I hate hotels.
That’s probably not entirely true, but it’s how I feel right now after a shower fight. Having spent the past few months travelling and staying in a wide range of hotels, I’ve started noticing the small details that can make or break a stay.
Some hotels were lovely. Many were just… fine. But so often I find myself wondering: does the person who designed the room ever actually sleep in it?
Because if they did, they’d notice the problems.
If you’re researching what to look for in a hotel room, here are a few things that don’t always make the glossy photos—but definitely affect your stay.
Shower Problems in Hotels
Let’s start with one of the most common hotel room problems: the shower.
Have you ever turned on a hotel shower and been blasted with boiling water? On the plus side, at least there is hot water. The downside is that to turn it down, you have to put your hand through what feels like lava.
Good luck with that.
Then there are the showers that take ages to respond. You turn the temperature down… wait… nothing happens… turn it a bit more… still nothing… and then suddenly—freezing water. So you turn it back the other way and start again.
The one that annoyed me most recently managed to combine everything. It was far too hot, refused to cool down, and flooded the bathroom floor at the same time. The showerhead was positioned so that the water bounced straight off me and onto the floor outside the screen.
I spent the whole time worrying I’d flood the room below.
And then there are the multi-head showers. In several hotels in Asia, we had three showerheads—one for your feet, one for a normal shower, and one for a rain shower. Sounds luxurious, but it turns into a guessing game.
It shouldn’t be that complicated to have a shower.
Bedside Tables (or Lack of Them)
This is a simple one—but surprisingly common.
Why do some hotels only put a table on one side of the bed?
If you’re thinking about what makes a good hotel room, this is one of those small but important details. Most people want to put something by the bed—a phone, glasses, maybe a book.
I usually end up improvising with a suitcase or a chair. It works, but it shouldn’t be necessary.
Hotel Light Switch Confusion
Hotel lighting often feels like a puzzle.
Many rooms only have power when you insert your key card—but sometimes the slot is hidden behind the door, leaving you stumbling around in the dark trying to find it. I nearly walked into a pillar doing exactly that.
Then there are rooms where the only light switch is by the door. So you turn the light off… and then have to find your way back to bed in the dark.
We’ve also played what I call the “light switch game”—lying in bed, trying to turn everything off with the nearby switches. One switch turns everything off, another turns the main light back on, and you have no idea which is which. When my husband David tries to do the same thing with his switches, we usually get even more confused.
In one hotel, I couldn’t even find the switch for a lamp—until I realised it worked by clapping or tapping it.
Fun once I knew. Less fun when I didn’t.
Power Sockets and Charging Problems
If you travel regularly, this one will sound familiar.
Everyone wants a plug socket near the bed—ideally with a USB port. Yet in many hotels, finding a usable socket can feel like a game of hide-and-seek.
Sometimes it’s under a table, sometimes behind furniture. Occasionally, you have to move half the furniture to plug something in.
And then there’s the issue of plug adapters—not enough space, sockets too loose, plugs falling out. We’ve even built small “shelves” out of whatever we can find to support them.
We now travel with adapters, power banks, long cables, and even an extension lead.
We really shouldn’t have to.
Strange Hotel Room Artwork Choices
I don’t usually pay much attention to hotel artwork—but some places make that impossible.
We’ve encountered strange wooden structures with hoses attached (still no idea why) and bright metal lights shining directly into our eyes. It was meant to be mood lighting; it did work if the aim was a bad mood. Several hotels had large portraits of women staring at us from across the room.
Something is unsettling about being watched while you’re trying to relax—or worse, get dressed.
Open Plan Bathrooms in Hotels
In the late 1990’s, someone decided hotel bathrooms should be separated from the bedroom by a wall with a glass window or an opening with lattice shutters.
I understand the idea: make the room feel bigger and brighter. But in reality, it can be awkward—especially when travelling with family.
If you’re booking a hotel, this is definitely something to check in the photos.
I don’t particularly want to have a conversation with my husband while sitting on the toilet.
Frosted glass helps a bit. A blind helps more. But often neither is quite enough. I’ve taken to carrying a lightweight sarong to create some privacy when needed.
The Good Hotels (What Makes a Hotel Worth It)
Not all hotels are bad. Some are so good I could happily live in them.
The best ones often have beautiful views, great pools, and thoughtful touches. I’ve stayed in places where we were greeted with music, ceremonies, or simply a comfortable seat and a cup of coffee at check-in.
Good service makes a huge difference—although occasionally it’s a bit overenthusiastic. I don’t really need someone to rush over and pour milk into my coffee or push the lift button for me.
Hotel Extras That Make a Difference
There are a few things that will always influence my hotel choice:
24-hour hotel stays
Perfect if you arrive early after a long flight and want to catch up on sleep. You get to check out 24 hours after you check in, and you can check in anytime.
Free afternoon tea
Always a bonus—whether it’s a formal setup or a help-yourself buffet. Sometimes it is when we are out sightseeing, but if we can arrange our schedule around it, we can save money on dinner.
Free food in the room
Fruit, biscuits, chocolate—it always feels like a treat. I know the food isn’t really free, as you paid for it in your hotel bill, but it still feels the same as when you discover a £10 note in your trouser pocket. It makes you feel good, even when you know it is yours.
Summary: How to Choose the Right Hotel
Two weeks ago, I stayed in another hotel from the same chain as the one I am in now. At first glance, the rooms looked identical—but that one was much better.
Why?
Clear shower controls. No flooding. USB sockets on both sides of the bed.
Small details—but they made a big difference.
That’s really what it comes down to. A good hotel doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to be practical.
If you’re trying to choose the right hotel, don’t just rely on rankings. Read longer reviews and look for comments about real experiences. You’ll soon get a feel for whether it belongs in the good, the bad… or the ugly.
Don’t forget to study the travellers’ photos, not the professionals’. Can you see a window between the bathroom and bedroom, or is a bedside table missing on one side? Although the big things like location and price affect our hotel choice, sometimes it’s the small, unexpected details that annoy us the most.
A good hotel can make your trip. A bad one can quietly ruin it.
So it’s worth doing your research—and paying attention to the little things.
Enjoy your next hotel stay. I hope it is one you remember with pleasure and not frustration.
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