Ever wonder why you've never stayed in a hotel room on the 13th floor? The answer is simple: The floor doesn't exist. It all comes down to triskaidekaphobia, or the fear of the number 13.
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As a result, the number four is considered unlucky, so they'll sometimes skip it when numbering hotel and hospital floors. This isn't just a Japanese phenomenon; many tall buildings in the West don't have a 13th floor because the number 13 is considered unlucky.
Hotels, in particular, have been impacted by the superstition surrounding the 13th floor. Some hotels skip the 13th floor entirely, while others may use it for storage or other purposes. However, there are also hotels that embrace the superstition and market their 13th floor as a unique and exclusive experience.
The best floors in a hotel to stay in for safety and convenience are the second, third, and fourth floors. They are high enough in the building to avoid most burglaries but not too high in case of a fire. They are also more convenient than higher floors for entering and leaving the hotel.
Hotel policies on additional guests can vary widely. While some hotels may allow a certain number of guests per room at no extra charge, others may charge a fee for any additional person, regardless of their age. Some hotels may even have strict occupancy limits to maintain the comfort and safety of all guests.
Some hotels require you to be at least 21 to avoid issues like underage drinking and damage to hotel property. Because checking into a hotel is like entering a contract, they want to be sure that you can be held responsible for any damages you might cause. The hotel also wants to avoid higher insurance rates.
THEY KNOW. According to a Miami-based company called Linen Tracking Technology, a lot of hotels stitch tiny microchips into their towels, robes, pillowcases, cloth napkins and other linens. The LinenTracker chips are currently being used in over 2,000 hotels--but don't ask which ones.
But it doesn't stop there – the number 13 itself is considered unlucky which is why it is rare to spot a restaurant that has a table #13, a hospital with a room or bed bearing the number 13, a hotel with a 13th floor or a room number 13. How does this superstition affect hotels? Here's the thing.
As travelling salesmen, the founders of The Gideons International knew a thing or two about life on the road. They understood that people, far from home, might seek comfort or solace in the familiar words of the Bible. By 1908, they began placing Bibles in hotel rooms.
Some famous buildings buck the trend, however: New York City's Flatiron Building, Empire State Building, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and all Hilton International hotels all have 13th floors.
Do hotels have security cameras in the hallways or corridors? The answer is “Yes” and “No”. Nowadays, most hotels have management security camera systems to record and monitor the hallways. If hotels don't have security cameras in the hallways, the entrances and stairwells will be covered by the “digital eyes”.
Keep an eye out for the person you're looking for or their car. Check for Signs of Occupancy: If you're not able to observe the person directly, look for signs of occupancy in the hotel room. For example, you may see luggage, toiletries, or other personal items in the room.
Trump skipped the 13th floor for superstition's sake and a few more for marketing's sake. There are 43 floors, but the elevators go up to 46. Or take the Trump International Hotel and Tower, the hotel and residential building on Columbus Circle that was, pre-Trump, the 44-story Gulf & Western office building.