Things Everyone Should Do Before Checking Out of a Hotel

For some of you, checking out of a hotel may merely involve packing your suitcase, ordering up an Uber ride to the airport and then slipping out the front door without anyone noticing, except perhaps the doorman who will tell you to "stay with us again next time."

Other folks might take a little longer to get ready for check-out, often staying past the designated check-out hour only finally exiting after housekeeping (and sometimes, security) have told them that it's time to go.

But no matter what kind of checker-outer you are, 

here are 5 Things You Should Do Before You Check-Out.

1. Do a sweep of the room. Lift the blankets, look under the bed, pull out the drawers, check the bathroom (even in the shower) and peep in the closets (don't forget the safe too!) Our experience has been if you leave it behind, you will likely never see it again.

2. Grab your chargers. While you may sweep the room for obvious belongings--toiletries, clothing, jewelry, books--don't forget to check the outlets for all your chargers whether it be for a phone, tablet or computer. Fortunately, more and more hotels are putting outlets above desks and next to the nightstand so we no longer have to unplug a random floor lamp in the corner just to charge our phone. And having more visible outlets will mean we're less likely of leaving behind our chargers.

3. Collect your souvenirs. We're not being cheap by grabbing everything that's available to take in the hotel room. No, not at all. Rather, it's a way for us to remember our hotel stay (ok, and maybe go a little longer without having to buy new lotion.) Notepads, stationary, pencils, pens, slippers (but not the robes or they will charge you), toiletries, room keys and even the plastic laundry bags are all ways to "remember" a hotel stay, even a crappy one.

4. Review your expenses. If you bought something in your hotel room--WiFi, minibar snacks, or room service-you should always review your charges. Hotels make "mistakes" all the time, usually in the form of double-billing. For instance, you ordered a movie on-demand but the hotel charged you twice. You used the WiFi for one day, the hotel dinged you for two days. You grabbed a Snickers from the minibar, the hotel charged you for the Snickers and the Peanut M&Ms that were next to it. (Darn, sensor-operated minibars!) If you're leaving early in the morning, review the charges with the front desk the night before. It's a bit of a pain but resolving bill charges after you check-out is even more annoying.

5. Tip your housekeeper. If a housekeeper came by and made your bed, replaced your towels and generally straightened up your sh*t, they deserve a tip, especially if they did it a few days in a row. The general rule of thumb is a couple of dollars each day. And you should leave that tip out each day, in a clearly marked spot (perhaps with a note), so that the housekeeper cleaning your room on that very day gets it. But we've also been known to drop a fiver before checking out to make up for the days when we didn't have cash. We also like to gather up all the towels and put them in a pile near the door to help out the housekeeper. But that may also be because we've have strange neat freak tendencies.