Why Hotels Avoid the 13th Floor

Introduction to Triskaidekaphobia

Ever wonder why you’ve never stayed in a hotel room on the 13th floor? The answer is simple: the floor often doesn’t exist due to a phenomenon known as triskaidekaphobia, or the fear of the number 13.

As USA Today reported, this fear is not just a casual concern that leads individuals to avoid going out on Friday the 13th; it can trigger acute anxiety upon encountering the numeral. Consequently, by omitting the 13th floor, hotels aim to spare their guests from unnecessary distress.

Hotels’ Response to Floor Numbering

Although eliminating an entire floor for a handful of fearful patrons may seem trivial, a 2007 Gallup poll revealed that 13 percent of respondents expressed discomfort at the thought of staying on the 13th floor. However, rational thinking dictates that hotels and buildings with more than 12 floors do indeed have a 13th floor; they simply rename it to avoid any negative connotations.

Many establishments, particularly in New York City, opt for alternative designations, calling the 13th floor “12B” or “14A.” As reported by The Atlantic, a survey conducted by CityRealty found that out of 629 condominium buildings with 13 or more floors, only 55 labeled their 13th floor as such. Consequently, 91 percent of these structures chose to rename the 13th floor to attract potential buyers and renters more effectively.

Impact on Business Decisions

This naming strategy may seem excessive; however, it serves a crucial business purpose by ensuring that hotels do not alienate 13 percent of their clientele. As stated by J.W. Bill Marriott Jr., chairman of Marriott International, in 2007, “It was one of the first things I learned: Don’t go to 13.”