For more than two-thirds of Britons, the holiday doesn’t really start until they’ve unpacked their bags.
In a survey on travel preferences, 67 percent of respondents said they immediately emptied their suitcase when they got to their hotel room, and 27 percent liked to leave their clothes in their suitcase.
And what do Brits take with them when they travel? Seventeen percent admitted to taking their own tea bags and a fifth (21 percent) their own pillow.
Do Brits like to keep their sheets tightly tucked in? A quarter (25 percent) said they do, while 64 percent said they prefer to tuck them in loosely. Half of Brits will have woken up in the morning by an alarm they set (50 percent), while 32 percent said they prefer to wake up naturally.
In the survey, respondents were also asked Graduated by Hiltonwhether it is acceptable to leave a hotel room in a dressing gown – a fifth (18 percent) said it was, while 63 percent said it was not.
As part of the Graduate by Hilton research, a light-hearted exchange of ideas on hotel etiquette took place between Simon Bird (left) and fellow comedian and Inbetweeners colleague Jessica Knappett (right)
When asked about elevator etiquette, 27 percent said they prefer to have polite conversation with other hotel guests during an elevator ride. Nearly half (48 percent) said they prefer the silence.
In the breakfast room, you need to consider toast conveyor etiquette. Do the settings ever need to be changed? Thirty-eight percent said it’s acceptable to do so, while 27 percent consider it a no-go to tinker with it.
Some hotel breakfast buffets have a ‘to-go’ section. But for 46 per cent of Britons, it’s best to leave it alone, while 44 per cent are happy to plunder.
A light-hearted exchange of views on these points took place in a video entitled ‘The Great Travel Debate’ featuring Simon Bird and fellow comedian and Inbetweeners colleague Jessica Knappett.
Jessica and Simon discussed bathrobe rules, bed sheet layout and more…
Simon says: ‘I like it tight. I like to slide into that bed like a letter in an envelope’
Simon says: ‘You absolutely have to go all out as soon as you enter the room. Put the work in early – the rewards are obvious.’
“No way,” says Jessica. “Unpacking takes away from the quality of your relaxation time. Leave your clothes where they belong—in your suitcase.”
“Let’s talk sheets,” Simon says. “I like it tight. I like it cozy. I like sliding into that bed like a letter in an envelope.”
Jessica replies, “I’m going to untie every inch of those sheets. I need to be free. To stretch out a leg like a normal person.”
She continues, “But what about the dress? You wear that piece of fluffy heaven as often as you can, don’t you?”
Simon replies, “Yes, in the room, of course I am.”
Jessica notes, “I’m everywhere in mine. Down at the front desk. Even at the bar if I need a nightcap.”
Kevin Osterhaus, president of lifestyle brands at Hilton, said: “I’m Team Simon in this debate (sorry Jessica!).
“Working with Simon and Jessica to host The Great Travel Debates was a fantastic way to welcome Graduate to the Hilton family.”
Graduate by Hilton is a ‘globally established brand’ with 34 hotels in university cities. Its two UK properties are in Oxford and Cambridge.
Osterhaus added: “No matter your travel preferences, Graduate by Hilton taps into the storied traditions that make these universities and their communities so special.”
The research was conducted by One Poll among 2,000 UK adults. The survey took place from 8-14 August 2024, on behalf of Graduate by Hilton.
