21 secrets hotels won’t tell you

We love it when you steal the soap, shampoo and lotion. That’s why we put our logo on them. But pillows, bedspreads and irons? We’re billing your credit card.

Even the best hotels aren’t totally soundproof, and I’m the one who has to send the security guard up to knock on your door when someone complains.

For something completely different, check into 25 of the world’s strangest and most unique hotels.

It’s a lot easier for me to remove Wi-Fi charges from your bill at checkout than to agree to waive them in advance.

Learn the 13 things smart travellers always do before a flight. 

No, we don’t have an hourly rate. You don’t want to be at a hotel like that anyway.

If you ask us to, we’ll tell callers you’re not registered at the hotel, or tell you where to park so you can’t see your car from the interstate. But we’re also talking behind your back about what you might be hiding.

We wash the sheets every day, but blankets often only get washed once a week. And the bedspreads? If there’s no visible stain, it’s maybe once a month.

Learn the 10 things aeroplanes aren’t cleaning as they should.

If your hotel offers a hot breakfast buffet as well as a free continental breakfast, ask if you can get the hot breakfast with your room. Very rarely will we tell you no.

Get to know the staff. Regulars are recognised and treated as VIPs. You could get free upgrades, discounts and more.

Unless you want to pay $10 for a five-minute call, it’s best to specifically ask for it to be turned off. We’ve had situations in which housekeepers have made calls from a guest’s phone.

No matter how confident the reservations agent sounds, call the hotel directly and make the request again a few days before you travel. Then do it again on the day of. If we still don’t have one when you get there and you’re nice about it, we may comp your breakfast or upgrade you to a suite.