The concern is not only about littered carpets and unmade beds. Bacteria, dander, and mold can result in serious health consequences and allergic reactions when hotel rooms are not maintained properly.

The fact that hotel cleanliness is so rare does not mean you should settle for anything less than hygienic. Asking a few important questions in advance of a hotel stay can help weed out the most disgusting rooms. Further, taking a few steps of your own to protect your health while in a hotel room can go a long way toward making you, and your room, a lot cleaner.

Questions to Ask Before Booking:

1. How experienced is the housekeeping staff? Specifically ask about the qualifications of the housekeeping manager, as he or she is typically responsible for training and supervising all other housekeepers employed by the hotel. Does the manager have any academic credentials or belong to any associations, such as the International Executive Housekeepers Association?

2. Does the hotel outsource housekeeping duties, or does it hire and train its own employees? Generally, in-house housekeepers will be better trained and more motivated to do a thorough cleaning job than employees of a third party firm. You can ask the hotel directly about the qualifications and training of their housekeeping staff before booking a room.

Gallery: Hotel Carter

Continue reading Is your hotel room really clean?

Is your hotel room really clean? originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.