A hotel booking site has revealed the things you should always ask for at hotel check-in to get 5-star treatment without paying for it

Always let the front desk know that you’ll be reviewing your stay online.Shutterstock/Kamil Macniak

• Travel experts shared their tips and tricks for scoring lesser-known freebies, upgrades, and general special treatment while staying at a hotel.
• Always check in late, let them know you’ll be reviewing your stay, and look for the “secret pillow menu,” they say.

Staying in a nice hotel is a rare luxury for most of us, meaning that you’ll want to make the most of it when you do.

With this in mind, travel experts at Hotels.com have shared some tips and tricks for scoring lesser-known freebies or upgrades that’ll make your stay that little bit more luxurious.

1. Check in as late as possible.

“If you check in late, then there is a chance that the hotel might have run out of standard rooms, which is generally the room category the everyday traveler books, so an upgrade to a higher room category could be on the cards,” according to the Hotels.com experts.

2. Let them know you’ll be reviewing your stay.

Shutterstock/Ollyy

“Guest reviews and social media exposure are so important to hotels these days,” the site added. “At check-in tell them you’ll be writing a review and that you follow them on Instagram and will be tagging and snapping the hotel at every opportunity.”

3. Ask about breakfast deals.

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“If your room package doesn’t include breakfast, always ask at check in if there are any special deals for the on-site restaurant, especially for breakfast. You could land yourself large discounts on food, an invite to guests-only happy hours, or special 2-for-1 deals.”

4. Request fancy freebies.

Shutterstock/Alena Ozerova

“Hotel freebies have had a serious upgrade over the past few years. Forget soap in the shower; you can often enjoy designer toiletries, including body lotion, face masks, and beauty utensils.

“Other items to watch out for are exotic teas and snacks, slippers, high-end magazines, stationery, and some hotels even have items for day usage such as portable WiFi units, umbrellas, and bikes.”

5. Find the “secret pillow menus.”

Shutterstock/Dean Drobot

“A menu in your room might not just be for room service or laundry. Many hotels these days want to offer travelers the luxuries of home, so pillow menus are the new norm,” Hotels.com said.

“If you are prone to neck and back pains, ask about pillow options. The front desk usually has a huge selection from super firm to melty marshmallow.”