Telha
Curtains that don’t close properly, disruptive lights, and concerns over flimsy locks can interrupt sleep and heighten worries about security.
Add to that germs, cramped spaces, and unpleasant odors, and your peaceful haven might feel more anxiety-inducing than calming.
However, with a few clever adjustments, you can turn even the most basic hotel room into a cozy and inviting retreat.
Below, we’ve compiled creative tips from seasoned travelers and industry experts to help you feel right at home, no matter where you stay.
Transform Your Hotel Stay with These Practical Hacks
1. Use the Ironing Board as a Suitcase Stand
Tired of crouching on the floor to access your luggage? Skip the wobbly hotel luggage racks and use the ironing board instead. It offers more stability and can even double as a makeshift table anywhere in the room.
2. Create a DIY Steamer
No iron in your room? Hang your outfit in the bathroom and run a hot shower to steam out wrinkles. Alternatively, place your clothes in a plastic bag, hold it open, and use a hairdryer to create steam.
3. Securely Close the Curtains
If hotel curtains don’t meet in the middle, grab a pants hanger with clips (usually found in the closet) to hold them together. This simple trick blocks out light for a better night’s sleep.
4. Add Extra Door Security
Repurpose a hanger to create an additional lock for your hotel door. Hook one end over the door handle and the other over the latch for extra peace of mind. For more security, wedge a washcloth or small towel into the door latch to make it harder for someone to tamper with it.
5. Charge Your Devices Using the TV
Forgot your wall adapter? Check the back or side of the TV for a USB port. Most hotel TVs have them, offering a quick way to charge phones, tablets, or other devices.
6. Cook with the Coffee Maker
No microwave? Use the coffee maker to boil water for instant noodles or oatmeal. Just be sure to clean it thoroughly first, as it’s hard to know how often it’s maintained.
7. Make a Toothbrush Holder
Keep your toothbrush off germy countertops by flipping a paper cup upside down and poking a hole through the bottom to hold it upright.
8. Cover the Remote Control
TV remotes are notoriously germy. Slip a shower cap or a plastic bag (like the ones found in ice buckets) over the remote to keep your hands clean.
9. Childproof the Room with Duct Tape
Traveling with kids? Use duct tape to cover electrical outlets, sharp edges, or other hazards to keep little ones safe.
10. Use Conditioner as Shaving Cream
Forgot shaving cream? The hotel-provided conditioner works as a great substitute, leaving your skin smooth and moisturized.
11. Create a Mini Cooler
Fill the ice bucket with ice and use it to store snacks, yogurt, or other perishables. It’s a quick and easy way to keep your food fresh.
12. Remember Your Valuables with a Shoe Hack
If you tend to forget items in the hotel safe, place one of your shoes inside with your passport or wallet. When you’re ready to leave, you’ll remember to retrieve your valuables because you won’t leave without your other shoe.
13. Travel with a Soapy Sponge
For cleaning reusable bottles or containers, soak a sponge in dish soap, let it dry, and cut it into small pieces. Pack the pieces in a plastic bag, and whenever you need to clean, wet one to reactivate the soap.
These simple hacks can transform any hotel room into a more functional and comfortable space, whether you’re staying for a single night or an extended trip. Try them out on your next journey and enjoy a more relaxing hotel experience!
