September 16, 2025, 3:02 pm | Read time: 6 minutes

Extras often available for free upon request at hotels

How do you behave on a city trip? Do you just quickly check in, leave your luggage in the room, and then explore the city on your own? It’s certainly nice to let the atmosphere guide you and spontaneously visit restaurants that catch your eye. However, it can be equally rewarding to ask at the reception for a recommendation …

Free drinks in bars and restaurants

Many hotels have partnerships with restaurants where guests are offered a complimentary welcome drink. TRAVELBOOK learned this from Adi Schwarz, sales manager of the large German gastro group TTR GmbH, which operates the Hirschhof (a hybrid concept of a gastro mile, event spaces, and event platform) in Karlsruhe. Collaborations with bars and nightclubs are also common. So, it can be worth asking! Often, entry to popular clubs–especially in cities with high tourist traffic–costs a significant amount. For hotel guests, however, it is often free.

But even within many hotels, there are some perks that can enhance your stay. The best part: You don’t have to pay for these extras. Especially if you ask nicely, you might get one or two things for free.

A better room

It can happen that the assigned hotel room has defects. In this case, if the hotel is not fully booked, you can usually get another room without any issues. Sometimes, this room is even better than the originally booked category. Besides complaints, there are numerous other reasons why you might get a better room upon request. This room could be in a quieter or more beautiful wing of the hotel, for example.

“Regardless of requests, we generally upgrade if availability allows,” explains Jonas Schnabel, managing director of the Hotel Florentina in Frankfurt am Main. Smaller rooms are often left empty rather than the more comfortable, larger ones. During higher occupancy, special occasions can lead to an upgrade–such as a guest’s birthday or anniversary. Regular guests also enjoy this benefit without a special reason. It is important to clearly communicate that it is an upgrade, Schnabel notes: “So that guests do not expect the same next time and end up disappointed.”

Also interesting: 6 tricks to get a free upgrade at a hotel

Cosmetic and comfort items

There are always rumors about supposedly relaxed hand luggage rules that would allow carrying larger quantities of liquids. However, for the time being, the known rule remains: Liquid cosmetic items may only be transported in containers with a maximum of 100 milliliters, packed in a transparent, resealable bag. For many travelers with hand luggage, it is part of the vacation preparation to either buy (relatively expensive) travel sizes or laboriously decant into smaller bottles. If you don’t want to bother with this and don’t want to spend money on cosmetic items on-site, you can get many things at the hotel–often even for free. However, this requires being open to new products. Those prone to allergies or with very sensitive skin should stick to their usual care products.

But hotels offer far more than just shampoo and shower gel. Upon a friendly request at the reception, there are often additional care and everyday items: from toothbrushes and razors to sleep masks and nail sets. Those who like it particularly cozy can also ask for extra pillows, blankets, or slippers. “Combs or bathrobes are often available too,” explains gastro expert Adi Schwarz. Travelers with children also benefit. Many hotels provide baby cribs, milk warmers, outlet covers, or even toys upon request. This way, you can significantly lighten your travel luggage without sacrificing comfort.

More on the topic

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Inquired Hotel Manager Reveals: “The Worst Guests Are Those Who Lie”

Early check-in or late check-out

You took an early flight to have as much time as possible at your destination–but check-in isn’t until 3 p.m.? This can slow down the start of your vacation. But it doesn’t have to. Just ask politely and informally if you can check into your room earlier. If it was empty the day before, it doesn’t need cleaning and might be ready immediately.

On the day of departure, it’s also worth a quick inquiry at the reception: Often, it’s possible to check out a bit later than officially scheduled. This way, you gain valuable time, perhaps to take another dip in the pool or freshen up before heading to the train station or airport. Many hotels are accommodating here–provided the room is not directly reserved for new guests and therefore needs to be cleaned as early as possible.

Tickets for transport and cultural institutions

On city trips, public transportation is usually the best choice for getting around. It allows you to cover longer distances comfortably and without traffic jams, and it’s significantly cheaper than a taxi. And: Sometimes, it’s even completely free.

As gastro expert Adi Schwarz explains, some hotels offer their guests tickets for buses and trains directly at the reception. This offer is mainly found in cities with high tourist traffic. An example is the Basel Card: Every guest staying at a hotel in the city of Basel automatically receives this. It serves as a ticket for public transportation for a limited period and also offers discounts or even free entry to some museums. A similar model exists in Frankfurt am Main. However, the Frankfurt Card is not generally free. “If you ask politely, you might get it for free,” says Schwarz.

Also interesting: 11 good reasons to love Frankfurt am Main

Beyond Basel and Frankfurt, such benefits are also available. Hotels often collaborate with cities, museums, or tourism organizations, allowing guests to receive discounted or free access to cultural institutions in addition to public transport tickets. So, it’s always worth asking at the reception. Often, smaller and larger extras await that make the stay even more pleasant.