Why are certain room numbers sometimes missing in hotels?
You get into the elevator, press 12—and notice that 13 is missing.
Or you’re looking for your room in the hallway and wonder why 309 is suddenly followed by 311.
Coincidence? Planning error?
No. It’s deliberate.
The short answer
Some room numbers are missing for cultural and psychological reasons – mainly because of superstition.
The thing about 13
In many Western countries, the number 13 is considered unlucky. The phenomenon is even called triskaidekaphobia – the fear of the number 13.
To avoid unsettling guests, many hotels do without:
- Room 13
- The 13th floor
- Or both
International hotel chains in particular avoid numbers that have negative connotations in certain cultures.
But it’s not just about the number 13
In Asian countries, the number 4 is often problematic. Its pronunciation in Chinese is similar to the word for “death.”
That’s why some hotels in:
- China
- Japan
- Korea
do not have room number 4 or entire 4th floors.
International hotels often adapt to the respective region – or avoid several “problematic” numbers at the same time.
Psychology beats mathematics
A hotel thrives on trust and comfort. Even if only a small proportion of guests feel uncomfortable with certain numbers, it is worth avoiding them for economic reasons.
An empty room due to superstition would be more expensive than a skipped number.
The little twist
Interestingly, the missing number does not mean that the room is physically missing. It often exists as normal—just under a different name.
Room 13 then becomes 12A or 14.
Mathematically questionable. Psychologically clever.
The next time you stay in a hotel, it’s worth taking a look at the room door—maybe more is missing than you thought.
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