15 Hotel Room Hacks Every Traveler Needs to Know
There are fewer things as exciting as planning your next getaway. Booking suitable accommodations when traveling can make or break your trip, which is why it’s such a vital part of the trip planning process.
Finding yourself in a hotel room that is not up to your expectations can be a letdown.
To make your stay more comfortable, we’ve curated this list of genius and budget-friendly hotel room hacks that will change how you travel.
Attach Your Car Air Freshener to the AC Unit
If your room smells stale or a bit off, it can ruin the vibe of your stay. Grab the air freshener clip from your car and attach it to the AC unit for an easy hack. This will blow fresh-smelling air into your room and eliminate any unwanted smells.
If you don’t have a car air freshener, pick one up at the shop and place it on your unit.
Close the Curtains With a Pants Hanger
There’s nothing worse than closing your hotel blinds at night only to have light still shining through your window. This hack is simple and will give you the best night’s sleep in a hotel. All you need is the pants hanger from your room! Use the hanger clips to shut your curtains closed together.
This way, there won’t be any cracks for light to get in, and you’ll have extra privacy.
Use the Folded Bedsheets to Create a Pocket
The folded sheets on your bed are cozy and plush, but they can also make for a pocket on the side of your bed. If you don’t have a nightstand beside your bed or are limited in space, use the folded bedsheet and tuck it under the corner of the bed to create a fold.
You can use this as a pocket to store your phone, glasses, iPad, and anything else you keep by your bedside.
Make Your Toothbrush Holder
Your hotel room might come with a toothbrush holder, but most rooms don’t offer holders for toiletries and toothbrushes. The last thing you want to do is lay your toothbrush on the bathroom counter, which could be covered in germs.
Fortunately, you can make your own with this simple DIY hack. Grab one of the paper cups in your room and flip it upside down. Then, poke your toothbrush through the bottom, and you’ll have your toothbrush holder.
Make Hot Meals With Your Coffee Machine
Don’t panic if you’re stuck in a room without a kitchen, stove, or kettle. You can still make hot meals in your room without those kitchen essentials. Use your coffee machine to boil water and make instant meals like soups, pasta, oatmeal, and more!
We recommend constantly cleaning out the coffee machine first and boiling a pot to test it to ensure it’s clean and ready for use.
Use a Towel to Block out Light and Noise
Roll up a towel and place it along the crack of the main door to add an extra layer of privacy and quiet to your stay. This will muffle any hallway noise and block out the lights, which are usually left on all night and could seep into your room.
Use one of the extra towels from your bathroom or ask housekeeping for an extra towel.
Steam Your Clothes Using the Shower
Wrinkled clothes are part and parcel of travel, and once you pack your clothes into your suitcase, it’s more than likely that at least some of them will become super wrinkled. If your room has no hotel iron or you don’t feel like ironing on your getaway, hang up your clothing in the bathroom before taking a hot shower.
The steam from the shower will eliminate wrinkles and smooth out your clothes, making them look fresh and wrinkle-free.
Make Your Mini Fridge
If your hotel room doesn’t have a mini fridge or you’ve run out of space, you can easily make your own. Get some ice from your hotel’s ice machine and fill up your sink with it. Then, place your bottles or containers into the ice to keep them chill for hours.
You can also use one of the hotel trash bins; just put a fresh bag into it and fill it with ice for a portable mini fridge.
Create a Humidifier
Does your room feel dry and stale when you walk into it? If so, your humidifier can easily add much-needed moisture. Put a small table or stand in front of the air vent, and then drape a towel under hot water on top of it.
This hack will keep your room from getting too dry and make your night sleep much more comfortable.
DIY a Door Lock
While hotel rooms are typically always equipped with door locks, there’s no harm in adding an extra layer of protection to make you feel safe and secure during your stay. Take an extra hanger and attach one end around the top latch of the door. Then, place the other end around the doorknob to fasten your lock.
This way, you won’t have to worry about intruders unlocking the door or breaking into your room and can have peace of mind on your trip.
Check the Back of the TV for a USB Port
Did you remember your charging port while packing for your trip? It happens to the best of us. Charging ports can be expensive, but you can still charge your phone and devices if you have a charging cable. Check the back of the TV for a USB port, as they often have them on the side.
You can charge your devices there, but be mindful of your device’s security and privacy since you’re using an unfamiliar port.
Cover the Remotes
It’s no secret that plenty of germs linger in hotel rooms. The TV remote controls are one of the biggest hotspots, as so many guests touch them daily.
Use the complimentary shower cap or a plastic bag to wrap it around the remote control. This way, you’ll still be able to see all the buttons and use the remote, usually without the germs.
Use Conditioner as Shaving Cream
You’re not alone if you’ve ever arrived at your hotel room only to realize you should have remembered to pack a staple item or two. Shaving cream is easy to forget, but before you rush out to buy some, check your hotel room for conditioner.
An essential hotel conditioner will finish the job and give you smooth, moisturized skin during your shave.
Get Extra Darkness With Painter’s Tape
This hack is for all light sleepers. If lights from the TV, alarm clock, or other devices keep you up at night, pack some painter’s tape on your next trip. Cover up the lights with the tape to make your room extra dark.
Painter’s tape is also straightforward to remove, so you don’t have to worry about sticking to any surfaces.
Childproof Your Room
Keep your kids safe by childproofing your hotel room with duct tape — a common household item you probably have lying around your home. Tape over any sharp corners, outlets, wires, and anything else that can potentially pose a risk to your children.
You’ll be able to sleep quickly, knowing your room is childproof and that your kids are safe.