Free Special Requests at Hotels: Common Requests & How to Ask for Them

How far will your hotel go to make you feel special during your stay? If you need a laugh for the day, reading r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk and r/AskHotels Reddit forums can provide endless chuckles about special requests for hotels that guests make. While many of these are one-off occurrences, you’ll discover many special requests are actually quite common and have a higher likelihood of the hotel staff satisfying your request.

If you’re traveling soon, give your hotel a chance to go above and beyond with customer service by including a special request in your reservation. Hotels receiving direct booking reservations are more likely to deliver exceptional value to travelers who book directly with them.

What’s Considered a Special Request at a Hotel?

Guests make special requests for hotels to personalize their stay. These requests are anything outside of the hotel’s amenities and typical rules of conduct, and they may or may not be granted. Requests such as room upgrades and early check-in are hotel perks available to all guests.

On the other hand, some special requests involve one-of-a-kind treatments that go beyond the scope of work for the hotel staff. It’s essential to note that special requests for hotels are not always acknowledged, depending on the kind of request. Therefore, getting your request fulfilled feels like a special event worthy of a smile.

Examples of Common Special Requests at Hotels

Some special requests are more common than others. While hotel staff have all seen their fair share of quirky, unorthodox requests from guests willing to push the limits, here is a list of more common special requests that have a higher chance of being fulfilled.

1. Birthday surprise

 Make your birthday vacation even more special with a surprise waiting in your hotel room. Guests may receive a birthday card signed by the hotel staff, balloons, or even a birthday cupcake to help celebrate.

2. Wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, or romantic requests

Let the sparks fly during your special occasion with that special someone, with rose petals decorating the bed, a warm bubble bath prepared upon your arrival, champagne with a special message, and many other special touches that scream romance. 

According to The Knot, the best way to secure special requests when planning a wedding or other special romantic occasion is through direct contact with the hotel.

3. Room with a specific view

Do you want an ocean view? Do you prefer to wake up to views of the hotel garden? Or, maybe a front-facing view to spy on when your food delivery order is arriving. If available, you can be treated to a hotel room with the perfect view.

4. Room on a preferred floor

There are endless reasons to favor a specific hotel floor. For example, hotel guests with superstitions can request a room on any floor except 13 or guests afraid of heights can opt for a ground-level room. 

If you plan to spend a lot of time at the hotel’s gym or pool, consider shortening your travel time by requesting a room on the same floor as your favorite amenities. 

5. Rooms with a specific location

There’s no need to study your hotel’s floor plan (although it’s typically provided on the back of your room door). However, if you’d like a quieter stay, request a room away from the elevator and ice machine. 

6. Accessibility room features

If you or someone in your travel group has an intellectual, developmental, or physical disability or requires additional features, the special requests section is the perfect place to make this known. 

Many hotels offer rooms with accessibility features, such as assisted bathtubs, additional railings, lower beds and counters, ground-floor locations, and easy access from accessible parking spaces.

7. Extra towels and pillows

If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel room with a big family, then you know that you can never have enough towels and pillows. 

This special request can be made after you’ve already checked in and noticed that you don’t have enough to accommodate the number of guests staying with you. The person who gets stuck with sleeping on the couch will greatly appreciate it. 

8. Extra hotel key card

Most hotels give two hotel key cards during check-in. If you have more people staying in the room, requesting additional key cards can be helpful so everyone has access to the room and amenities such as the gym, pool, and elevator.

9. Pet treats or dog bowl

If you’re looking for pet-friendly hotels, you can make special requests on behalf of your furry friend. Most pet-friendly hotels simply allow pets in the room. However, properties that excel in pet-friendliness can welcome your pet with pet treats and a water bowl. 

10. Baby crib

Traveling with babies or toddlers can be a hassle. Luckily, your hotel can make family travel more relaxing by providing a rollaway baby crib in your room. Your baby will be ready to catch some sleep after a long travel day, so there’s nothing like checking into your hotel room and already having the crib set up.

11. Wake-up call

Are you the type that sleeps through their alarm clock? Don’t miss your early flight or business meeting by requesting that the front desk call you at your preferred time to ensure you’re ready for a productive day.

12. Removal of room items

Requesting additional items may incur extra costs, but removing items is much simpler for the hotel staff to manage. For example, guests with strict religious practices may prefer not to have a Bible on the nightstand. Also, some hotel room furniture may be removed to allow more space for your luggage.

13. Housekeeping

Hotels are progressively becoming more eco-conscious. As a result, many properties, including major chains under the Hilton brand, have shifted to providing housekeeping every other day. If you need a special cleaning, submit this special request, and they’ll be right up to refresh your room.

How to Ask for a Special Request at a Hotel

The secret to getting your hotel special request granted—ask! The way you ask can impact the likelihood of the hotel staff honoring your request. Here are some tips to get what you want. 

Consider how you book

Booking hotels directly establishes a direct connection between the guest and the property. When you book through an online travel agency (OTA), you may lose out on direct communication with the hotel. 

According to HOTREC research, direct booking channels such as hotel websites, phone calls, and walk-ins remain the most popular way to book, instantly connecting you to hotel personnel to make special requests. Hotel official websites typically feature a special requests box on the reservation form to submit your requests. 

DirectBooker is developing AI-powered tools that make it even easier to connect directly with hotels. By integrating verified hotel data into conversational AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini, these tools will soon help travelers compare properties, view amenities, and communicate special requests directly with the hotel, all in one seamless experience.

Choose a more upscale hotel

Hotels in the luxury category are designed to deliver exceptional and personalized guest experiences. They are more likely to accommodate special requests made by guests, ensuring they get the most value from their stay.

Be a frequent guest

Hotels are always happy to see returning guests. Special requests made by frequent guests or those who belong to the hotel’s loyalty program are more likely to be honored.

Work with a travel agent with a hotel relationship

Many travel agents establish relationships with hotels in their respective service areas. As a token of appreciation for directing guests to their properties, hotels often prioritize satisfying requests made by the agent.

Call the front desk during your stay

Some special requests are best done after you’ve checked in. Make a quick call to the front desk for common requests, such as extra towels or housekeeping services.

Book Your Next Stay with a Special Request

Special requests for hotels are often overlooked by guests. However, they don’t go unnoticed by the hotel staff. Personalize your next stay by booking directlyand making a special request. DirectBooker is working to make this process even easier by connecting travelers and hotels through AI-powered platforms, so you can share your requests, get clarity on amenities, and enjoy a more personal experience from the start.

Sources

Hall, Diane. “This Is How to Reserve Wedding Hotel Room Blocks.” The Knot, updated 4 Jan. 2024, https://www.theknot.com/content/hotel-room-blocks-101. 

Hilton. “Hilton’s Housekeeping Policy.” Hilton, n.d., https://www.hilton.com/en/help-center/hotel-information/hiltons-housekeeping-policy/.

HOTREC. “Digital Trends in Accommodation: Hotels, Booking.com and DMA.” HOTREC, 2 July 2024, https://www.hotrec.eu/en/news/digital_trends_in_accommodation_hotels_booking-com_and_dma_.html.

Bryan Shelmon

Bryan Shelmon is a travel writer with bylines in Lonely Planet, Midwest Living, and Wanderlust, known for immersive storytelling shaped by long-term travel across 25+ countries. He combines a background in business with nearly a decade of freelance experience, collaborating with tourism boards and capturing culture through art, language, and local exploration.

Our editorial process: DirectBooker curates insights from global hospitality experts and our network of industry insiders. Articles undergo rigorous fact-checking and quality review before publication, ensuring authentic, actionable advice for savvy travelers.