After you’re finished being transported for your trip, there’s often a sense of relief once you settle into your hotel room. But when you first walk in, there are a few things you should do before kicking off your shoes and grabbing the remote.

We know the first instinct of a tired traveler is probably to crash on the bed and get some shuteye so the trip goes well. We know parents may have their hands full with kids, 20 pieces of luggage, and an itinerary they want to follow. Some things don’t get a second thought.

We also know that whether you’re staying at a hotel for one night or one week, you want to be comfortable and get your money’s worth. So, we’re sharing some tips on what to do as soon as you swipe that keycard.

1. Beat Jet Lag with the Sun

   A traveling CEO swears by this: open the curtains as soon as you arrive to beat jet lag. This will help you to adjust to the new time zone, especially if you came from a place where it’s dark.

2. Declutter & Rearrange

   We don’t mean to clean the room, but to put away the little knickknacks hanging around the room that you’re not going to use. That includes toiletries, pens, and paper materials. Check out what this hotel design expert has to say about making the room cozier through decluttering and rearranging furniture.

3. Reset the Alarm

   Staying on a schedule? Take a look at the alarm clock to either set it to your preferred time, turn it off, or unplug it altogether. You don’t want to be awakened by the last guest’s 4:00 am alarm.

4. Inspect for Cleanliness

   We know you’ve seen some of those undercover videos that show substandard cleaning in hotel rooms. At the very least, check your bathroom, drinkware, and bedding, and use Lysol to disinfect surfaces. It would be wise to sanitize remote controls, the thermostat, flooring, and beds. If you have kids, feel free to go a little overboard.

5. Bed Bug Check

   Before you even think about unpacking or plopping yourself onto the bed, check for bedbugs. Pull the sheets back and check the seams of the mattress for bugs or blood-colored stains. If you have a flashlight, use it! Also check the furniture in the room, because they love to hide.

6. Security Scan

   To keep you, your family, and your valuables safe, do a safety and security sweep of the room. Check the deadbolt lock on the door and the phone to make sure they both work. Get familiar with the fire escape maps on the back of the door so you know where all the exits are, and learn the code to the hotel safe.

7. Sniff Test

   Take a whiff of the room to see if there’s an unwelcome stench that will make your stay unpleasant. It could be smoke, cleaning chemicals, urine, or a host of other things we will leave up to your imagination.

   Depending on the smell, you may want to crack your windows, cut the A/C on, or let the front desk know. If you are unhappy, request a room change right away.

These travel reminders can make a difference not only in your comfort level, but also with your health. Remember to pack antibacterial wipes and don’t be afraid to speak up if there’s an issue when you arrive.

If you find that your stay has been up to par or better, go ahead and leave a tip for housekeeping staff. There are many who work hard to ensure that your room is clean and your temporary living conditions are wonderful.

Do you have a hotel room onceover routine? What do you normally do upon checking in? Which of these tips will you take with you the next time you travel?