Secret perks hotel employees can give you that you probably didn't know about
Simon08 Apr 2025
Last Updated: 23 Sep 2026
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SimonLast Updated: 23 Sep 2026
Imagine going on a holiday only to find that your hotel room doesn’t have a view. Or that it’s separate from the rest of your travel companions. Frustrating, right? But here’s a little insider tip: hotel employees often have the power to make adjustments and upgrades on the spot to turn your trip from meh to marvellous. We’ve all seen them as they smile and welcome us or bid us farewell, but what many travellers don’t know is that the hotel staff can do so much more to make our stay memorable. All you need to do is ask.
Here’s a list of the top hotel stay requests you can make that you probably didn't know about.
We get it; planning for a trip can be hectic. With so much to do in so little time, you're bound to forget something. There's no need to let that ruin the rest of your holiday. Simply let the hotel staff know, and they’ll provide it.
Most hotel staff maintain a stock of commonly forgotten items like toothpaste, phone chargers, and safety pins to ensure guests have everything they need. They’re also often prepared to provide items such as hair ties, shaving kits, and even medications for additional convenience.
If certain hotel amenities are unavailable, the staff can also supply in-room essentials such as coffee, tea, and snacks to improve your comfort during your stay. Additionally, if you’re travelling with young children or an extra guest, you can ask hotel staff to provide cribs or folding beds. Most hotels offer these at no additional cost, but it's wise to check their availability and any potential fees when you make your reservation.
Holiday trips are best when enjoyed with a group of friends or family. Imagine using your Reward Flight Finder (RFF) tickets to book a trip with your friends only to realise that you’re all staying in rooms on separate floors. Let the hotel staff know in advance so that they can arrange adjacent rooms or connecting doors, which is especially useful for families with children as it provides easy access and adds security.
The hotel staff are used to accommodating all sorts of requests. Don’t hesitate to ask them if you have a unique situation. Chances are they’ll have a solution that suits your needs.
If you’re a light sleeper and don’t want to be disturbed by noise, request them to put you in a room on a higher floor, away from street noises. For those travelling with pets, many pet-friendly hotels offer special amenities to accommodate your furry friends. Or, if your travel schedule doesn't sync with normal check-in or checkout times, you can often arrange an early or late checkout. For those who like to keep up with their fitness routine, several hotels offer exercise equipment like yoga mats, resistance bands, or even treadmills and stationary bikes delivered to their rooms.
Who can resist waking up to a room with a beautiful view? After all, you've gone to great lengths to plan a holiday, so the view has to be worth the effort. When booking your luxury hotel stay, let the hotel staff know your preferred room. If you prefer a particular scene, such as a cityscape, ocean, or poolside view, make sure to specify this when booking. A room away from elevators, ice machines, or street-facing sections can make your stay a lot more restful.
Whether you need extra pillows for a good night's sleep, prefer a specific floor for its quietness, or a room with easy access to the hotel's facilities, the staff are usually more than happy to personalise your stay to your needs.
Moving around in a new city can be challenging. Luckily, hotel staff can assist guests with transportation to key destinations such as airports, cruise terminals, and popular tourist attractions. They can arrange for taxis, shuttles, or private transfers and connect you with reliable transportation providers for peace of mind.
If you prefer exploring the city alone, the hotel staff can provide detailed maps, directions, and tips on local parking options and traffic patterns to help you avoid congestion and make the most of your time in the city. They can also offer advice on the best times to travel and information about public transportation routes to improve your experience of the area.
Eating local cuisine is half the charm of visiting a new place. Hotel staff are invaluable resources for uncovering local dining options that might not appear in online guides or apps. Their recommendations are often based on personal experience and insights into the community, which can lead you to hidden culinary gems.
Hotel employees can also provide personalised advice based on your dietary needs, such as guiding you to establishments specialising in vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-conscious menus. If you're looking for a specific dining atmosphere, for example a kid-friendly restaurant or a romantic venue, the staff can tailor suggestions to suit your occasion. They may even help with reservations, sometimes offering access to exclusive deals or insider tips on snagging a table at in-demand spots.
Ever visited a spot only to find it filled with tourists? One of the charms of visiting a new place is checking out hidden gems and local attractions that are off the beaten path. Staying at a hotel gives you access to the staff’s local expertise, which can greatly improve your visit.
Front desk employees are excellent resources for planning customised itineraries that cater to your interests, if you are keen on exploring local art scenes or outdoor activities. They can recommend galleries, museums, hiking trails, parks, and tips on the best times to visit key attractions to help you avoid the crowds. They can also point you towards unique, lesser-known experiences beyond the well-trodden paths. This might include local events like festivals or concerts and hidden gems not typically featured in travel guides.
This isn’t one you’ll be able to request from the front desk, but it’s certainly worth considering during your travel planning—especially if you want to reduce unnecessary bank fees and earn perks while staying at your favourite hotels.
For example, Hilton offers the Hilton Honors Debit Card and Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card in partnership with Currensea. These link directly to your UK bank account and allow you to earn Hilton Honors Points on everyday spending, including extra points on Hilton purchases abroad. The cards also help you avoid high overseas bank charges and come with travel perks like complimentary breakfasts, Wi-Fi, and room upgrades depending on your tier.
But if you want a more flexible option that works no matter where you stay, then it’s also worth looking at Wise. Wise offers a multi-currency account and debit card that gives you the real exchange rate, with low and transparent fees on foreign spending. You can hold and convert over 40 currencies, withdraw cash abroad affordably, and tap and pay directly from your Wise wallet using Google Pay or Apple Pay.
Unlike hotel-branded cards, Wise isn’t tied to one loyalty scheme, so it’s perfect for travellers who want financial freedom across destinations, hotels, restaurants, and shops.
Both chasing points and just trying to keep more of your travel money in your pocket are part of the appeal, and combining a hotel reward card with a Wise account could be the smartest way to spend abroad and get one yourself here.
According to a survey by TripAdvisor, over 60% of hotels are willing to accommodate special requests based on availability. However, remember that they face similar queries daily. For the best chances of getting what you want, try to make these requests when booking. This can typically be done through a special requests field in the online booking form or by directly calling the hotel's reservation line. You can address more immediate needs, such as extra pillows or room issues upon arrival, by speaking directly with the front desk staff. You can also call the hotel to communicate more complex needs or send an email for a written record, which can be useful for early arrangements.
Politeness goes a long way when making a request — a simple 'please' and 'thank you' and explaining the significance of your needs will encourage the staff to accommodate you better. Flexibility also helps, such as accepting a partial view room if your preferred choice is unavailable.
However, even with the best intentions, hotels may not always be able to fulfil every request due to limitations like availability, room type specifics, or unexpected issues like maintenance. Reputable hotels will typically offer an alternative or explain the situation clearly to maintain transparency. Always maintain composure and explore alternative solutions if a request cannot be accommodated. Remember, the objective is to enjoy your trip, even if all special requests are unmet.
You can also improve your chances of having your request accommodated if you have the hotel’s loyalty card. These often come with perks to customise aspects of your stay, such as choosing specific room types, room locations, and other special amenities. As a loyalty card member, you receive priority service, which helps meet your requests more quickly.
Membership can also grant you access to exclusive perks, such as room upgrades or complimentary services, and allows for special requests that might not be available to other guests. For something truly special, you can request welcoming touches such as flowers, chocolates, or champagne to be ready in your room upon arrival.
So, the next time you're thinking about how to spend Avios on a holiday, make sure to use these secret perks to make your hotel stay a memorable one.
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