Pillow Menus, Blankets, and Extra Pillows
Confession: I didn’t even know pillow menus were a thing till, like, year four of traveling for work. Not just five-star stuff either. Ask for a “pillow menu” and sometimes they’ll print out a whole list—memory foam, down, hypoallergenic, even lavender-scented. I’ve had a little cart roll up with options. Absurd, but I’m not complaining. Boutique and chain hotels sometimes quietly offer them to anyone who seems like they’d know to ask. No sign, no mention—just gotta ask.
Extra pillows? Blankets? Even if it’s the middle of summer, they’ll bring you a stack. Once I asked for two, got four, and an apology for “not having more.” Like, was there a pillow shortage? A Westin clerk randomly offered me a heated throw when I complained about the AC. Never saw that on a list. If you hate your pillow, just ask for a different one. Staff will totally tell you their opinions, too—sometimes helpful, sometimes just weird.
Premium Perks at Luxury Hotels
I walk up to the desk, and the agent is already scrolling through screens, probably dreading my questions. I’m not just there for the welcome chocolate, let’s be real. Apparently, most people don’t realize you can just ask for more. Especially at luxury places, where the rules are bendy if you sound confident enough. There’s always a policy, but there’s also a loophole, and I live for loopholes.
Exclusive Room Categories
So, picture this: front desk manager is doing the screen shuffle, couple next to me fighting about slippers, and I’m just like, “Hey, any upgrades for returning guests?” Three out of four times, I got bumped up—once to a Spa Suite, which honestly felt like a prank.
This Genius Level 3 thing supposedly gives you a 20% better shot at upgrades, but nobody ever tells you. You have to bring it up yourself, or joke about being an influencer or something. There are paid programs like PrivateUpgrades—super niche, kind of sketchy, but they work. I ended up in a “Concierge Wellness Studio” once. Not even sure what that means, but it was fancy. Hotels hold back a few rooms just in case, so if you ask with the right mix of “I belong here” and “I’m not a jerk,” you’ll probably get something. Sometimes I forget if I’m gaming the system or just annoying everyone, but hey, it works.
Drink Vouchers and Complimentary Treats
I get the one drink voucher, roll my eyes, and ask if they have any local gin or, I don’t know, Friday snacks. Suddenly, I’ve got two cocktail credits and a plate of snacks that aren’t even on the menu. Not every place wants to hand out Red Bull or artisanal cheese, but if you ask about “chef’s table” nights or secret minibar codes, weird stuff happens.
People in the know always push it: coffee capsules, weird European chocolate, sometimes even a “nightcap hour” with free whiskey. Bartenders have told me Americans never want the kombucha flights, which is wild. I’ll try anything once, even if it’s gross. The more random the request, the better the perk. Sometimes I leave with a stomachache but, you know, good story.
Travel Tech Gadgets and Convenient Amenities
I pack six charging cables, still forget the one I actually need—classic. Turns out, hotels sometimes have exactly what I’m missing, but only if I ask. Front desk staff either hand it over or just sigh because someone beat me to it. Not fair, but whatever.
Borrowing Tech Accessories
I lose my HDMI adapter on every trip, I swear. Maybe hotel safes eat them? Anyway, some hotels keep a secret stash—chargers, headphones, USB hubs—just ask. Officially, they won’t confirm what they have, but unofficially, they’re relieved if you ask for the right thing. One Hilton manager said they get ten MacBook adapter requests a day.
Stop wasting money at the airport. Big chains and even some indie hotels are getting better about this. I read somewhere (hotel tech services) that if you mention your device, some hotels log it for next time. I once borrowed a light therapy alarm clock—didn’t help, but it was free, so whatever. But return stuff on time, or they’ll slap a $75 “lost item” fee on your bill months later. Learned that the hard way.
In-Room Chargers and Adapters
Bedside charging stations never match the photos. Sometimes there’s one outlet, hidden behind a dresser. Sometimes, miracle of miracles, there’s a wireless charging pad that actually works. I’ve seen it maybe twice. Fancy hotel gadgets are a myth half the time. You get a weird mix of USB-A, USB-C, “universal” adapters that don’t fit anything.
Plug in too many things and you’ll probably blow a fuse. I asked a Marriott engineer what they do—he just shrugged and said, “We keep spares at the desk.” If you see a multi-port hub, ask for a portable battery too. Never trust the clock’s USB port. And if you want to stream your own Netflix, ask for the right HDMI cable at check-in. They won’t offer unless you know exactly what you need.
Transportation Services and Local Guide Assistance
Every time I’m in a hotel lobby, someone asks me about the shuttle like I work there. Honestly, it’s not obvious what’s free or even available unless you ask. But there are a bunch of perks that’ll save you money and keep you from looking like a tourist.
Arranging Free or Discounted Transportation
Ever notice how the front desk never mentions the shuttle unless you ask? It’s wild. Airport rides, downtown vans, whatever—usually not advertised. You have to bug them about it. “Is there a shuttle or a discount on local rides?” Just say it.
Once in Orlando, the van was just sitting there, no sign, nothing. Clerk finally told me you have to sign up in advance, but other guests said you could just hop in. Honestly, just ask. Some hotels quietly include free or discounted transportation that isn’t on the site. Sometimes they have flat-rate taxi deals too. Oh, and Uber is not always cheaper after midnight, no matter what Reddit says.
Access to Local Guides and Insider Tips
Some desperate dad from Milwaukee once begged me for “real stuff to do in town”—made me realize how few hotels actually help with that. If I hear “check the tourist desk” one more time, I’m out. But if you ask the right person, they’ll set up free walking tours, hook you up with a private guide, or even arrange dinner with the chef if you sound like you know what you’re doing.
Forget the brochures. Just talk to the front desk, mention something specific (“I want a real jazz bar, not tourist garbage”) and suddenly you get secret Facebook invites or the bartender’s cousin’s number. Mark Hall—some hospitality consultant—claims staff love giving real tips if they think you’ll tip or leave a good review. That checks out. I’ve gotten early museum access, random local contacts, the works. If you don’t ask, you get nothing. If you do, sometimes it’s chaos, but usually worth it.
