazine? This constant repetition is beginning to look like an obsession. I'm not complaining, just really curious.

And for the record, all those toiletries taking up most of the counter space could be left off as far as I'm concerned. I prefer my own shampoo, thank you, not something that's going to make me smell like a bouquet of lilacs all day.

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for your contribution, and for your interest in my motivation.

I spend 100-120 nights a year in hotel and motel rooms and I'm trying to figure out why those who run hotels and motels don't always provide things travelers want and that can be provided at little or not additional cost--such as sheets that stay tucked it and showers free of mold and mildew.

While staying at a Holiday Inn in Oaxaca, Mexico, recently the bed was made up in a unique way. There was a gusset in the sheets across the bottom of the bed so that when I put my six-foot frame between the sheets there was plenty of room for my big feet. I appreciated this detail which I had never seen before.

This sort of thing interests me, and I use some of these ideas to make the guest room in my home as inviting as possible.

Also, I plan to take copies of this list with me on my next trip and give it to managers of hostelries who don't seem to know what travelers want.

Lovingheart

I guess that makes sense, but let's face it. Many of these things are common sense, and I doubt that most managers really care that much. For example, do you think they leave mold and mildew in the shower on purpose?

Patrick, I think some motel managers don't inspect what housekeepers are doing. I also believe that many "managers" (often children), especially those in small towns, have never themselves paid for a night's stay in a hotel or motel and have no idea how a well-managed hotel or motel functions. Lovingheart

So you are doing all this research, compiling lists from previous threads and summarizing then asking for additional ideas, just for yourself? I guess I must be a suspicious person but it seems like there is something in the works (book, article, etc). IMHO.

Snowrooster,

Your suspicion is well founded; I used to be a writer. However, I am retired now, and I research travel options only for myself and my family.

This is an inane endeavor to some, but not to me and my loved one.

Lovingheart

I would add a room that is available when you arrive at check-in time.

KathrynT, I couldn't agree more. When we were in France, we were sent immediately to our room even when we arrived very early in the day. On a recent trip to Mexico our rooms were always ready for us upon arrival. Sadly, some places we like on the Oregon Coast always make us wait until 4:00 p.m. for check-in. Lovingheart