Hotel upgrades usually come at a price — but according to a hospitality expert, one specific question could score you a better room for no extra cost.
While many assume the room they’re given at check-in is set in stone, reception staff often have more flexibility to bump guests up last-minute.
And when you do arrive, industry insider Jamie Fraser specifically recommends requesting a corner room.
Jamie, who owns Wedderlie House, an exclusive-use private estate in Scotland, tells Metro: ‘Corner rooms are often slightly larger than standard rooms because of the building layout.
‘They also usually only share one wall with another guest, meaning they can be noticeably quieter, which many travellers really appreciate after a long journey.’
In other words, you’ll get more space, less noise, and a better night’s sleep — without forking out for a suite.
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Why hotels don’t advertise them
If you’ve never heard of this travel trick before, it’s probably because hotels rarely list corner rooms as a separate category when booking.
Instead, they’re typically grouped into the same pricing tier as other standard rooms before being assigned based on capacity.
As such, Jamie says, ‘if one is available when you check in, staff may be happy to allocate’ — provided you ‘ask politely’, of course.
Top tips for requesting a better room
Although none of these guarantees an upgrade, when trying this trick, Jamie’s top tips can improve your odds:
- Ask politely at check-in if any corner rooms are available
- Arrive earlier in the day, before most rooms have been allocated
- Travel outside peak periods when hotels have more flexibility
- Explain that it’s because you’d prefer a quieter room, as corner rooms are often less noisy
Timing can make a big difference too, with quieter periods usually offering the best chance of securing a coveted corner room.
‘If a hotel isn’t at full capacity, reception teams often have some flexibility with room assignments,’ Jamie explains.
Arriving earlier in the day can also help, before the majority of rooms have already been handed out.
What do you think about asking for a corner room at check-in?
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I always ask for room preferences!
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I'll consider trying this next time.
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I'm not comfortable asking such questions.
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I don't think it would make a difference.
Don’t be afraid to ask
If you’re worried making requests at check-in might make you seem like an awkward or demanding customer, Jamie stresses this couldn’t be further from the truth.
‘Reception staff are used to guests asking for preferences such as higher floors, quieter rooms or particular views,’ he says.
‘Asking for a corner room is no different — if one is available they will often try to accommodate it.’
The worst answer they’ll give someone for a polite request like this is ‘no’, and even then, they might try to find a different way to improve your stay.
‘A quick question at reception can mean a more comfortable and quieter stay,’ Jamie adds. ‘And it doesn’t cost anything to ask.’
So, next time you check into a hotel, remember the key question: ‘Do you have any corner rooms available?’
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