I worked at a popular hotel for 3 years. Here are 10 things people should stop wasting money on.

• I worked at a popular hotel chain for three years, and I saw plenty of guests waste their money.
• Booking through a third-party site or accidentally violating a hotel policy can end up costing you.

Even with a carefully planned budget, the excitement of being in a new place can make it very difficult to stick to your financial goals.

As someone who worked at a popular hotel chain for three years, I watched countless guests waste their money on the same things.

Here are the top things I think people should stop buying while staying at hotels.

Premium hotel rooms aren't usually worth it

I know it's tempting to upgrade your room, and having a suite is nice. But they're significantly more expensive than the basic rooms.

Depending on the hotel, the suites aren't really that much nicer — they just have a bit more space to move around. Unless you're planning on spending a considerable amount of time in your hotel room during your trip, I strongly recommend sticking with a basic room.

Plus, if you're really nice to the front-desk staff, there's always a chance they'll upgrade your room for free anyway.

It's usually worth it to opt for a hotel in a centralized location instead of paying for cabs

I've always been a firm believer that navigating a city's public-transportation system is a crucial part of the travel experience.

When selecting a place to stay, be sure to choose somewhere that's close to public transportation or within walking distance of the things you want to do.

It may be cheaper to book a place in a less convenient location, but the extra money you'll end up spending on car services will likely negate those savings.

Costly cancellation policies on 3rd-party sites are unnecessary

I know third-party websites often seem like the most budget-friendly option when it comes to booking hotel rooms, but there are so many hidden costs.

For example, you often have to pay a hefty fee for the fully refundable/cancelable option.

If you book directly through the hotel, it's very likely that it offers a flexible cancellation and refund policy for no additional cost.

Avoid buying travel toiletries ahead of time

Some people are very particular about the personal-hygiene products they use, which is perfectly fine. But if you aren't, most hotels have a ton of complimentary travel-sized products available.

I'm not just talking about the basic stuff in the bathroom — there's also often toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, razors, shaving cream, or even makeup-removing wipes. All you have to do is ask.

Before you go out and spend money on travel containers and travel-size items, I recommend calling the hotel or checking the website to see what products are available for free.

But don't wait until you get to a hotel to buy a plug adapter

It's easy to forget that some countries have different outlets that may not be compatible with your electronics. But acquiring an adapter once you've arrived at your destination can be incredibly difficult, time-consuming, and expensive.

If you don't want to spend a ridiculous amount on an adapter, get one ahead of time and bring it with you.

If for any reason you forget to bring your adapter, be sure to check with the front desk before setting out to buy one. If you're lucky, they may have one you can borrow.

Don't get stuck paying violation fines and incidentals

When checking in, it's important to thoroughly read the paperwork so you're aware of the policies.

When I worked at the hotel, people would violate these policies all the time, which would often result in them being charged hundreds of dollars. Excessive noise, smoking, and room damages were the most common violations I witnessed.

Most guests don't need to be told not to break anything. But a surprising number of people didn't seem to realize that being loud after quiet hours or smoking in a non-smoking room can result in a serious hit to their bank account.

You're wasting your money if you're buying bottled water at the hotel

I refuse to spend $6 on a bottle of water, but being dehydrated on vacation certainly isn't ideal.

I suggest bringing a water bottle and filling it up at the hotel before you leave for the day — some hotel ice machines have a filtered-water option.

Hotel restaurants are convenient, but they're often overpriced

It's easy to be tempted by the convenience of ordering room service or eating at a restaurant inside a hotel, but it comes at a significant price. Plus, in my experience, hotel food just isn't that great (unless it's a super fancy place).

Instead, go out and support some local restaurants, or order takeout if you don't feel like sitting down somewhere. It'll probably be half the price of room service, and you'll get to do some light sightseeing along the way.

Beware of roaming charges when you travel

Before you travel internationally, you can and should call your phone provider to negotiate a reasonably priced plan for your trip. This can save you hundreds of dollars in roaming charges.

Pro tip: Be sure to take advantage of locations that offer free Wi-Fi, like in your hotel room or at coffee shops.

Skip the gift-shop souvenirs

Souvenirs can be a huge waste of money, especially if you're buying things to give to other people. I wish people felt less obligated to buy anything for anyone — they can deal without the magnet or keychain.

I prefer taking lots of photos over buying souvenirs to remember my travels. But if getting a physical item is important to you, I recommend buying something handmade from a local artist.

There are often inexpensive options, whereas I find most gift-shop souvenirs to be overpriced.