Article: The “Idiot Check” I Do Before Leaving Any Hotel Room

[AFF Editor]

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https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/?p=113340

The “Idiot Check” I Do Before Leaving Any Hotel Room is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

The "Idiot Check" I Do Before Leaving Any Hotel Room

Leaving something behind in a hotel room makes me feel like an idiot. So before checking out, I always do a final "idiot check". What are your hotel habits?

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You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[kpc]

I'm paranoid about leaving something behind in the room when I checkout of a hotel room. I do multiple checks!

I once left my favourite work jacket in a hotel in Abu Dhabi. I only realised a few days later back in Sydney when I was looking for the jacket for work!

Thinking back, I then remembered hanging it in the hotel cupboard as the weather was too hot to wear. Rang the hotel, and housekeeping confirmed they had found it!

Put a post on a FB forum and a fellow traveller picked it up for me a month or 2 later!

Thanks again @Mickeyc747

 

[flyingfan]

I sometimes use the shoe in the safe trick and it did save me once.

Before leaving I specifically check among other places the:

• minibar
• hook behind the bathroom door and any other hooks in the bathroom
• closet
• sockets especially near the desk
• bedsheets especially for any white-coloured clothes of ours

We've left things in these places - well +1 did, but then it becomes a 'we' problem

 

[RooFlyer]

To avoid leaving cords behind …. The good old flagging tape still has some uses. Also helps on planes.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I just avoid spreading things out:

• Keep as many things in my suitcase/bag,
• Use the wardrobe only for hanging clothes.
• All toiletries are kept in a wash bag next to the sink and I ensure to put everything back in there when using (mine has loop on the outside to slide in wet things like toothbrushes, razors etc to let them dry)
• Avoid using drawers, especially deep ones where things can slide to the back
• Never put anything under the bed.
• I generally only take out one set of cables/chargers so I know to take them out when I leave the room

That's just me, but when the family comes around, my OCD kicks in!

 

[kimstephens2]

I am bigger idiot. I do the check twice.

 

[Mocha]

Many years ago my dad, whose name is Walter, left his dressing gown behind. He ended up getting it back, but since then he would open every drawer, cupboard, etc before leaving the room. I ended up doing the same, even if I was convinced I hadn’t used that drawer. I have found many items (my own and those of friends) and this process is now affectionately called ‘Waltering’. Many of my friends have now adopted this and will tell me that they have ‘Waltered’ the bathroom, but not yet the bedroom. It is a wonderful way of remembering my dad, who passed 5 years ago

 

[jveevers]

I once left my favourite jacket in a hotel in St Moritz but didnt realise until the next day when I was 300km away in Italy.
I called the hotel and they had found it.
As I was due to return to Australia in 2 days they offered to mail it to me which they did. I did offer to pay but they declined to accept any money and jacket arrived within a week.

Another time I left a small video camera at a restaurant in Cancun.
I was on a cruise and didnt notice until we had left port.
I emailed them and yes they had found it.
The owner had a brother living in Australia who would be visiting them in a couple of weeks and they would get him to bring it back to Sydney and then mail it to me in Perth.
I had it within 6 weeks. Awesome.

 

[downundermm]

Never leave in rush is a good rule. I do my “final check” before leaving my accommodation I pack up everything and I place all my items at the door, then I do a final check through every room/area and hanging space. I never use draws in any accommodation. It’s just piece of mind that I have all my belongings.

 

[outthere1000]

Recently I left not one but two sun hats hanging on hooks by the room door at a Premier Inn at LHR. Because it was dark when I left the room very early, I walked straight past them. I didn't see them when I packed the night before because the hooks were obscured by a very small clothes rack that stuck out into the room. I wrote the hats off because they'd cost very little, though one had some sentimental value. Definitely a failure to do a proper check, which is definitely idiot behaviour.

 

[Flying Fox]

Our family calls it the 'once over'.

Generally once we are all packed, I yell out - 'let's do a once over' and everyone starts going through every room and every drawer, cupboard, powerpoint and under beds etc etc etc. Generally we assign people specific rooms of responsibility to search.

We have saved a few things from getting left behind this way.

This is SOP for us

 

[2APlease]

I now use a flash light when checking the room safe as my credit card holder was hiding in the dark and got missed when I left. That was in Japan and I only realised on landing in Melbourne.