Polite Requests for Unmade Beds: A Comprehensive Guide for Travelers

When staying at a hotel, unmade beds can be a refreshing and personal touch, especially if you prefer your room to feel more like home. This guide provides a comprehensive approach to requesting that your hotel staff not tuck in the covers under the mattress, covering pre-booking, on-site, and follow-up steps.

Communicating Your Preferences During Booking

Communicating your preference about unmade beds should be a part of your overall hotel booking process. Here are the key steps:

1. When Booking Directly with the Hotel

Call the Hotel Directly Mention Your Request

If you have the opportunity, make your reservation by calling the hotel directly. This allows for direct communication and detailed requests. During the call, mention your request politely and clearly, such as:

“I have a special request regarding the bedding. Could you please ensure that the covers are not tucked in under the mattress?”

2. Booking Online

If you prefer to book your stay online, consider sending an email to the hotel after your reservation is confirmed. Here’s an example of how you can frame your request:

Subject: Special Bedding Request

Dear [Hotel Name] Team,

I hope this message finds you well. I recently made a reservation for [Your Dates] under the name [Your Name]. I have a small request regarding the bedding in my room. Could you please ensure that the covers are not tucked in under the mattress? Thank you for your assistance and I look forward to my stay!

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Communicating Your Preferences at Check-In

Upon arrival at the hotel, make a polite and clear request to the front desk staff to ensure their note is taken. Here’s how you can do this:

Remind the Staff:

When you arrive at the hotel, you can mention your preference to the front desk staff to ensure it is noted for your room. You can say something like, “I have a special request for my room. Could you please ensure that the covers are not tucked in under the mattress?”

Additional Tips and Considerations

While hotel staff typically make beds in advance based on available room categories, there are a few additional steps you can take to ensure your request is honored:

1. Friendly Reminder and Tip

Upon entering your room, leave a friendly note for the housekeeping staff. The note might say something like:

“We appreciate your hard work in keeping our room clean. We do, however, prefer that our blankets are not tucked in.” “You are appreciated. We’ve left a few bucks with the note for you!”

These gestures can go a long way in making your request more palatable for housekeeping staff.

2. Frequency of Requests

It's important to understand that making specific requests, especially at standard hotels, can be challenging. Here are a few points to consider:

Hotel Booking Teams Generally Have No Control: People who handle reservations are usually based in other cities. They do not control how your room is prepared. Standard Procedures at Check-In: By the time you check-in, housekeeping has already made the beds. Rooms are allocated based on available categories, and specific requests are honored with limited flexibility. The Exception: Frequent Guests and Special Requests: If you are a frequent guest and the staff knows you well, they might be willing to allocate a specific room and note your special request, but this requires coordination and is unlikely.

Conclusion

Communicating your preference about unmade beds is important for a more personalized and comfortable stay. Whether you opt to call, email, or talk to the front desk, clear and polite communication will increase the likelihood of your request being accommodated. Remember, making this request directly can make your stay more enjoyable and stress-free.

Keywords

hotel bedding preferences, hotel room requests, tucking in covers