There may be a number of reasons that you favor a discrete stay in a hotel. According to George Simmel the philosopher and social scientist; "Discretion is nothing other than the sense of justice with respect to the sphere of the intimate contents of life." There is a marked difference in discretion and dishonesty and any good hotel will honor your wishes in regard to this matter.
Pick a pseudonym when you check in. This is an alternative name for yourself that will not really stand out. This is the name that the hotel will know you as. For example; Marlon Brando regularly checked into hotels as "Lord Greystoke" and Chris Rock is known to use "Slappy White" in homage to the comedian Melvin "Slappy" White.
Use cash for settling your bill. This will ensure that if you are concerned that someone may look at your credit card statement, you have not left a trace. Using cash will ensure that the only hotel paperwork you should end up with is a receipt that the hotel will issue upon payment. This can easily be destroyed or kept somewhere very discrete for your records.
Request that the hotel keep your identity private. Hotels should not give out information without the prior consent of the client. The hotel will hold a privacy policy and this should make certain that your booking information stays safe. If you are concerned, simply ask the hotel. The name that you have registered in at the time of check in will be the name that they will adopt to address you. It does not matter how you settle your bill or what name appears on your credit or bank card or, in fact, any identity documents you may have to provide.
Choose a hotel that you know will be trustworthy and discrete. Locate a hotel where you feel safe, or that you know well. Or pick lodging that is out of the way, to ensure that you do not bump into anyone that you might know.
Use a convenient contact address. The hotel will ask for this when you check in. This does not have to be your home address - you can use a friend or family members home address (that you have arranged in advance). The hotel needs this is if there is a problem with your bill, you leave something behind or there has been some other issue during your stay. It is unlikely that they will ever contact you, but this is a great safeguard in the unlikely event that they do.
