Cleaning up after other people means seeing some pretty weird things. A group of housekeepers gathered their collective advice on what we should and shouldn't do when we pay to stay.
What's the most bizarre thing housekeepers have found in a hotel room?
A pet snake. A lizard. A crack pipe. Then there's the second tier of stuff: Teddy bears — left by adults, not kids. False teeth.
Do housekeepers have a contest for finding the weirdest stuff?
No. Our housekeeper association members are professionals who take an unwritten oath of confidentiality. Items are found, tagged, logged and turned in to security.
What should you do if you leave your false teeth behind and want them back?
Call Lost & Found at the hotel.
What's the bad habit you wish hotel guests would break?
Smoking in the bathroom.
What happens to smokers when you catch them?
Usually, we find out after the guest checks out. We then charge his or her credit card. We take photos of the ashes and butts.
Are those bottled waters at the bar always free? How can a cheapskate be sure?
They are not always free, so to avoid an unexpected charge, read the tent card in the room to be sure. Fiji Water is the most popular item purchased from the in-room bar. They've been successful at marketing.
How often are the glasses at the bar washed?
Daily, if used. They have to be washed in a dishwasher.
