Checkout Expectations

[Jethro37]

I could imagine some strong feelings in varying directions on this so I hope I’m not opening a can of worms

That said, what would yall say is the expected or perhaps acceptable state to leave the room in upon checkout?

For example we end up working a good bit the night before and the morning of checkout to have all the dishes and pots washed, trash collected and bagged, floors and counters cleared, towels gathered and piled into one of the tubs or showers.

We also leave a tip and an encouraging note to the cleaning staff.

Is any of that overkill or unnecessary or is that the expectation? I find the day of checkout stressful trying to get our crew packed and the place in order and wondering if we’re taking more on ourselves than needed.

One note: while I can appreciate that some of the more conscientious tugg members may stay on top of things and not have much to do by way of straightening up in order to leave, I’ll state on the front end that we’re not all wired the same on that front and perhaps the restful aspect of vacations for some means allowing some things to slide.

Also, We do wash dishes and perform general straightening throughout the week though it still tends to add up by the time we’re ready to head.

 

[amycurl]

We load the dishwasher and set it to run, and bag and take out the kitchen trash if it is particularly full. And usually dump the towels on one central place in the unit. But they’ll take out the trash and clean the countertops and floors, so need for us to do it first.


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[DeniseM]

We do the same, except we load the dishwasher and leave it running when we check-out so that housekeeping knows that the contents were actually washed.

 

[pedro47]

We do all of the above. Plus, leave a tip for housekeeping.

 

[Arimaas]

We usually keep up on the dishes along the way, so it's really easy for us at the end. We don't have much to do - take out the last bit of garbage, pile towels up in the bath and leave anything from that AM in the dishwasher. We don't turn on the dishwasher, because I assume even if we did, the houskeeping staff would probably re run it, so we leave that to them. There's only three of us, usually.

 

[TheHolleys87]

We also pile all the towels in one place and load and start the dishwasher. We may or may not take out the trash depending on how easily accessible the trash room is. That said, when we check in I look for checkout instructions in case there are more requirements. One place required beds to be stripped and linens and towels placed in separate piles at the front door, in addition to loading and starting the dishwasher.

 

[Floridaman76]

This is my exact procedure:
- clean surfaces if they are dirty
- empty fridge
- empty ALL trash cans, take to external can, trash chute or wherever they want
- accumulate ALL towels, dirty or not, in one place. Usuall the tub, or if we have extra garbage bags, bag them up
- load AND start dishwasher (some locations explicitly say not to start it, so in those cases we just load it)

I DO NOT do anything with the sheets, do not vacuum

I also do not tip, this is not a hotel where you have free service. The housekeeping people who clean your unit you never, ever see, and you don't get any sort of daily service from them like a hotel or your porter on a cruise ship. If i'm staying somewhere and notice the "guest services" people who bring you supplies is consistenly the same person, I usually tip that person at some point.

I'm generally a very clean person, so there is very little for houskeeping to do other than vacuum, do a quick one-over on the surfaces, change linens, restock supplies and clean the bathrooms.

I've never even considered leaving a tip for the unit cleaning staff. And in general I tip very well for everyone I interface with in a service industry capacity like wait staff, restaurants, bus boys, valet, etc. I just see no point in tipping someone you never interact with. If they are paid poorly, that's between them and their employer.

 

[jp10558]

I tend to do what the instruction paper says, or the online thingy if I can find it though I'm not searching. If I don't have instructions then we pile the used towels on the floor in the bathrooms, take out trash and recycling and start dishwasher.

 

[Janann]

I'm sorry to admit that I never thought about emptying the trash.

One thing my husband does is leave papers, brochures, etc lying around the unit. I don't want the maid to have to look at anything and figure out if it is trash. Even if the trash can is getting full, I'll leave (non-messy) trash next to the trash can so that it is obvious it can be tossed.

I always pile up the towels, and throw away the used bar of soap and anything else in the shower that we decided not to take home.

No way would I leave dirty dishes in the sink. It isn't the maid's job. The dishes should be washed and put away, or loaded into the dishwasher.

 

[HitchHiker71]

I tend to do what the instruction paper says, or the online thingy if I can find it though I'm not searching. If I don't have instructions then we pile the used towels on the floor in the bathrooms, take out trash and recycling and start dishwasher.

This is what we do as well. Since different resorts often have unique asks - one enhancement for the mobile app I’ve mentioned to Wyndham is to use the app notifications to alert the owner on the day of checkout of these requirements since it already knows where you are staying. This data could also be easily listed in the mobile app for reference at any point during your stay. Hopefully we will see something like this come to fruition for the mobile app in the future.


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[jp10558]

This is what we do as well. Since different resorts often have unique asks - one enhancement for the mobile app I’ve mentioned to Wyndham is to use the app notifications to alert the owner on the day of checkout of these requirements since it already knows where you are staying. This data could also be easily listed in the mobile app for reference at any point during your stay. Hopefully we will see something like this come to fruition for the mobile app in the future.


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I still wish they'd put paper in your check in documents, or laminated paper in the room somewhere simply because I'm the only one in my party with an account and the app, and other people would like to know / reference and having to ask me is... annoying and unnecessary IMHO. It's the same complaint I have about Hilton Hotels wanting you to not get the key cards - well, many people in a party might reasonably need a key card and might not have or want the app, HHonors account or even might not have a phone that runs the app.

 

[Janann]

It's the same complaint I have about Hilton Hotels wanting you to not get the key cards - well, many people in a party might reasonably need a key card and might not have or want the app, HHonors account or even might not have a phone that runs the app.

Keys on the app are great for "road warrior" types who don't want to wait in line to check in every couple nights at a different hotel. I definitely prefer key cards if I'm staying in the same hotel for more than one night.

 

[jp10558]

Keys on the app are great for "road warrior" types who don't want to wait in line to check in every couple nights at a different hotel. I definitely prefer key cards if I'm staying in the same hotel for more than one night.

TBH, the few times I've tried the app, IDK if it was my phone or what, but I've had about 30% success getting the phone to work to unlock the door - so I also just gave up trying a while ago. I could try again, but like I said, it doesn't usually fit my travel patterns, even checking in for one night doesn't take very long IME where I've been staying.

 

[HitchHiker71]

I still wish they'd put paper in your check in documents, or laminated paper in the room somewhere simply because I'm the only one in my party with an account and the app, and other people would like to know / reference and having to ask me is... annoying and unnecessary IMHO. It's the same complaint I have about Hilton Hotels wanting you to not get the key cards - well, many people in a party might reasonably need a key card and might not have or want the app, HHonors account or even might not have a phone that runs the app.

I can make this suggestion as well. Just put a laminated checkout procedure on the back of the unit entrance door for example - or somewhere easily viewed and accessible.

We typically get text messages from the resort the night before checkout - just include all checkout instructions in a text message to boot. We use the Wyndham wristbands for the most part since we have them with us when we travel - many sets actually - that we’ve collected over time. Not sure if Wyndham eventually has plans to use PaaK for door keys. The only challenge with this is if your phone dies for any reason, so does your key.

We also don’t leave any housekeeping tips for the same reasons that @Floridaman76 outlined. It’s not like we are getting daily turndown services or anything.

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[HitchHiker71]

TBH, the few times I've tried the app, IDK if it was my phone or what, but I've had about 30% success getting the phone to work to unlock the door - so I also just gave up trying a while ago. I could try again, but like I said, it doesn't usually fit my travel patterns, even checking in for one night doesn't take very long IME where I've been staying.

The PaaK typically takes at least a few seconds to make the handshake and engage the lock, it’s not instant like the key cards unfortunately.


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[Floridaman76]

It's pretty much universal to take out the trash, I don't think i've ever stayed at any Wyndham were that was not part of the expectation. That and collecting the towels to a central location. It's suprising reading comments that people leave trash just lying around in the unit and don't empty the cans.

 

[bnoble]

I load (but do not start) the dishwasher---I don't start it in case I manage to miss something, which would require them to run it a second time. I don't strip beds/collect towels, but the towels are all in the bathroom, and not strewn across the unit, so that's not an issue. I do try to toss anything that is trash in the bin, but do not take it out.

So, I'd say I try not to make the job harder for staff, but I also don't go too far out of my way to do the job myself. Of course, if the resort has specific asks, I will do those, but that's become increasingly rare at Wyndham resorts.

 

[traumaguy]

I could imagine some strong feelings in varying directions on this so I hope I’m not opening a can of worms

That said, what would yall say is the expected or perhaps acceptable state to leave the room in upon checkout?

For example we end up working a good bit the night before and the morning of checkout to have all the dishes and pots washed, trash collected and bagged, floors and counters cleared, towels gathered and piled into one of the tubs or showers.

We also leave a tip and an encouraging note to the cleaning staff.

Is any of that overkill or unnecessary or is that the expectation? I find the day of checkout stressful trying to get our crew packed and the place in order and wondering if we’re taking more on ourselves than needed.

One note: while I can appreciate that some of the more conscientious tugg members may stay on top of things and not have much to do by way of straightening up in order to leave, I’ll state on the front end that we’re not all wired the same on that front and perhaps the restful aspect of vacations for some means allowing some things to slide.

Also, We do wash dishes and perform general straightening throughout the week though it still tends to add up by the time we’re ready to head.

i generally stay 2-4 wks at the same resort so i get to know housekeeping and staff. i generally treat it like my home wash dishes regular because i cook everyday because of dietary restrictions, keep counter clean take garbage out to designated location, i generally tip the housekeepers and staff at my building. i usually let house keeping refresh unit every couple of weeks and get fresh linen and towels delivered as needed

 

[b2bailey]

This is my exact procedure:
- clean surfaces if they are dirty
- empty fridge
- empty ALL trash cans, take to external can, trash chute or wherever they want
- accumulate ALL towels, dirty or not, in one place. Usuall the tub, or if we have extra garbage bags, bag them up
- load AND start dishwasher (some locations explicitly say not to start it, so in those cases we just load it)

I DO NOT do anything with the sheets, do not vacuum

I also do not tip, this is not a hotel where you have free service. The housekeeping people who clean your unit you never, ever see, and you don't get any sort of daily service from them like a hotel or your porter on a cruise ship. If i'm staying somewhere and notice the "guest services" people who bring you supplies is consistenly the same person, I usually tip that person at some point.

I'm generally a very clean person, so there is very little for houskeeping to do other than vacuum, do a quick one-over on the surfaces, change linens, restock supplies and clean the bathrooms.

I've never even considered leaving a tip for the unit cleaning staff. And in general I tip very well for everyone I interface with in a service industry capacity like wait staff, restaurants, bus boys, valet, etc. I just see no point in tipping someone you never interact with. If they are paid poorly, that's between them and their employer.

Having just stayed at Wyndham Panama City, I literally never saw a member of the housekeeping staff. I left a small tip, having stayed only 3 nights. I find it difficult to be generous to an unknown being.

 

[DancingWaters]

Our routine is similar to Amy Curl except we start the dishwasher, wipe off the counters and tidy the floors. When we travel with the kids and grandkids we make sure we are the last to leave and check all rooms and tidy where needed

 

[bizaro86]

Keys on the app are great for "road warrior" types who don't want to wait in line to check in every couple nights at a different hotel. I definitely prefer key cards if I'm staying in the same hotel for more than one night.

I would use mobile keys everywhere if I could skip the front desk. But every Marriott hotel I've been to has made me check-in in person - once I'm talking to you you can make me keycards.

This is different from Disney - I just check-in via the app and touch my phone to the door. I've never talked to anyone at a Disney front desk and I have to think that saves them money.

 

[Sandi Bo]

I feel very old school - more worried that my stepmother would be disappointed in me than any Wyndham person or resort. Other than no longer stripping sheets, we try to clean up, out dirty towels in one tub, take out trash etc, and count towels so we know we're okay (that definitely comes from the stepmother). She would also count keys, so I guess I can say I gave up that habit, too.

We no longer start the dishwasher - heard they have to run it anyways because people were running them without soap.
I always wonder, do they (can they) assume that towels left untouched are truly okay to leave for the next person? (I figure that's one reason for putting all the soiled ones in a tub).

Mobile keys - were an epic failure for us at a non-Wyndham properly. It is so rare for us to only have one room - and managing multiple rooms didn't work for us at all. Very confusing, maybe incompetent desk help, much easier to have room keys. Never attempted again. Love the Wyndham wrist bands/keys. Very spoiled by that!

I am disappointed when I hear that rooms can be left trashed and that people have seen numerous bags of garbage removed (as an explanation of why it can take so long to turn around a room). Not acceptable as far as I'm concerned. I would be okay with a fine / keeping some of the deposit. But I do not think Wyndham, as a rule does that.

 

[TolmiePeak]

Isn't the tip included in your maintenance fees?

 

[bnoble]

Housekeepers are paid based on local market conditions—which are not favorable in most places. I am happy to supplement that by leaving some cash for them on checkout day, and believe that doing so is very reasonable.

 

[Vacay0606]

I never tip the house cleaners on check out. I consider that part of my maintenance fees. I will tip the mid week cleaner and the trash man.