Hotels around the world are grappling with evolving guest behaviors and dress codes, prompting industry leaders to reconsider what constitutes acceptable etiquette in shared spaces. With a growing acceptance of casual attire and behavior, hoteliers are navigating the delicate balance between maintaining standards and accommodating guest comfort.
In his closing comments Ariel Barrionuevo, managing director of La Coralina Island House in Panama, shared those concerns. She began to see guests walking through common areas in pajamas or even barefoot. He noted, “At a high-end retreat, showing up in pajamas or barefoot around shared spaces can come across as disrespectful.” Today the hotel industry still needs to deal with establishing a welcoming yet safe environment for their guests.
Mary D’Argenis-Fernandez, founder of MDA Hospitality Solutions, noted that rigid dress codes are on their way out. She described how these encounters are truly unnecessary and avoidable. They have the unfortunate side effect of scaring the hell out of those working in the industry. This nationwide change is part of a bigger trend – hotels are starting to listen and cater to guests’ needs instead of imposing hard and fast rules.
At the same time, this change of circumstances is very much welcomed by Sam Jagger, managing director of The Maybourne Beverly Hills. “PJs on breakfast, pooches on pillows, or kiddos in cabanas — we welcome them with open arms,” he added. He was a big proponent of taking a matter-of-fact attitude toward casual guest apparel and behavior. This collaborative outlook is a match made in heaven with luxury hotels who are trying to foster a more welcoming vibe.
Cassandra Wheeler used to be a guest service supervisor at a Hilton hotel. She provided a wealth of knowledge, especially when it came to how staff should perceive guest behavior. Sharon experienced firsthand that it’s easy for staff to be seen as the “fun police” when they’re just trying to act on disruptive behavior. We would all simply giggle and grin, she explained. Balancing that warm and welcoming approach with a sober responsibility to set the right expectations for your guests is key.
Reem Arbid, co-founder of The Blue Door Kitchen & Inn, emphasized the need for hotels to proactively address disruptive behavior. “You can set the tone and I think consumers will take their cue if you’re being respectful and discreet,” she counseled. Taking this proactive approach can create an environment where guests are at ease, but require them not to run rampantly over the common guest etiquette.
Even as the world at large trends toward formality-light casualness, there are still some hotels that continue to enforce outdated dress codes. Aidan O’Sullivan, general manager of Kilkea Castle in Ireland, noted his resort’s bias toward an easygoing vibe in public spaces. As he noted, that golf course doesn’t have a patchwork of dress codes on the greens. As he eloquently stated, it’s not a matter of propriety. Going barefoot is a question of safety.
According to recent surveys, there’s a drastic divide among guests when it comes to hotel etiquette. Nearly 60% of respondents said certain types of traveler behavior really gets under their skin, including rocking hotel robes in public. In fact, an appalling 92% of them unequivocally condemn this practice. These kinds of data points illustrate the persistent friction between individual well being and collective etiquette in hotel spaces.
As hotels adjust to these new realities, they need to ensure that guests are comfortable yet not detracting from the desired ambiance. Though many restaurants welcome a casual or no dress code policy, some have stuck to longstanding practices. The real challenge for hotel property management is balancing these new expectations with the need to make every single other guest feel welcome and respected.