Enjoying a Winter Vacation

Shhh… Tips For Dealing With Noisy Neighbors At A Hotel

If you find yourself being awoken by noises, sounds, or disruptions from neighbors at a hotel, think before you act. Since you really have no idea who you might be dealing with, there are some recommended responses to these scenarios that will be effective, while not putting you in harm's way. Don't stew on the issue; respond promptly and courteously so that you can get back to your bed and get a good night's rest.

The best ways to deal with noisy hotel neighbors are:

Just pick up the phone. Let the hotel management do their job. Dial "0" and inform them of the situation. They will most likely dispatch security to the noisy neighbor's door to address the situation. If the sound is bothering you, it likely is disturbing others, too.

Create some white noise. Try a bit of white noise to help drown out the sounds of your noisy neighbors. Turn on the AC unit, bring a portable fan, or invest in a relaxing white noise machine to help lull you back to sleep. You can even download a white noise App for your laptop or smartphone.

Ask about earplugs. Most hotels or inns will provide some earplugs for guests that are having difficulty sleeping amid noisy surroundings. This may also prompt staff to dig-deeper into who and what is causing the commotion.

Ask to switch rooms. If all else fails, contact the hotel manager and request a change of rooms. This may not always be possible, but if you are diplomatic and courteous, it could compel staff to take the issue more seriously. This could be the best resolution, especially if you are planning an extended stay at the establishment.

Some things you should not do when guests disrupt your peace and quiet include:

Go knocking on a stranger's door. Never take it upon yourself to go knocking on neighbors' doors in the middle of the night to quiet them down. This is potentially unsafe and could lead to heated confrontation, which is the last thing you need when trying to get a good night's sleep.

Become aggressive. Hold your tongue and don't become discourteous or aggressive with hotel staff. This will not help resolve the situation, and could result in management asking you to leave the property.

Make demands. Don't demand that the noisy neighbors be moved to a different room. This likely will not happen, and will make you look like a grump.

Don't let noisy neighbors ruin your vacation; talk courteously with hotel staff via the in-room phone first. This may be all that you need to regain quiet and get a good night's sleep. Don't ever take matters into your own hands, as you don't know who or what is waiting on the other side of the hotel door. Pack thoughtfully and take care to bring something, like a sound machine, that will help drown out sounds like traffic, construction, or noisy neighbors when lodging out of town. 


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