These Hotel Hacks Will Help You Have A Better Hotel Stay at Any Destination

Staying in a hotel gives us a chance to wind down. With nothing to clean, no sheets to change, and no distractions, we can really let go for a day or so. However, sometimes we find that our hotel could be more up to snuff, which can ruin the vibe of our vacation. 

When booking your stay, always go to the hotel website and make the reservation there. When you use a booking site, the hotel pays a fee. So most hotels are happy and may even offer specials for booking directly on their site.

There is a comments box on the hotel booking site – if you are coming to celebrate a special occasion, let the hotel know. If you are booking on the phone, tell that person the news too. 

You may not realize that your hotel room fee includes those little bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and soap. When you’ve checked out, those get tossed because the hotel expects you to take them! 

When you finally drag yourself into your hotel room after a long flight, the first thing you want to do is dump your suitcase and flop down on the bed. Then you realize that the curtains don’t completely close, and a little sunlight is shining on your exhausted face.

Does your hotel room seem cramped? Finding additional storage space isn’t that hard; you have to be a little creative. For example, check out the closet for an ironing board, and if you don’t have one, ask the front desk to send one up. 

That laundry bag hanging in your bathroom or closet is for guests who want to send their clothing to the hotel laundry. If you’re not planning to do that, you now have a free storage area for something else. 

As you’re packing to go home, you catch sight of those sneakers you went hiking in. They’re muddy and filthy, now what are you going to do? You certainly can’t throw them in with the rest of your clothing, and there’s no time to clean them. 

We don’t want to disparage hotel cleaners, who have so many rooms to get to daily. We’re sure they do a great job. But think of the one thing in the hotel room that many people touch- the TV remote. That item must be cleaned meticulously to rid it of germs and bacteria. 

Unfortunately, most hotel rooms aren’t designed with babies and small children in mind. If you’re traveling with your kids in tow, it might be a good idea to pack some band-aids in your luggage so you can use them to child-proof your hotel room!

Getting cold, hard butter served to you at breakfast can be frustrating. Trying to spread the butter will probably result in bread that’s torn, or a piece of toast with a large chunk of butter in the middle.

Trying to fit all your clothes into your suitcase will surely get them wrinkled. This can be especially annoying if you’re traveling for an important business meeting or if you’re attending a wedding and you want to look your best.

This simple hotel hack has been gaining popularity. We’ve all been in that situation when we realize too late that there’s no more toilet paper. With this hack, the last guest to use up the toilet paper can place the empty toll underneath the toilet seat.

You probably don’t lay your toothbrushes directly on your bathroom counter at home, so why would you even think of doing that in a hotel room? If you want to keep your toothbrush germ-free, consider this simple solution.

If the hotel you’re staying in has a pool, then you’re probably going to use it at some point. Once it’s time to pack your bags, are you just going to stuff your wet swimsuits into your luggage and risk getting your other clothes wet?

If you left your phone charger at home, there’s no need to panic! If you have your phone’s USB cable with you, just plug it into the USB port of your hotel room’s TV. Most smart TVs these days have one!

If your hotel room’s air conditioning unit is positioned too close to the bed and you’d rather not have a stream of cold air blowing directly on your body or face while you sleep, try moving some furniture around.

Some hotel rooms have a huge gap under the door, allowing light from the hallway to enter the room. This can be annoying if you’ve had a long day and all you want is to get a good night’s sleep.

If the air in your hotel room feels a bit dry and you don’t have a humidifier, try using your room’s air conditioning unit instead. All you need is a wet towel and something to hold it in place, like a luggage rack.

Not all hotel rooms have a bedside table on either side of the bed. If you want to keep your phone, glasses, wallet, or other personal items right next to you while you sleep, then you’ll love this simple hack!

If you intend to use the mugs, glasses, spoons, and forks in your hotel room, it would probably be a good idea to disinfect them first. Just boil some water using the kettle and use the boiling water to wash them.

If your room doesn’t have a fridge or if you’ve run out of fridge space, you can still keep your food and drinks cool with the help of a makeshift cooler! All you need is some ice – lots of it – and your sink!

Packing light is a must for any traveler. This means leaving your bulky Bluetooth speakers behind! If you want to play some music while you unwind in your hotel room, here’s one cool hack that you can try out.

When you’re visiting a foreign country and don’t speak the local language, the chances of finding anything good to watch on TV in your hotel room are pretty slim. If your room has WiFi and a smart TV, why not stream your entertainment through your phone or laptop instead?

Most hotel rooms don’t have a microwave or stove, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a late-night snack! If you’re craving a grilled cheese sandwich, you can easily make one in your room – all you need is an iron and some aluminum foil!

Have you ever been in a situation where one pillow in your hotel room is too soft, and the other one is too low? If this happens to you, consider this easy fix.

Falling asleep when you’re in a new environment can be tough, which is why it’s important to minimize distractions. But what do you do if the blinking lights from the smoke detector and other electronic devices in your room are keeping you awake?

Have you ever looked forward to a nice bath in your hotel room after a long day, only to realize that the bathtub drain plug is broken or missing? If you ever find yourself in this situation again, there’s no need to despair!

Most hotels no longer allow smoking on their premises. However, some hotels still give out matchbooks as a souvenir. Other hotels also sell these at their gift shop. If your nails require a quick touch-up but you forgot to bring a nail file, use the hotel matchbook instead.

Give yourself a DIY facial treatment without spending a fortune! All you need is a packet of sugar and a bottle of lotion, both of which are readily available in most hotel rooms.

Your hotel room is supposed to be your home away from home. However, unlike your actual home, other people – like hotel staff – can easily access your room. If you have some extra cash lying around, remember to hide it before you leave your room.

To reduce electricity costs, most hotels these days use a key card system. Your room will most likely have a slot on the wall where you’ll need to place your key card to activate the power in the room.

If you don’t want people to enter your room and do some housekeeping while you’re away, just leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. Hotel staff will see this sign and stay away from your room even if you’re not actually there.

This tip is used to protect you, especially when you are staying in a hotel or Airbnb and are concerned about the security of the area. If you’re fearful of intruders that could potentially put your life in danger, before going to bed, lock your door and put an empty drinking glass on the inside handle.

Eating out all the time when you’re traveling on a limited budget might not be such a good idea. If you want to save money, you can easily whip up delicious meals in your room – all you need is a kettle, some water, and a little bit of creativity.

It may be tempting to just order room service at the end of an exhausting day, but you’ll have to pay extra if you want the convenience of having a plate of chicken fingers and fries sent to your room.

If you have a long car ride ahead of you, it may be a good idea to save some food from the breakfast buffet for later. Try getting a few slices of toast or some packets of peanut butter and jelly in case anyone wants a sandwich.

Even if you don’t intend to work out at the hotel gym, you might want to check it out anyway – hotels usually provide guests using the gym with all sorts of freebies which might come in handy later.

Once you enter your hotel room, it may be a good idea to put your luggage immediately in the bathtub or at the very least leave your belongings in the hallway. Why is this odd luggage placement an important hack? Basically, it can save you and your belongings from bed bugs!

Often times traveling and vacation time equates to days spent lounging on the beach. When soaking up the sun on your beach day, flip-flops may be your footwear of choice. They are cheap yet versatile shoes and perfect for sandy shores.

Traveling can be an exhausting and stressful experience. This new trend is a popular way to rid yourself of those travel woes. If you believe in energy levels and chakras, this hack may be for you!

This next hack comes with a few different purposes. If your wallet is prone to bending your cards or leaving them disorganized, adding a crayon to the bottom will act as a spacer to keep your cards straightened out. Secondly, if you’re traveling with kids, having a crayon wrapped in a piece of paper can be a simple way to keep them occupied on car rides, planes, or while waiting in restaurants

Hotel rooms are your convenient home away from home while traveling, but have you ever thought about how many other people have slept in that hotel room before you? While hotel staff do thoroughly clean each room, if you have any concerns about the room or bed’s cleanliness, a bit of baking soda wouldn’t hurt!

Now let’s dive into some top packing and luggage tips to assist with your travels. Trekking in the countryside is known to be beneficial for the mind and body. It’s become popular as it allows you to get close to nature while exploring lesser-known paths.

Most passengers travel with at least one thing that needs to be handled with care. If a delicate item is placed in luggage that isn’t marked fragile, it could be thrown around or damaged under the weight of other bags.

You want your bags to stand out. Airports are littered with black and silver luggage. Beyond a fashion statement, it will make the process of claiming your bag off the turnstile much easier. If you desire to find your bag more quickly, buy luggage that’s unique.

If you’re preparing for a long flight, you may want to pack a tennis ball or two in your carry-on. Why a tennis ball you ask? Well, this compact, everyday object is easy to fit in your luggage, it will get past TSA without an issue, and it will serve as a makeshift massager for long flights.

It might be challenging to stay fresh all throughout a long flight, road trip, or throughout your travels. If you’re going for the whole gamut, the longest non-stop trip could last around 18 hours.

When you first arrive to your hotel room, you’ll want to do a decent inspection of your temporary living quarters. Not only do you want to search for cleanliness and make sure bed bugs aren’t infesting, but you should also be alert to any out of the ordinary objects.

Whether it’s the bathroom in your hotel room, the public restroom in the hotel lobby, or any restroom you use while traveling, be aware of your surroundings. If you spot an unusual coat hook in any restroom you enter, you should leave immediately and alert security or the proper authorities.

Hands-free may be required at any given time. Throughout the check-in process, you may need to use one or both of your hands. You’ll also be passing off your luggage too, so the amount you can carry is limited. Having pockets is incredibly valuable when traveling.

Prepare for “airplane mode” by downloading movies and TV shows beforehand via a streaming app. This way, you can binge content without tearing through your data or being reliant on a WiFi connection. If you get motion sickness from watching a screen, try downloading some music, podcasts, or audiobooks instead to pass the time.

Mobile phones are now a constant companion, especially for travelers who need to contact distant friends and family. In a new city, finding your way around via the many useful apps and maps your phone has can be a lifesaver.

Long hours in a car or on a plane can be brutal. Sitting for extended periods of time can be even worse. This is especially true if you are accustomed to getting lots of physical activity each day. That’s why you should workout before you depart.

Traveling in the company of old friends is hard to organize in a real-world setting. It can be hard to agree on a given date, and money could be an issue, among many other things. Still, it’s nice to have somebody to share your adventures with.

When out and about on an adventure, it is a good idea to use a map to familiarize yourself in advance. Wireless connections are not always guaranteed in all areas, and your network operator might have roaming connectivity issues in the location to which you’re heading.

A long flight or trip to a new city or country can be an escape from everyday life for those who are tired of uniformity. It is symbolic of a new start and a brand new outlook that is exciting and spontaneous.

Instead of going out to popular tourist spots for selfies, delve in and meet the locals. It can be a fascinating experience to gradually learn a new language and be immersed in customs and traditions other than your own.

To go on a tour or backpacking excursion requires more detailed planning. Otherwise, the journey could quickly become costly and time-consuming, which defeats the purpose of attempting to become the pro-traveler all backpackers are perceived to be.

Finding a dependable tour guide can be tricky, especially for a first-timer in an unfamiliar region. If you’re traveling solo, any tour you take could be priced as a one-on-one, making it many times more expensive than regular group tours. It’s even more challenging when traveling off-season.

Score better deals by joining a hotel loyalty program. Most major hotel chains have one and most are free to join. Hotels typically offer a wide range of benefits for loyalty program members who book directly, such as free night stays, room upgrades, or complimentary meals.

Save money on food and drinks with your hotel’s club lounge! Naturally, hotel club lounges vary in size and quality, but at the very least they typically provide free snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.

When you check into your hotel, don’t forget to add your room’s digital key. To do so, download the hotel’s mobile app.

If you are not the digital type and prefer to keep physical objects instead, this simple trick is for you. If you are staying in a hotel that requires that you have a key card inserted while charging your electronics, this will allow you to do so while out of the room.

When you first arrive at your hotel room, avoid the temptation to throw your suitcase on the bed and start unpacking. Do not do this! This suitcase has been dragged all over the airport, and presumably it is not its first rodeo.

If you are traveling with your children this hack is for you! If your hotel room has a small couch or loveseat, simply turn the open face towards the wall and you have instant guard rails for your little one.

To save bathroom space (most especially if you are traveling with someone else) pack your toiletries in a hanging toiletry bag. This will keep your bathroom essentials organized.

If you are traveling with a large family, you’ll likely need to book more than one room. In that case, adjoining rooms may be preferential to two rooms that aren’t connected.

If you’re a caffeine lover, it is a good idea to pack your tea or coffee along with you on your next trip. Many hotels have tea and coffee makers in the rooms, along with a few paper cups and two or so packets of tea or coffee.

If you want to raid the minibar for snacks and drinks but are not interested in paying the insane upcharge that hotels usually charge, we’ve got a solution for you.