Can I Bring Guests to My Hotel Room?

Jumping into the hotel pool with friends or grabbing something from the breakfast buffet to go - what's actually allowed at hotels? And how much tip should housekeeping staff receive?

Traveling can be quite complex: no matter where you end up, there are always different rules to follow. It can be difficult to keep on top of things.

Have you ever been in the situation where you snuck someone into your hotel room because they weren't checked in, and you weren't sure if visitors were allowed? We've been there. To ensure you're clear on what to do next time, we're providing you with a hotel etiquette update.

Basically, it should be clear that only those who have paid for the hotel room can stay overnight, says etiquette consultant Karin Schleines in the digital travel magazine 'Unterwegs'. However, if the visit is just a short stopover in the afternoon, then there's usually no problem. Schleines recommends in any case to speak with the reception.

According to a report by the booking portal 'Check24', this also applies if you want to take friends to the hotel pool. If the visit extends beyond the afternoon, it is legally necessary to register the guest. This usually leads to booking an additional room.

But what if it's not you bringing visitors, but your hotel neighbors throwing a party in their room? Head to the reception instead of knocking on the neighbor's door and potentially sparking an avoidable dispute.

If you'd rather bring outside food to your room than unfamiliar people, unfortunately, according to etiquette, you're out of luck. The travel magazine 'Unterwegs' quotes expert Schleines as follows: 'Please do not consume brought-in food in the room.' Even storing these foods in the minibar is considered inappropriate.

However, if the hotel doesn't have its own catering service or it's an apartment, this rule does not apply. Having a pizza delivered directly to your room from an outside delivery service is, however, a no-go.

Now let's look at it the other way around: Many hotel rooms have towels, cosmetic items, pens, and magazines available for guests. Upon leaving, it's tempting to take a little souvenir from the hotel.

But is that allowed? It's generally accepted that cosmetic items can be taken since they are provided as consumables for guests.

However, travel expert Schleines also advises checking with the reception. According to etiquette, nothing should be taken without asking. This certainly applies to towels, bathrobes, or slippers - they should stay at the hotel.

A similar situation arises with the breakfast buffet: If you're full and want to take an extra portion back to your room or for a day trip, it's better to ask hotel staff for a lunch package rather than serving yourself.

Buffet prices are deliberately calculated for guests to eat on-site. However, hoteliers are aware of the temptation to take food, which is why many now offer small snacks for on the go. When in doubt, just ask.

So, it's the day of departure, you talked to the reception a lot this time, got a lunch packet, and were able to jump into the hotel pool with your friends. The staff also cleaned your room, carried your luggage, and your server was there for you every day.

Now it's time to thank them with an appropriate tip. But what does that look like? Let's start with the server. They typically receive 5 to 10 percent, similar to in a restaurant, depending on how happy you were with their service. The bellhop appreciates two to three euros, and you can leave up to ten euros for the housekeeping staff, but only if you were satisfied with your stay.

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