I just posted a list of things I hate about travel, and this got me thinking about the odd quirks I've developed when I stay in a hotel.

1. Get rid of the crap. I take the menu's, internet access cards, hotel brochures and anything else they leave laying around and throw them all in a drawer so I can clearly see which of my stuff I've left out before I leave.

2. Turn down any mini bar key. This isn't fool proof, but I hate having to argue over a phantom charge after I've checked out for a $27 bottle of water.

3. Put all my stuff out in the bathroom.

4. Put down towels on whatever part of the bathroom floor that my uncovered skin will come in contact with.

5. Ditch the bedspread...gross.

6. Put a towel under the door and the door of any connecting room to muffle the sound or smell that might want to get in.

7. Take the stuff I want. Soap, shampoo, other stuff that I donate to homeless shelters.

8. Get two room keys. I'll likely lose one so this saves a trip to the front desk.

9. Check the time on the clock. Nothing worse than being late or early b/c the previoius guest mucked with the time.

10. Move the desk or TV if I can't work and see the TV at the same time...you rarely can for some reason.

I agree with all of the above and to add a couple of things I also check out the pool area and/or workout room and/or spa.

One more:
Power - figure out which of the lights I can unplug so I can charge my laptop, phone and blackberry. That usually seems to require freeing up an outlet or two.

I try to stay in the same hotels from city to city because then I know which rooms are better for my preferences...that is I prefer high up, darker and quieter. That means I don't want the room next to the ice machine, elevator or concierge lounge, or in Pittsburg on the side of the hotel that faces the train tracks.
I take charge when I check in and let them know which area of the hotel that I want.
I agree about the annoying cards, notices and other paraphanelia in a room. If you are a frequent traveller these are just in the way. There is nothing more aggravating then the ubiquitous service rating cards that hit you everywhere.
Finally, make sure that the alarm hasn't been left on by the previous guest...a constant issue. The other problem is the room that's too hot...I try to find places that I know have good ventilation

How does mdtravel get all those towels?

MD, your other two threads well, hell they are downright amusing, but this one just smacks of a bit of O.C.D. creeping in. Don't scare me now.

Whatever happened to walking in, unpacking and admiring the view? and what's with putting the towels on the floor? how many skanky foot infections have you picked up? What do you have against bedspreads that I should be aware of ? and do you have particularly pongy neighbours in the next room?

I was going to go on holidays on Tuesday to NYC from London but now you have me worried.......

Hmmm. I'm about 50-50 on that list. I do put all that advertising crap in a drawer. My partner thinks I'm crazy, but he's used to it. Otherwise I feel like I'm living in a magazine with all the little advertising inserts.

But you left off a very important detail, mdtravel. When you check the clock, surely you check to make sure the alarm is turned OFF if you aren't resetting it? I've been awakened too many times by alarm clocks at 4 AM NOT to check that.

I don't cover the floor with towels though. I assume, and I hope not falsely, that in a good hotel it has been well mopped with a good disinfectant. Who wants towels slipping around under their feet on marble floors? Sounds dangerous to me.

If your palatial room has marble floors, maybe you don't have to worry about them not being mopped. Tile or linoleum, however, probably doesn't get mopped each guest; and carpet? forget about it--I always bring extra white ankle socks to wear in a room (and you should see them after one wearing--yuck). The bedspreads and blankets are the filthiest, most unhygenic thing around, even in good places--I love to see the blankets "double wrapped" in sheets. If I started thinking about the cleanliness of bed pillows, I'd never leave home again...maybe mdtravel is right (but still, where do all those extra towels come from!?)

The first thing I do is to turn on the TV and the weather channel to check the local weather.

Hang up and put away all my clothes and health and beauty aides.

Call housekeeping and cancel service for my stay.

I love this kind of post, but I got a hard time when I published one a few months ago.

I agree with most of what you list; however, I always wear slippers in hotel room so I don't have to "put down towels on whatever part of the bathroom floor that my uncovered skin will come in contact with."

I like the idea about "putting a towel under the door and the door of any connecting room to muffle the sound or smell that might want to get in."

Thanks for sharing your no-nonsense approach to hotel living.

wow. I really can't imagine spending that much time prepping the room like that! I usually walk in, put my stuff down, check the room out, and then either turn on the TV, plug in my laptop, sleep or go find a nearby lounge or restaurant. If I think too much about the 'germs' I'd probably never leave home!

It takes all kinds to make the world go around though. Whatever makes you more comfortable, Mdtravel!

Sounds about right to me. I always wear at least socks, so the only time my bare feet would touch the floor is getting out of the shower, and i do put a towel down if there's no mat -- as much for warmth/comfort as for the sake of not stepping on the bare floor.

And I don't completely ditch the bedspread, because thau means wrestling with it and finding someplace to stash it. But I do fold it back in half.

My routine also includes checking out the electrical outlets, adjusting the climate controls if necessary, and checking out the view and fire exit. Finally, when I'm checking the fire-exit map on the back of the door, I can never resist looking up the rack rate for my room.

Sorry, I'm already on my second drink poolside by the time you've done all that work.

always ask for extra towels!

I never worry about the tile. It seems that it would be the easiest thing to clean and/or see dirt. Its the nasty carpets that bother me. They never seem clean and of course they are usualy dark colors to hide stains or the dirt.

I don't care if we're staying at the Marriott or Ritz Carlton I, too, put towels down on the bathroom floor AND I line the drawers with tissue.

And, that's me sitting next to SAnParis! (I throw a very lightweight pair of flip flops in my carry on to avoid direct contact w/ the floors)

That is the very next thing on my list SAnParis!

I'm sitting poolside with SAnParis and Wow... have a few drinks and you don't care about the alleged kooties.

I do throw the advertisements into a drawer, to clear the dresser top.

And I *am* still trying to figure out how you get all those towels, since housekeeping hasn't been to your room since you checked in.

Suze, have a drink for me! If there's not enough to go around...towels or hangers that is...we call housekeeping. Cheers!