Expedia.com® releases results of the 2016 Expedia Hotel Etiquette Study

Americans split on whether to tip housekeeping but nearly unanimous in demanding complimentary Wi-Fi

Bellevue, Wash., 2016-Aug-15 — /Travel PR News/ — Expedia.com^® today released the results of the 2016 Expedia Hotel Etiquette Study, which asked 1,018 Americans to identify the features and amenities they prioritize when booking a hotel, as well as the guest behaviors they find most aggravating.

The study was commissioned by Expedia and executed by GfK, an independent global market research company. The study found that Americans who have stayed in a hotel at least once in the past two years disagree about the protocol of tipping hotel employees, but wholeheartedly agree on the importance of complimentary Wi-Fi. It revealed the behaviors that most infuriate guests and the amenities that most please them.

A full analysis of the 2016 Expedia Hotel Etiquette Study can be found at the Expedia Viewfinder® blog.

Parents: Please Pay Attention

For the second straight year, “inattentive parents” top the list of people whose behavior aggravates their fellow guests, cited by 72 percent of Americans, narrowly edging “hallway hellraisers” on the list of inappropriate behaviors. The ten least popular fellow hotel guests in the Expedia Hotel Etiquette Study are:

1. Inattentive Parents 72 percent
2. Hallway Hellraisers 69 percent
3. In-Room Revelers 59 percent
4. Complainers 53 percent
5. Bickerers 35 percent
6. The Loudly Amorous 29 percent
7. Poolside Partiers 28 percent
8. Hot Tub Canoodlers 22 percent
9. Business Bar Boozers 17 percent
10. Elevator Chatterbox 9 percent

The study revealed that 18 percent of study respondents have asked to switch hotel rooms because of “noisy neighbors.” John Morrey, vice president and general manager of Expedia.com, noted that thoughtful behavior is paramount in an environment like a hotel. “The hotel experience is one that many people love. Fresh towels, a comfortable made bed, room service at the ready, it can be a deeply enjoyable experience. But it’s vital to remember that you’re not staying there by yourself, you are surrounded by hundreds of people who have paid to share that space. Conscientiousness makes all the difference.”

To Tip or Not to Tip

Americans are divided on whether to tip housekeeping – or whether to tip at all. Thirty percent claim that don’t tip anyone during a hotel stay. Among those who tip, the most-tipped hotel employee is the housekeeper (46 percent), followed by the room service attendant (40 percent). Thirty percent tip the valet and only 20 percent tip the porter. Ten percent tip the concierge.

Americans were also asked about temptations to misbehave during a hotel stay. In response, 24 percent admit to “hoarding” toiletries to take home with them. Eleven percent have let multiple people sleep in their room without notifying the hotel, and 10 percent have taken items from their hotel room without permission.

As it relates to more illicit activity, Americans are largely well-behaved. Only 4 percent have smoked in a non-smoking room. Three percent have “deliberately eavesdropped on a neighboring room.” Two percent have attended a hotel party that left the room in disarray, and the same percent of Americans admit to having been locked out of their hotel room wearing just a bathrobe.

Thirty-one percent of respondents claim to have booked a hotel room for the express purpose of being intimate with someone.

Wi-Fi > Location

When asked about the factors that are “very important” in choosing a hotel, price remains the top consideration, selected by 73 percent of respondents. Complimentary Wi-Fi ranks second (63 percent), followed by “location” (61 percent), “reviews” (43 percent) and “parking options” (38 percent).

The ability to earn hotel rewards points and the hotel brand itself were deemed very important by only 20 percent and 18 percent of hotel visitors, respectively.

Wi-Fi was also selected as the top hotel amenity, deemed very/somewhat important by 88 percent of respondents. A full 97 percent of respondents believe Wi-Fi should be provided by the hotel at no charge. An in-room fridge (81 percent), complimentary toiletries (80 percent) and a pool (59 percent) round out the top four preferred amenities.

About the Survey

The study was conducted online using the GfK “KnowledgePanel,” an online probability-based panel designed to be representative of the US general population, not just the online population. The study consisted of 1,018 interviews of randomly selected U.S. adult residents, conducted between July 8-10, 2016, among adults aged 18+.

About Expedia.com
Expedia.com® is one of the world’s largest full service travel sites, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (https://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of top vacation destinations, cheap tickets, hotel deals, car rentals, destination weddings, cruise deals and in-destination activities, attractions, services and travel apps. With the Expedia® Best Price Guarantee, Expedia.com customers can get the best rates available online for all types of travel.

Expedia, Expedia.com, Expedia+, Find Yours, Vacation Deprivation, Expedia Viewfinder and the Airplane logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners © 2016 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST # 2029030-50.

SOURCE: Expedia.com
Web site: https://www.expedia.com/

For more information, please contact:

Dave McNamee                                  Maureen Thon
Expedia.com                                       HL Group

(917) 332-5039                                   (646) 375-4027

dmcnamee@expedia.com                mthon@hlgrp.com

SOURCE: Expedia, Inc.

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