Hotel Privacy Gizmos

During my Las Vegas vacation in September, I stayed at two different resort hotels in order to take advantage of free and heavily discounted rooms.

Remember the privacy card that you find hanging on the inside of the door knob, and how you hang it on the outside to advise housekeeping that you want privacy and don't want to be bothered? And remember how sometimes another guest would steal the card for their own use?

Well, that doesn't have to happen anymore. Many hotels have gotten rid of their privacy door hangers and switched to electronic indicator switches.

Red Rock Resort Privacy Control

At the Red Rock Resort, the privacy switch was on the wall just inside the room right next to the light switches. Press the top button to turn on the "Do Not Disturb" light on the outside, and the bottom button to tell the maid to "Make-Up Room."

Swiped privacy door hanger problem solved.

Encore Resort Privacy Control

At the Encore Resort, they go one better. They have a separate console next to the bed that controls not only the privacy instructions, but the room lights, and window drapes and sheers as well. All combined with an alarm clock.

I've had similar ones at the Venetian and the Palazzo.

Hey! The more expensive the room (even if you don't have to pay for it), the better the amenities, no?