MaNdlovu on The Art of Being a Considerate Hotel Guest

Whenever I hear someone playing music very loudly, I’m reminded of an unfortunate incident during one of my getaways. The guests in the neighbouring room had brought a Bluetooth speaker and were blasting music loud enough for me to hear it clearly from my room. They were having a wonderful time, and in that moment I realised we were there for two very different reasons.

I was there to relax, catch up on sleep, read, and enjoy some quiet time. They, on the other hand, were drinking and celebrating. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that—but were they being considerate to the other guests? I don’t believe so.

This raises the question: what does it actually mean to be a considerate hotel guest?

It’s easy to lose yourself in an environment that feels both shared and indulgent. Hotels have a way of doing that. But being a good guest isn’t just about following the rules; many people don’t, so it’s about awareness. Awareness that, just beyond your door, someone else may be seeking the exact opposite experience to yours.

Noise, in my experience, is the biggest offender. The Bluetooth speaker wasn’t an isolated incident. On another trip, I found myself next door to what I can only describe as a “girls’ trip” - announced at 6am by the popping of champagne bottles, followed by giggling and loud laughter. It may have been a celebration for them, but it was a rude awakening for me.

And it’s not just about what happens in the rooms. Think about how you show up in shared spaces: the pool, the lobby, the restaurant. Are you the person watching TikTok videos at full volume? Are you mindful of the atmosphere around you?

Courtesy also extends beyond fellow guests to the people who make your stay possible. Interactions with hotel staff matter. It’s deeply uncomfortable to witness a guest speaking to a staff member with disrespect. Mistakes happen, and disagreements are inevitable, but basic decency should never be optional. The same respect you show people in your everyday life should apply here too.

I’ve previously written about choosing the right hotel for your purpose, and it feels relevant again. Sometimes you don’t want to be loud, pop bottles, and laugh through the night, especially when there’s something worth celebrating. And that’s perfectly valid.

But perhaps the answer isn’t about suppressing those moments. Perhaps it’s about choosing the right setting for them. A private apartment, a house, or an Airbnb might be better suited to that kind of experience. After all, hotels are shared spaces, even when they feel private.

In the end, being a considerate guest isn’t about being overly cautious or restrained. It’s about balance. It’s about recognising that your stay is just one of many under the same roof—and acting accordingly.

* Sané Ndlovu is a proudly local, globally curious travel writer, PR practitioner, and avid solo traveller.