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How To Check Into Lodging

November 4, 2020 by Joe and Mary Leave a Comment

I always make advance reservations with special instructions that I might arrive late. I always ask for keys equal to travelers plus one when I check in because I frequently leave my key in the room on an end table, dresser or in the bathroom. I keep the spare key in my wallet to avoid the embarrassment of returning to the front desk to admit I accidently locked my key in the room.  

Here are my idiosyncrasies for checking out a room based on decades of traveling in third world countries and in lower class lodging: On entering the room, I always do the following: 

  1. Look over the room for current occupancy. Check the bathroom and closet as I put my stuff away. On three occasions I have been checked into an already occupied room or had others checked into my room while I was out. It is better to fix this problem immediately. 
  2. I also do a vermin check based on the many rather suspect locations I have stayed. First, I bounce the bed by pounding on it to see if ‘dust’ ejects into the air. On occasion I have found this dust to be fleas and small vermin. If I do see ‘dust’,  I look closer with a small magnifier I carry in my wallet. If the dust is more than dust, and I don’t want to change the room, I sprinkle the bed with the flea and tick powder I usually carry and watch the abandon ship drill. If I have to sprinkle the bed, I pull out my small satin 2-person sleep sack to block the critters. I also lift the corner of the sheet to look at the mattress. If I see small black dots or tiny blood droplets, I immediately suspect bed-bugs, and drag out my magnifier. I then try to change rooms, change hotels or if I have to stay, I sleep in the tub or on the floor in my silk sack. I would never dream of staying at an infested hotel while traveling with Mary. 
  3. I do a security check. I check the door lock, bar lock, and chain lock to ensure they are solid and functional. I also perform many other specialized checks based upon a rather extensive security background that can be summed up as ‘a little paranoia is not so bad’ and be ready for the worst. 
  4. Unpack clothes. I usually roll clothes for each day and put into a Ziplock bag. I empty and place each plastic bag into the drawer as a liner then lay out socks, underwear, and shirts onto the bags in the drawer. I then hang my pants and coat in the closet. I have always felt better by organizing and unpacking my clothes rather than living out of a suitcase half filled with dirty clothes. 
  5. Check the thermostat to ensure the temperature is comfortable, especially in hot weather. 
  6. Lay out my grooming kit in the bathroom and plug in my phone charger. 
  7. Make sure I have my key before leaving the room. Unfortunately, I do not always remember this, and have to use a spare key from my wallet to get back in. 

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