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Hotel Tips

Hotel Tips Bring an over-the-door shoe organizer - Hotel tip

by Cindy Coulter (RSS feed) on Aug 13th, 2010 at 11:37PM

One of the biggest frustrations when traveling is staying organized in your hotel room. An over-the-door shoe organizer is one of the most helpful items you can pack.

After you check-in, hang this on the bathroom door and fill it with all of your toiletries or other items – yes, even shoes. The clear plastic variety is the best, so you can see the contents – and so can everyone else in your traveling party.

It works great for toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair brushes/combs, hairspray, aspirin, rain ponchos, etc. Everything is at your fingertips!

Check the alarm upon arrival - Hotel tip

by Jane E. Nichols (RSS feed) on Aug 13th, 2010 at 11:28PM

I don't know if it's the maid setting the room's alarm clock as a prank, or the occupants prior to my stay. In any case, too many times I have been abruptly awakened to a blaring alarm or loud music booming at my head from the nightstand.

Not the best way to start off a relaxing vacation.

Therefore, it's become my custom to check -- and turn off! -- the room-provided alarm clock when I first arrive so there will not be any surprises at dawn. Or worse: at pre-dawn.

[Photo: Flickr | Robert S. Donovan]

Bring an A/V cable for your laptop - Hotel tip

by Linsey Knerl (RSS feed) on Aug 11th, 2010 at 11:28PM

Many hotels offer high-speed wireless from the room, and the more upscale rooms will provide a decent-sized HDTV, as well. By bringing an audio/visual cord compatible with your laptop, you can plug right into most TVs, giving you instant access to all your online content on that beautiful in-room screen.

In addition to making use of a Netflix instant viewing account or Hulu, you'll be able to bypass overpriced in-room movies (costing $12 or more) in lieu of a $4 new release at the Amazon On Demand Store!

Pro tip: Overcome bandwidth issues by downloading your flick before you arrive.

[Photo: Flickr | wlodi]

Good hotel coffee starts with ice - Hotel tip

by Debra Peterson (RSS feed) on Aug 10th, 2010 at 12:28PM

If you like to wake up to a good cup of coffee, you know the appeal of having a coffee maker in your hotel room. But if you love coffee, then you also know hotel coffee can taste pretty mediocre, especially when made with tap water.

To make a better coffee, take advantage of the hotel's ice machines -- they use filtered water. Simply fill your coffee maker with ice the night before, and let it melt. You'll enjoy the difference the free filtered water makes to your morning cup – and to your tastebuds.

Read more about coffee makers:
* Sterilize baby bottles using the hotel room coffee machine
* Cook with the coffee pot

[Photo: Flickr | stevendepolo]

Carry a door stop - Hotel tip

by Heather Thomas (RSS feed) on Aug 9th, 2010 at 11:07AM

Ever worry that you might have an unwelcome visitor during the night in your hotel room? While most hotels have a deadbolt or a chain lock which can be engaged only from the interior of a hotel room, many cheap accommodations -- especially some found overseas -- offer less protection for their guests.

To deal with this, I carry a small rubber wedge that is normally used to hold doors open with me. Before I go to bed, I wedge it between the door and the floor. It's inexpensive, easy to pack, and gives me a little peace of mind when patronizing less-than-glamorous lodgings.

[Photo: Flickr | General Wesc]

Borrow a charger from the front desk - Hotel tip

by Melanie Kiser (RSS feed) on Aug 9th, 2010 at 10:07AM

For every person who forgets their charger at home, another person leaves their charger in their room at checkout.

If you go down to the desk and ask nicely, they might offer you a big box of left-behind cords to sort through for a charger that fits your phone, computer, or whatever.

This saves money and time better spent having fun, and if you don't care about paying it forward to the next forgetful traveler, you can usually keep the abandoned charger.

Also ask about international electricity adapters if in need-- they'll almost always be able to accommodate you there.

[Photo: Flickr | Gary Bridgman]

Avoid settling for the "Block Rate" - Hotel tip

by Seed (RSS feed) on Aug 9th, 2010 at 9:07AM

For seven years I worked in every facet of the hotel industry, including serving as an Assistant Manager. The best advice I can give to anyone reserving a room for a wedding or other special event, is to not book it under the "block" of rooms reserved by the bride and groom or the person responsible for planning the special event.

Typically, the corporate rate is what is given to wedding parties and special events, and this rate is higher than other discounted rates. You would be better served to reserve with your AAA membership, AARP membership, or hotel rewards membership.

[Photo Flickr | the_toe_stubber]

Call at night for the most personalized service - Hotel tip

by Jacqueline Thomas (RSS feed) on Aug 8th, 2010 at 11:07AM

If you're a night owl, and have a lot of questions about your upcoming hotel stay, the best time to call the hotel for details is around midnight. Because the hotel is likely to be less busy during these times, you will likely receive more focused service.

This may also a great time to ask questions about the surrounding city.

[Photo: Flickr | StephenMitchell]

Hotel stationery makes a great (and free) souvenir - Souvenir tip

by RHardikar (RSS feed) on Jun 22nd, 2010 at 5:23PM

Instead of buying traditional souvenirs like art, postcards or even a miniature of a famous monument, here's a great non-traditional way to remember your trips: pick up a sheet and envelope of the hotel stationery.

Most hotels keep some sort of stationery in the rooms -- whether they are tiny little scratch-pads or elegant letter-writing paper -- and envelopes which have the hotel's logo and address on them.

You can use these as backdrops in your photo albums or scrapbooks, or even write something memorable about your trip on them and save them in a photo album.

Leave notes to yourself without the hassle of paper - Hotel tip

by Pauline (RSS feed) on Jun 22nd, 2010 at 4:28PM

If you often leave items in hotel rooms, remind yourself by writing it down -- but write it on a mirror with a dry erase marker instead of on a piece of paper you could easily overlook.

Dry erase markers can be wiped off mirrors easily with toilet paper, napkins, or even a towel, and there won't be scraps of paper everywhere.

You could leave notes to yourself and you can be sure that you'll see those notes later.

Just be careful of bathroom mirrors, because you might accidentally wipe those notes away after showering, if the mirror steams up.

If the hotel charges for Internet access, ask for a room on a lower floor - Hotel tip

by Alex Sharp (RSS feed) on Jun 22nd, 2010 at 11:33AM

Hotels in city areas are usually surrounded by cafes and other places that offer free wi-fi hotspots. Rooms on higher floors (above traffic light levels) usually can not pick up strong signals, but a good wi-fi detector can find a strong signal from a first or second floor room.

Sometimes an encrypted connection is free for customers, so getting internet access might be as easy as stopping in, buying some coffee-to-go, and asking for an access code. Test out the connection in the lobby or hallway before actually switching rooms.

[Photo credit: Flickr user dana~2, used in accordance with Creative Commons]

Use a t-shirt as a pillow case - Hotel tip

by Joanna Collins (RSS feed) on Jun 21st, 2010 at 4:28PM

You've already gotten the benefit of wearing your t-shirt. Now, make that shirt work just a little harder.

If you're concerned about the cleanliness of your pillow, the inside of your shirt is probably cleaner (or at least more acceptable) to lie on than a suspect pillowcase. Simply turn the shirt inside-out, slide it over your pillow, and you're good to go... to sleep.

[Photo: Flickr | bandita]

Sterilize baby bottles using the hotel room coffee machine - Hotel tip

by Melanie Zoltan (RSS feed) on Apr 20th, 2010 at 4:37PM

Traveling with baby and need to sterilize bottles? Try this --

Wash bottles, nipples and rings thoroughly using the hotel soap and hot running water.Rinse and set aside.
Plug the bathroom sink. Place clean bottles, nipples and rings in sink.
Fill the coffee machine with water and turn on (do not add coffee, tea or filter packets! Just water!).
Let water heat up and fill the carafe.
Pour hot water from the carafe over the bottles, nipples and rings.
Repeat until the bottle items are completely submerged in hot water.
Let sit for five or more minutes.
Remove from water and use as needed.

Breathe easy with an electronic air filter - Hotel tip

by Patricia Pickett (RSS feed) on Apr 19th, 2010 at 4:40PM

Many hotel rooms have windows that don't open, or that can't be opened out of safety concerns. Such rooms may be perfectly clean, but they still tend to smell stale or musty. There also can be a hint of smoke in the air, even in a non-smoking area.

I used to ask to be moved to another room, but they were all the same! I've learned to ask instead for an electronic air filter I can plug in. Overseas, I might ask for a floor fan. Both work fast and do wonders to circulate and clear the air.

Bonus: both these items provide restful background "white noise."

Getting the "local rate" - Hotel tip

by Devyn Fajardo-Williams (RSS feed) on Apr 18th, 2010 at 4:39PM

In many places, hotels offer special lower rates to locals in order to increase occupancy. This is particularly true on last-minute stays or when bookings have been low, and is especially applicable to overseas travel.

If you're going to a place where you have family or friends, ask them to inquire directly about any special rates or promotions that may be available.

Having them book on your behalf can save you some serious cash.

Count the doors between your room and the exit - Hotel tip

by Amanda Stockwell Pritt (RSS feed) on Apr 14th, 2010 at 4:41PM

After checking into your hotel room, go back out and count the doors from your room to the nearest stairway.

In case of fire, the stairway may be the only way out. If you had to crawl under a blanket of thick smoke, you could just feel the doors and count down until you know you have reached the safety of the stairway.

Don't forget to pack your trusty flashlight, in case you need to exit during a blackout.

Pack travel candles - Hotel tip

by Julie Thompson (RSS feed) on Apr 1st, 2010 at 2:01PM

Travel candles solve a few of the typical hotel room woes, particularly for budget travelers:

1.) They mask the scent of overpowering cleaners (or worse, but let's not go there).
2.) They provide a soothing, romantic ambiance.
3.) Some scents, like lavender, help you fall asleep easier in unfamiliar surroundings.

Several companies, including The Travel Tin Company, make portable travel candles that are clean burning (no wall smudges or waxy drips) and safer than regular candles since they're contained in a tin.

For under $10, travel candles go a long way in creating a comfortable atmosphere in your hotel home away from home.

Bring clothespins and sleep in - Hotel tip

by Meg Massie (RSS feed) on Mar 31st, 2010 at 2:06PM

Why is it always impossible to close hotel curtains all the way? It's always that little sliver of light that shines through the crack in the hotel curtains that'll wake you up on a vacation morning when you very much want to sleep in.

Remember to pack a few clothespins in your bag whenever you travel, and wake up on your own terms by pinning the curtains together.

Closing that little gap will keep your room a lot darker by blocking the morning sun. You'll also block the street and other outdoor lights at night.

Disconnect the video games - Hotel tip

by Megan Haverlah (RSS feed) on Mar 30th, 2010 at 2:05PM

When checking in to a hotel, ask the front desk to disconnect the video games from the TV.

When someone plays the games, the front desk automatically charges your room. If you're unaware that your children have been playing video games while you are in the shower, you may have a surprise on your bill.

Label your power cords - Hotel tip

by Betsy Bender (RSS feed) on Mar 18th, 2010 at 2:33PM

Today's tech-savvy world requires a lot of equipment to stay "plugged-in." Cell phones, laptops, and MP3 players all require power cords to recharge. Since these items don't need to be plugged in all the time, it's easy to forget your power cords when checking out of a hotel.

Increase your chances of recovery by writing your name and contact information on a piece of masking tape and securing the tape to your power cord. Be sure to write clearly, and use an indelible marker, such as a Sharpie, so the information will not smear or rub off.

Before you check out, simply grab all the cords with your name on them. If you accidentally forget one, you can easily call the hotel and say, "I forgot my cord. Mine is the one with my name and address on it."