It all comes down to triskaidekaphobia, or the fear of the number 13.
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While some hotels avoid having a 13th floor, others are choosing to skip the number 420, in order to deter cannabis smokers. To most people it means nothing, but the number 420 has a long association with cannabis and is often used as a code for those in the know.
Instead, they sometimes exclude the 4th floor, as the pronunciation of 'four' in Mandarin, Cantonese, and several other languages sounds similar to the word for 'death.' The MGM Grand in Las Vegas famously renumbered its floors because many of its guests were from Asia, where 4 is considered unlucky.
Reasons for omitting a thirteenth floor include triskaidekaphobia on the part of the building's owner or builder, or a desire by the building owner or landlord to prevent problems that may arise with superstitious tenants, occupants, or customers.
Why Hotels Skip the 13th Floor. As to not alienate guests with triskaidekaphobia, or the fear of the number 13, many hotel contractors just leave out the floor altogether.
For example, hotels may toss perishable items like food and alcohol after 24 hours and may keep clothing items for three months. Some things, like electronics, may wait for their owner in a bin for up to six months.
If the holding period passes and nobody reaches out to claim the items, it's up to the hotel to decide what to do with them. Some hotels throw away the items, while others allow staff members to keep them if they wish.Additionally, the hotel may donate the items to a local charity.
The key entry system indicates entry/exit. Many newer hotels have motion sensors on their wall mounted thermostats - this is used for both energy savings and safety. They're called Occupant Control Systems, and can be used by house keeping to determine whether a room is occupied - the sensor is on the lower right.
In fact, most hotels do not use any type of camera surveillance in their guestrooms or other private spaces. If you are concerned about your privacy while staying at a hotel, be sure to ask the front desk staff if there are any cameras present before booking your room.
Another way hotels can tell if you smoked if by the damage. Nicotine from cigarettes stain surfaces yellow and brown. These stains will be especially visible on light-colored surfaces like walls, ceilings, counters, and floors. Housekeepers may also even notice the stains on the carpets or bedding.
Refusing to leave a hotel room can have legal consequences. Hotel policies and local laws may vary, but generally, if you refuse to leave after being asked to do so by hotel management or law enforcement, you could be charged with trespassing or even arrested for disorderly conduct.
Some hotels may simply charge you for the cost of the towel, while others may impose additional fees or penalties. In extreme cases, taking hotel towels can even lead to legal action. It's not worth the risk! Additionally, hotels often keep track of their inventory, including towels.
Hotels keep a record of guests who trash hotel rooms or steal items, and they might ban those people from booking rooms again. In rare scenarios, some people could get arrested.
I've Done This. The next time you're staying at a hotel, when done with your towel, leave it hanging or on the sink. It's one less towel the staff need to pick up from the floor. It's a small act but can make a difference.
Anything that's complimentary is free for you to snag. This includes the mini bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, coffee, packets of creamer and sugar, and other bathroom amenities. The slippers will get thrown away after you leave, so it's fine if you want to pack them away for later use.
Floors three through six are generally the safest floors to stay on in cities with modernized fire fighting equipment, or floors three to four in destinations without. These levels are the sweet spot of being in a good position to evacuate quickly, without being easily accessible from the outside.
What is the best floor to stay on at a hotel? You also don't want to be on the ground floor, according to former soldier and current tourist risk expert Lloyd Figgins. Figgins explains that the third floor of the hotel is the safest bet for two safety reasons.