Explained: Why Buildings And Hotels Skip the 13th Floor

Many hotels and buildings skip the number 13 in lifts and room numbers in a move that many might take as a mistake, though there is a reason behind this practice...

✨ Key Highlights

Many tall buildings and hotels, including those in Kenya, are omitting the 13th floor, a practice rooted in centuries of superstition and cultural beliefs.

The number 13 is widely considered bad luck, a fear known as Triskaidekaphobia.
This omission is influenced by cultural beliefs, religious significance (e.g., Judas Iscariot being the 13th member of Jesus's disciples), and marketing strategies for tenant comfort.
A Gallup study found that over 13% of people would be bothered sleeping on the 13th floor, influencing hotel decisions.