Behind the Scenes

I want to live in a hotel when I retire. Take me to a place where every towel is fluffed, where the showers are always scum-free, and where I will never have to wrestle another fitted sheet onto a stubborn mattress. Maids are the unsung heroes of the travel industry. They replace worn-out linens, scrub bathrooms, and scour carpet stains. Room after room, floor after floor, the best work quietly and almost invisibly. Were it not for the chocolate on the pillow, extra bottles of shampoo, and, of course, the perfectly neat room, sometimes I wouldn't know they'd been there at all.

That said, there are some rotten hotel maids prowling around with feather dusters and deodorizer. They're the ones who barge in while you're in the shower or who push on the door chain like The Incredible Hulk. Here are some tips on how to deal with both the good and the bad maids. Good luck out there. -MORGAN MURPHY

Maids are the unsung heroes of the travel industry.

A TIP FOR HOUSEKEEPING

Few people tip the hotel maid, although some hotels allow housekeeping to leave not-so-subtle hints (such as an envelope that says "Thank you for your tipl"). How much to tip is also the subject of debate. Many travel guides suggest a small tip of $2 to $3 per day. I prefer to leave a larger tip near the beginning of my stay-from $5 to $20, depending on the cost of the hotel and how long I'll be there. I find that when I tip early in my trip, the service is better. Just make sure to leave it in an envelope in an obvious place (on a pillow, say).

Yes, leave a tip for the maid. A tip at the beginning of your stay can make a big difference.

TRAVEL TIP STRIP: hotEL HELP

1. Don't tempt. Lock up your computers, watches, rings, and money, either in the room safe, your suitcase, or the hotel's safe.

2. Call the front desk or tell the maid directly when you need housekeeping. Don't put out a "Clean the Room" signit advertises that you're away.

3. Be kind to the bedding. As hotels add more sheets and more pillows per bed, the time it takes to make up one has increased exponentially. Treating the bedding as you would treat your own (i.e., take off your mascara before you hit the sack) is good manners and helps both the maid and the environment.

4. Hang that towel. Reusing bath linens saves electricity, water, labor, and harsh chemicals. Why should you care? The hospitality industry is highly competitive; savings are generally passed to the consumer.

5. Don't panic about your key. Yes, hotel key cards could hold your personal information, so don't leave them in the room. But destroying the key after you leave accomplishes nothing-the hotel already has your name, address, and credit card number on its computer. Just give your key back to the front desk, and try not to worry so much.

FOR MORE INFO

More Travel Tips online: southernliving.com/july2007

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jul 2007
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