How to Override Hotel Thermostat Settings

[CalGalTraveler]

Too hot? Too cold? Here is how to get the best temp in your room.

https://yourmileagemayvary.com/2023/09/02/how-to-override-hotel-thermostat-settings/

 

[moonstone]

Our timeshare in St. Augustine put in motions sensors for the AC many years ago to help cut costs from guests sitting on the balconies leaving the patio doors open with the air-conditioner running or going out all day with the temps set low in the unit. The problem we found is that at night when there was no movement, the unit would get pretty warm even with the fan set to 'on' instead of 'auto' (coming on only when the compressor came on). I went to the local dollar store and bought a small helium filled balloon then tied it to the back of a bar stool right by the motion sensor and below an air vent. We set the fan to 'on" and the movement of the balloon from the air vent caused the AC to stay on at our desired temperature of 75F instead of going back to 80F.

The timeshare management had so many complaints about the system they took all the motion sensors out a few years later and installed cutoff switches on the patio doors so they needed to be closed in order for the AC or fan to run.

In years past I also carried a card with a magnetic strip to leave in the slot of hotels (or cruise ships) to keep the air-conditioning on. We don't keep the room freezing cold but we want the room comfortable when we return.


~Diane

 

[Rolltydr]

Great idea with the balloon! I hadn’t heard, or thought of, that before. I’m with you. The room needs to be comfortable for whoever is staying in it. If that’s 80, fine. If it’s 70 or below, that should be fine, too. We’re paying for it for the few days we are there. My daughter is very hot natured. There’s nothing she can do about that and there is only so much she can take off. We make the unit comfortable for her and the rest of us put on more/warmer clothes if we need to.

 

[TheHolleys87]

The DVC resorts installed the motion sensors some years ago, and the balloon trick circulated on various websites. The older resorts had ceiling fans, which helped to mitigate but not eliminate nighttime stuffiness. Ceiling fans are being removed now as resorts undergo refurbishment, and I’m praying that the motion sensors go with them. Otherwise requests for Housekeeping to provide a box fan are sure to increase!