Fifty Plus (50+) - Bikes in motel rooms

Do motels generally allow bicycles in the rooms, or have storage facilities? I have never taken a bike on a driving trip, but plan to this summer.

Best policy is to check with each motel where you plan to stay. Some allow it, others do not.

I would call ahead if I were you, to make sure, but I've got a bike in my hotel room right now and it hasn't been a problem! :)

Have fun!

It's always best to check ahead. I've traveled quite a bit with my bike and have never been unable to take it into my room.

A lot depends on how you ask the question: "I have a pretty expensive bike. Where can I keep it where it will be safe?"

I think the "easier to get forgiveness than permission" principle applies here. I have taken my bikes into hotel rooms many times. I have never asked and I have never been told I shouldn't do it. YMMV.

Never had a problem, I have even walked through the lobby of plush high end resorts - wheels rolling. No one has ever said a thing.

When I was at the Hotel Bethlehem in 2007, the doorman took up my bike for me as luggage. He then carefully placed the bike so the drivetrain rested on the white curtains.

I've never had a problem, and would truly pissed if I did.

Do motels generally allow bicycles in the rooms, or have storage facilities? I have never taken a bike on a driving trip, but plan to this summer.

Never had a problem, in places ranging from the bottom to the top of the food chain. The only time I've heard of issues are from people who go into the situation with a combative attitude. Basic politeness goes a long way.

Do motels generally allow bicycles in the rooms, or have storage facilities? I have never taken a bike on a driving trip, but plan to this summer.

A couple weeks ago, the wifee and I spent a week in Atlantic City. Carried two bikes with me, and we had a room booked at the Trump Plaza. I wasn't going to ask.. Because, with me it wasn't an option..;). After I checked in, got my room number and location. I told the porters that I can handle my bags. My wife took the bags, and I boldly walked with two Raleighs (Competition and Prestige) over to the elavators and went up to my room. That was at the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, I would imagine if they allow it, all hotels motels do the same..;)

BTW, I do the same with my motorcycle, motels on ground floor..;)

Never had a problem, in places ranging from the bottom to the top of the food chain. The only time I've heard of issues are from people who go into the situation with a combative attitude. Basic politeness goes a long way.

Can't be said any better than that!! :beer:

I'm not one to ask. If asked, they will have to state whatever the poicy is - written or, likely, unwritten and made up on the spot. ALso, it would depend on whether it is a drive-up entrance or a through-the=lobby entrance. Never had a problem.

My luggage has wheels. I take it into the room. I don't ask about my luggage.

Every motel I've stayed at I've taken the bike into the room. Never asked, just did it.

I've never even thought to ask. The only place that even had a whimper was the Breakers on Palm Beach - the porter came after me to wipe off the (clean) tires then let me continue on my way through the lobby.

Essentially a non-issue.

If it is sloppy weather stop inside the lobby door, or the door to the room if outside entrance, and wipe down the tires and oily drips. Then go for it. Never had a problem either in commercial or private property when doing that.

Don't leave a mess in the room or you will find a bill on your credit card for clean up, damage repair.

I think the "easier to get forgiveness than permission" principle applies here. I have taken my bikes into hotel rooms many times. I have never asked and I have never been told I shouldn't do it. YMMV.
^^^...same here. If I have my bike in my room and if it's not "technically" allowed, I think I'd start with the rejoinder. "Well at least my unwelcome companion won't bring in the vice squad."

I've stayed in many motels in and around NC, VA and SC. I've never been told that I could not take my bike into my room - and I always asked before I do it. I used to ask when making reservations but, not I just tell the clerk at the counter. Its never been a problem. I've even carried it into a Bed & Breakfast Inn where I had to roll it through the sitting room while the patrons looked at me like I was off my rocker (although probably true to some extent).

As long as your bikes are house broken, can't think of why they would mind.

I've never even thought to ask. The only place that even had a whimper was the Breakers on Palm Beach - the porter came after me to wipe off the (clean) tires then let me continue on my way through the lobby.

+1 One of the few places that insist on carrying your bags. Several years ago they also insisted that anyone passing through the lobby wore a jacket.

+1 One of the few places that insist on carrying your bags. Several years ago they also insisted that anyone passing through the lobby wore a jacket.

wow, that's too fancy for my blood.

Last summer I did a credit card tour of the Mississippi River (all of it). I asked when making the reservations and it was not a problem putting the bike in the room. The one hotel that really didn't want me to put the bike in the room was the Grand Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. They did however have a secure area that only the porters had access to and that worked out just fine. I arrived at the hotel after riding from Red Wing in the rain almost the entire way and was soaking wet. I really didn't mind and they were very nice to me. I ate three entries, three appetizers, and two desserts in their five star restaurant - the bill was over a hundred dollars but it was worth it. Riding in the cold rain for 76 miles made me hungry and the food was very good. Ahh, the joys of touring ..

Every motel I've stayed at I've taken the bike into the room. Never asked, just did it.

Same here. I make a point of being low key about taking it in, just in case it would matter.

I'll throw my own experience in with the rest: I've done it without asking and it wasn't a problem. When you think about it, hotels let folks bring their kids into the rooms and kids can be a lot messier than bikes...

I've never asked, nor have I ever heard of a hotel or motel not allowing it. It's not like it's a pet that's going to shed (or shred).

Hi,

Let's see... I started traveling to races when I was 16 and that's when I started bringing bicycles into motel and hotel rooms. I'm 53 now and we had six(!) bikes in a room (3 road and 3 TT) for the Valley of the Sun Stage Race in February. I have never asked permission and I've never had a problem. Sometimes I get some strange looks when I bring the bike through the lobby of a hotel, but other than that no one says a word. (I guess I should also add that the hotel was the preferred hotel for race participants.)

BTW, I generally keep my bikes exceptionally clean so that may help. ;)

The First Sergeant did have a kitten when he found me assembling a motorcycle in a third floor room of the barracks.

Since I'm staying there, I assume that it is as welcome as any other piece of my luggage. Just don't expect them to cover it at all insurance-wise.

As noted, low key, polite and clean. Don't go through lobby unless you have to. I've kept bikes in hotel rooms across the country. If you're young you're more likely to get questioned about it than if your older. No reason not to have a bike in your room.

Oh, and don't take your bike, a backpack and a roller bag in all at once. Move in your bags, check out the lay of land, and then walk your bike in like you own the place. Act like the walls will get your bike dirty, and not the other way around.

I never did this but my son has
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/196178_1637184977450_1471504828_31389029_4087147_n.jpg

Don't ask/don't tell policy for us . . .Have motel/hoteled our tandem in 30 some odd states.

I appreciate all of your comments. It seems that (don't ask,don't tell) is the way to go. Thanks.

If you read "crazyguy on a bike" touring reports, they all mention having bikes in the room. In a few cases if they didnt want the bike in the room, they provided safe lockable storage.

It's never been a problem at any type or grade of hotel, in fact some have insisted I keep it in my room. One B&B I stayed at, provided me a place in their locked garage but that was just a free consideration.

Marc

I have never asked, nor had a problem.

1. in making reservations, I always ask first and say I have a sheet of plastic to have my bike on in the room.
2. I have gone to motels last minute, gotten a room and not said I have a bike, I leave it outside and after I did the paperwork for payment rolled the bike in. If they say it can't come in I ask for the written rules or where can I store it. Most motels don't want to pass up renting a room over this.

I wouldn't even think to ask for a bicycle. Just do it. Taking a bicycle in is no big deal after the times we've smuggled dogs into hotels/motels. :innocent:

I've never had a problem, and am encouraged by the number of folks who have shared the same experience.

I've taken bikes into everything from motels to swanky 5 star hotels. For motels (where each room has its own door to the outside) I don't even bring it up -- it just goes into the room with me. I usually ask for a first floor room when I have a bike at a motel.

For hotels (the door opens into a hallway) I have just walked right on in with them. I did this at the hotels around the convention center in San Diego and no one blinked an eye. I try to be respectful. If the area is dead I use the regular elevator but if there is any kind of traffic at all I ask the bell captain if I may use the service elevator because I don't want to get any dirty chain marks on any of the other customers. Usually they are happy to help.

Three of us once came off the Blue Ridge Parkway for a hotel night at the Sheraton in Roanoke. It was pretty funny when we shared an elevator with some of the participants of a child beauty contest. I preferred our sweat and grime to their make-up.

Last month, in a budget hotel in Rome, (if there is even such a thing), they would not let me keep the bike in my room. However, they did let me keep it in the hallway behind the front desk overnight. In fairness, it was a very, very small room. Hardly large enough to turn around in. Safety reasons, they said.

(p.s. Seeing Rome by bicycle just has to be the very best way of seeing the city. Extremely easy to keep up with the chaotic Roman traffic. You can't be timid however. Ride like you own the road and that you are a local. Can't remember when I had more fun, and I was able to escape the city to see places that would have been too expensive otherwise.)

In 1995 when I went on my cross-country bike trip, I always kept the bike in the room with me. Issue never came up. Here I come into the lobby to get a room for the night in my cycling duds...what would they expect?

Just take it in, especially if you have an outside entrance ;)
Road bike shouldn't be problem. A muddy mountain bike should be cleaned up before you even think about it!


Maybe you should ask the couple that just NOW changed a diaper on their baby in our waiting room! NASTY!

If they said anuthing to me I would say "You mean my special wheelchair? Isn't this hotel ADA compliant?"

I can remember three places where I had a hiccup. Two of them had storage space, and the third gave me some old towels to pad the bikes so they wouldn't mar the walls.

If the bike is wet or dirty, ask if they have some old towels you can use to clean the bike off. Most places have towels that are too old to put out for guests, but they're happy to let you clean up with them; it keeps their motel walls and floors clean and unmarked.

That's the beauty of a packable, folding bike.

It's in a suitcase when you bring it up to the room on arrival, so they don't actually know it's a bike. If anyone challenges you the next time you come in, you smile sweetly and say "But your colleague never said anything the last time I brought it in."

Worked like a charm for me.

Essentially a non-issue.

If it is sloppy weather stop inside the lobby door, or the door to the room if outside entrance, and wipe down the tires and oily drips. Then go for it. Never had a problem either in commercial or private property when doing that.

Don't leave a mess in the room or you will find a bill on your credit card for clean up, damage repair.

I would think if you hauled a Mt. or Cross bike covered in gunk and mud through the lobby you might have an issue but I have never had a problem with salting the bike in a hotel room. Even the owners of hotels know the things get stolen off of car racks so I think they would rather have a happy customer.

I know of one hotel on Kauai that told me I was not allowed to take my bike into the room, they kept it in a storage room, PITA.

While doing an environmental assessment at a small hotel at Hawi, Hawaii; cycling came up and the manager said they did not allow bicycles in their rooms. Outside was the only storage area. Seems a couple with a trailer brought the trailer into the room and scratched the wood floors, so all bicycles got banned.

We stayed for a week at Falcon Point Resort in Avon CO in June. Brought our tandem with us. When signing in, i saw a sign saying "no bikes in rooms. $200.00 charge if found in the room". Why? They stopped allowing them in the rooms because the people would bring muddy mountain bikes to the rooms and clean them inside. They were very accommodating for us and locked our tandem in the maintenance area. Other than that place, all others allow us to bring our bike inside.

39 nights in motels when I did the Southern Tier, stayed at just about every motel chain....they all saw me come in.....I never asked, they never commented, not a problem.

I always take my bike in, and never ask. If I was asked I'd do what I always do when I take my bike in somewhere.
I look surprised and say "Oh, it's OK." as if it was all arranged ahead of time.
It's always worked so far.