Hotel Hacks 101: 10 Ways to Avoid Being ‘That Guest'.

We’ve seen it all. The good, the bad, and the “oh dear sweet baby Jesus, please don’t let them post that on TripAdvisor.” Staying at a hotel may seem like a no-brainer - you show up, check in, live your best vacation life - but you’d be shocked at the little mistakes guests make that can turn a smooth stay into a hiccup-filled headache.

Lucky for you, we’re here to spill the (iced) tea - Grove-style - so you can avoid these common blunders and rack up nothing but good vibes on your next visit.

1. Booking Blind (aka the YOLO Reservation)

We love spontaneity as much as the next cool cat, but ignoring the details can lead to a few “oops” moments. Two-night minimums, stair-only access to certain rooms, late arrival procedures, no CASH, an ID check - it’s all in our fine-print. A 30-second read saves a 30-minute awkward chat at check-in.

2. Assuming We're Mind Readers

Want dinner recs? Winery tours? That perfect off-the-beaten-path picnic spot? We’ve got the scoop. Just ask. We know the good stuff because we live here. (Bonus: our recommendations pair perfectly with wine. Coincidence? We think not.)

3. Showing Up Before Check-In Like a Boss

We love your enthusiasm, truly. But check-in times aren’t arbitrary - we need time to get your room spotless and looking like a magazine spread. Early arrival? We’ll babysit your bags, hand you a coffee shop tip, or point you toward the lake until we text you with the all-clear.

4. Not Speaking Up When Something’s Off

Your TV remote’s gone rogue? The shower is doing its best impression of a leaky garden hose? Hopefully, we can fix it—if you tell us. We promise, we’d rather play superhero now than read about it later in a review that starts with “Unfortunately…”

5. The Great Freebie Heist

Those little toiletries are cute, we get it. But when you start hoarding towels, toilet paper, and half the coffee pods for your “road trip stash,” it gets awkward. Take what you need, leave the lamp where it is, and maybe grab a bottle of local wine for a real souvenir instead.

6. Trash-tastrophes

We’ve seen everything from pizza boxes on the floor to a trail of muffin crumbs that could lead Hansel and Gretel back home. A little trash in the bin goes a long way in keeping housekeeping from crying softly into their laundry bin. Trust us, they’ll love you for it.

7. Forgetting the Tip

You tip your barista for making your oat-milk-latte-extra-hot-double-pump, right? Housekeeping is busting their butts to make your stay flawless. A few bucks on the pillow is the classiest mic drop you can leave behind.

8. The Impromptu Rock Concert

We love that you’re vibing on vacation, but remember - hotel walls aren’t made of magic soundproof unicorn hair. Keep it chill after hours, or at least invite us if you’re hosting a rager (kidding… sort of).

9. Skipping the Proper Goodbye

Leaving without letting us know feels like a breakup text that just says “k.” Drop the keys, wave, let us ugly-cry after you leave. It gives us closure (and keeps our housekeeping schedule on track).

10. Thinking You’re On Reality TV

Yes, you’re a guest. No, we don’t have a secret camera crew following you around to cater to every whim. A dash of kindness and patience makes everyone’s day brighter. And we promise, we’ll return the good vibes tenfold.

The Bottom Line

Hotels are like relationships: communication is everything, small gestures matter, and it’s always more fun when you let someone local show you the ropes. At The Grove, we’re all about helping you have a stay that’s memorable for all the right reasons.

Need the perfect dinner spot, a winery that pours like they mean it, or a cozy nook for your second dessert of the day? Just ask - we’ve got you. And trust us, avoiding these 10 oopsies will make you the kind of guest every hotel secretly wishes for.

Original BLOG by Jennifer Flynn, Lady Boss & Chief Fun Maker for The Grove Collective (July 2025)