When someone knocks on your hotel room door while you're sleeping, it's essential to handle the situation politely and respectfully. Here's some etiquette to keep in mind:
Assess the situation: First, consider who might be at the door and whether you are expecting anyone. It could be hotel staff, other guests, or even a mistake.
Pause and compose yourself: If the knock wakes you up, take a moment to gather your thoughts and be as courteous as possible, even if you feel disoriented or tired.
Check through the peephole (if available): Before opening the door, verify who is there. If there's no peephole, you can ask, "Who is it?" without opening the door fully.
Use the chain lock or door viewer: If you decide to open the door, make use of the security features like the chain lock or door viewer to have some control over the interaction.
Hotel staff identification: If the person claims to be a hotel staff member, you can ask them to show their identification through the door before fully opening it.
Be polite in your response: If it turns out to be someone you don't want to interact with, you can still be courteous. Saying something like, "I'm sorry, but it's not a convenient time right now" or "I'm resting, could you please come back later?" is more considerate than outright telling them not to come over.
Consider a "Do Not Disturb" sign: To minimize disturbances, hang the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door when you're sleeping or need privacy.
Report any concerns: If you feel uncomfortable or suspect that someone may have knocked on your door with ill intentions, notify the hotel staff or management immediately.
In general, it's not considered rude to ask for privacy or delay a visit politely. Being polite and respectful while setting boundaries is crucial in such situations. Hotel staff are typically understanding of guests' need for privacy, and they should respect your request as long as it's reasonable.