For over two-thirds of Brits, a holiday cannot get fully underway until their bags are unpacked.
In a survey about travel preferences, 67 per cent of those polled said they immediately emptied their suitcase after arriving in their hotel room, with 27 per cent happy to leave their clothes in their case.
And what do Brits take with them while away? Seventeen per cent admitted to bringing their own tea bags and a fifth (21 per cent) their own pillow.
Do Brits keep the bed sheets tucked in tight? A quarter (25 per cent) said they do, while 64 per cent stated they prefer them loose. Come morning, half of Brits will have been woken up by an alarm they’ve set (50 per cent), with 32 per cent revealing they prefer to wake up naturally.
The respondents were also asked in the survey, by Graduate by Hilton, if it was acceptable to leave a hotel room wearing a dressing gown – a fifth (18 per cent) said yes, with 63 per cent saying it’s not.
As part of Graduate by Hilton research, a light-hearted exchange of views on hotel etiquette took place between Simon Bird (left) and fellow comedian and Inbetweeners co-star Jessica Knappett (right)
When quizzed about elevator etiquette, 27 per cent said they like to make polite conversation with other hotel guests while riding in the lift and nearly half (48 per cent) prefer enjoying the silence.
Inside the breakfast buffet room, there is toast conveyor belt etiquette to consider. Should the settings ever be changed? Thirty-eight per cent said it’s acceptable to do so, while 27 per cent regarded fiddling with them as a no-no.
Some hotel breakfast buffets have a ‘to-go’ section. But for 46 per cent of Brits this is best left alone, while 44 per cent are happy to plunder.
A light-hearted exchange of views about these points took place in a video titled ‘The Great Travel Debate’ featuring Simon Bird and fellow comedian and Inbetweeners co-star Jessica Knappett.
Jessica and Simon debated robe rules, bed sheet arrangements and more…
Simon says: ‘I like it tight. I like to slide into that bed like a letter into an envelope’
Simon says: ‘You absolutely must unpack as soon as you get into the room. Put in the work early doors – the rewards are obvious.’
‘No way,’ says Jessica. ‘Unpacking cuts into quality relaxation time. Leave the clothes where they belong – in the case.’
‘Let’s talk bedsheets,’ says Simon. ‘I like it tight. I like it snug. I like to slide into that bed like a letter into an envelope.’
Jessica replies: ‘I’m untucking every single inch of those sheets. I need to be free. Kick a leg out like a normal person.’
She continues: ‘What about the robe, though? Surely you’re wearing that slice of fluffy heaven as much as poss?’
Simon replies: ‘Yeah, in the room, of course I am.’
Jessica remarks: ‘I’m everywhere in mine. Down at reception. Even at the bar when I need a nightcap.’
Kevin Osterhaus, president, lifestyle brands, Hilton, said: ‘I am Team Simon on this debate (sorry Jessica!).
‘Partnering with Simon and Jessica to settle The Great Travel Debates has been a fantastic way to welcome Graduate into the Hilton family.’
Graduate by Hilton is a ‘globally established brand’ with 34 hotels routed in university towns. The two UK properties are set in Oxford and Cambridge.
Osterhaus added: ‘Regardless of your travel preferences, Graduate by Hilton taps into those storied traditions that make these universities and their communities so special.’
The research was conducted by One Poll with 2,000 UK adults. The survey took place August 8-14, 2024, on behalf of Graduate by Hilton.