Spanish travel guru reveals the hotel floor numbers savvy tourists always ask for
The perfect hotel can make or break your vacation, but savvy travellers know it’s not just about picking the right property – the specific room you stay in matters just as much. While most guests focus on amenities like a sea view or king-sized bed, few consider one crucial detail that could impact both their safety and comfort: the floor they’re staying on.
“Most people don’t realise that the floor you choose can significantly affect your hotel experience,” says travel expert Javier Sobrino, Founder of Descubriendo Viajes, a Spanish travel platform specialising in curated accommodations. Having explored hundreds of hotels across the world over the past decade, Sobrino has discovered the sweet spot when it comes to selecting the perfect room floor.
According to Sobrino, the ideal floors to request are between the third and sixth – high enough for safety and privacy, but low enough for quick exits and convenience.
Why The 3rd To 6th Floors Hit The Sweet Spot
Sobrino recommends always requesting a room between the third and sixth floors when booking your next hotel stay. “These floors offer the perfect balance of safety, convenience, and comfort,” he explains.
The ground floor often poses security concerns with easy window access from outside, while first and second floors remain within reach of determined intruders. Meanwhile, rooms on very high floors, particularly in high-rises, can be problematic during emergencies when elevators shut down.
“In case of fire or other emergencies, floors above the sixth can be harder for rescue equipment to reach quickly,” Sobrino points out. “Fire truck ladders typically reach up to about six floors, which makes these middle floors a smart safety choice.”
These middle floors also hit the sweet spot for noise reduction. “You’re high enough to avoid street noise and the hustle of the lobby, but not so high that wind noise becomes an issue in taller buildings,” says Sobrino.
5 Expert Tips For Selecting The Perfect Hotel Room
Beyond choosing the right floor, Sobrino shares his top five tips for securing the best possible room for your stay:
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Corner Rooms Are Gold
Corner rooms typically offer more space and fewer shared walls with other guests. “Corner rooms often have better views, more windows, and you’ll only have one neighbor instead of two,” Sobrino says. “I always ask if there are corner rooms available when checking in.”
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Distance From Elevators Matters
While convenience might tempt you to request a room near the elevator, Sobrino advises against it. “Rooms directly adjacent to elevators face constant noise from the machinery and from guests coming and going at all hours,” he warns. “Ask for a room that’s central but not right next to the elevator – about 3-4 rooms away is perfect.”
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Check The Surroundings
Before confirming your booking, investigate what’s near your hotel. “Look at Google Maps satellite view to spot potential noise sources like bars, nightclubs, or major roads,” Sobrino suggests. “If the hotel is near these, request a room facing away from them or on a higher floor within my recommended range.”
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Ask About Renovations
Hotels don’t always advertise when they’re undergoing renovations. “Always call directly and ask if there’s any construction happening during your stay,” says Sobrino. “If so, request a room far from the work areas or consider a different hotel entirely.”
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Consider The Sun’s Path
Sobrino has a clever tip for temperature-sensitive sleepers: “In hot climates, such as southern Spain, east-facing rooms get morning sun and are cooler in the afternoon when you might want to rest. In colder destinations, south-facing rooms get more sunlight throughout the day, keeping the room naturally warmer.”
Javier Sobrino, Founder of Descubriendo Viajes, comments: “After spending years hopping between hotels across Spain, I’ve learned that the sweet spot for hotel rooms lies between floors three and six. They’re high enough to avoid street noise and offer better security than ground-level rooms, yet low enough for quick evacuation if needed. These floors are typically easier for emergency services to access quickly compared to higher floors, where in an emergency, you might face longer waits for help to arrive. Many travellers overlook this detail when booking, but it’s a simple request that can significantly improve both safety and comfort during your stay.”