Is It Okay To Leave Your Hotel Room Messy?

It might not come as a shock, but there are a few things hotel housekeepers hate that you do. Unsurprisingly, leaving a hotel room looking like a tornado swept through it is near the top of the list. It can seem like it's the housekeeper's job to tidy your mess for you once you've left — after all, you're in vacation mode and don't want to be bothered with anything that resembles a chore. Still, experts say it's bad manners to leave your hotel room in shambles when you check out.

We spoke exclusively with Nikesha Tannehill Tyson, an etiquette expert at The Swann School of Protocol and the author of the book "Going Public: Culture, Custom, and Class for Social Success," to find out how messy is too messy when departing your hotel. As a rule of thumb, Tyson says to leave your room looking similar to how you found it on check-in day. "Leave the hotel room tidy," she suggests. "Be respectful of the short time the cleaning staff has to prepare the room for the next guests' stay." If you think it would take more than 20 or 30 minutes — the amount of time most housekeepers have — to restore your room to its original state, it's probably too messy.

If you've used the "do not disturb" sign for days and hardly thought about tidying during your stay, Nikesha Tannehill Tyson offers a few simple tips to clean a chaotic hotel room before you leave. First, the etiquette expert recommends collecting any trash and placing it in the waste bins provided in your room. If your hotel offers recycling, separate your trash as instructed. Then, place your used towels in a pile together. "Placing them on the furniture (wood) could cause damage. Placing them on the carpet could cause mildew and/or odors," Tyson warns. Instead, keep damp towels on the bathroom floor or in the bathtub.

If you are traveling with your pet, dispose of any waste and use a lint roller to remove pet hair from furniture and linens. "There should be no evidence left behind with a pet," says the expert. On that note, never smuggle your fur baby into a hotel that isn't pet-friendly — that's terrible behavior. Finally, return the furniture and accessories (such as pillows) to their original places, though Tyson says you don't need to worry about making the bed.

Keeping your hotel room clean is one easy way to win over the housekeepers. However, proper etiquette doesn't end there, according to Nikesha Tannehill Tyson. "Hotel staff members are people, worthy of dignity and respect; avoid treating them like they are servants or invisible," she says. Start by greeting housekeepers when you see them and minding your P's and Q's when making requests or sharing complaints.

Tyson is also a proponent of tipping hotel housekeeping throughout your stay. "Tips are most appreciated in the service industry. It is important to remember to thank people who've provided you with a comfortable stay with a tip." She recommends leaving daily tips of about $3 to $5 for up to three guests or $10 per day when staying at a five-star hotel. Keep in mind, however, that not all cultures view tips positively. "In Japan, tipping is not customary and considered rude," the etiquette guru says. Research customs in your destination before leaving cash on the dresser.

Finally, if you run into issues during your trip, Tyson suggests speaking directly with the hotel staff. "Remain calm and respectful as you share your concerns in hopes of a pleasant outcome." A polite request can often be more effective than posting a negative review online or bad-mouthing the hotel after your stay.