Travel Hacks: Hotel Room Tips and Tricks

I just heard that a scam that some criminals are using is they put what looks like a genuine restaurant delivery menu in the hotel rooms.. They take your order and credit card number and never intend to deliver. Always check the internet if it's the same number as menu. I hope that makes sense. ☺️

If you’re using the in room safe, on your last night get the pair of shoes you plan to wear when checking out and traveling. Leave one shoe in the safe, and one on the floor. This prompts you to really check the safe is empty before checking out.

I really appreciate the fact that you went straight into the video. No long introduction or word salad. Just straight to the point. Love your tips! I'm flying for the 1st time in a few weeks & after watching your videos, I feel super prepared. Thank you!!

I really like the hint about pointing your shoes towards the exit. I've never thought about that.

My son is in the military so we’ve been doing ALOT of traveling. I watch your channel religiously! My husband asked me why we’re getting so many Amazon orders? I said “Laurie said i need these things!” You’ve helped me so much! Thank you in abundance!

Check the air conditioning before unpacking. Also check the safe and the TV remote (if you are planning on watching TV). Check whatever is important (more towels etc...) so you don't have to hang around waiting for the tech guy etc... shows up. Waiting cuts back on vacation time. I'm speaking from experience. Love your videos - I've gotten lots of good ideas/

After hearing how hotels don't always clean the bedspreads and blankets between guests, I NEVER lie on top of them. If I'm staying in one place for awhile, I unpack my packing cubes and don't refill them with my used/dirty clothe; I lay them flat in my carry-on suitcase. I only keep my clean ones in them and use a hotel plastic laundry bag to separate the clean clothes from the dirty ones.

Hacks: if you need a bathing suit to dry quickly, lay flat on a towel and roll up. Then twist as much as you can. Bathing suit will be damp and dry quickly. Pack old PJs and socks and toss instead of take home. Use the usb on the hotel tv to charge your phone Buy laundry bar at the grocery store for $.99 to do laundry in the sink. Bring 2 clothes pins. Use them to hang laundry or use them to mark which towel is yours. Pack baggies or containers to pack daily snacks at breakfast. Pack powdered flavored coffee creamer and instant coffee if you drink coffee.

So, we always leave a note and a cash tip for daily service. Have always received excellent care and the tips are always appreciated. Also, brag on hotel staff. Taking a few few minutes to say thank you and job well-done brightens their day.

One trick we were taught was to always pack a plain handkerchief for when you iron - put it atop the item you're ironing as a protection barrier.

I leave my items in their packing cubes too, whether visiting friends/family, on a camping/road trip, or staying in a hotel. I haven’t used my new compression cubes yet but will be excited to see how they work out! I categorize like items in each cube and then slip a hang tag on each cube’s carry handle and label what group of stuff is in there. SUPER helpful 🙂

I appreciate that you suggesting the hotel room alarm clock to see if any alarms are set.1 time I unplug the clock and put it in the drawer since I have my phone and didn't need it but didn't realize that it was still running on batteries and, sure enough and alarm went off at 4:00 AM! So check for alarms even if you unplug in the clock!

I don’t unpack my clothes out my suitcase. For a while, there were issues with bed bugs even in high end hotels so I don’t want to bring any unwanted guests home. I leave the suitcase on the luggage stand provided.

Great tips. I bring extra grocery/trash bags from home (two or three) to have as extra trash bags or for dirty laundry. Also, travel size Lysol wipes to wipe down handles and counter tops just in case anything was missed during cleaning.

Travel Tips: *If international, pack a cable w/ a combination lock to secure your suitcases/bags/purse, etc. when riding on a train, subway/metro or bus to prevent theft. *Place your foot through a bag strap (for your bags on the floor) when at a hotel counter to prevent theft. (A female had her soft luggage bag stolen from the floor soon after she arrived at a 5-star hotel counter in Paris by a man who used his foot through her bag strap & stealthily dragged it away). *Pack a drain stopper because some hotels/motels don’t have one for the bathtub. *Wear a Sky ID holder when taking a flight. Include ID, passport, boarding pass, small notepad/pen, ear plugs, sticks of gum, Gas-X (for nervous tummy); Tylenol Extra-Strength & Benedryl (for night flight). *Pack a headlamp flashlight, lantern flashlight & tiny flashlights. *For a hotel room, avoid booking a room near the ice machine, elevator or stairwell (>noise). *Pack a battery-operated travel clock w/ batteries. *Use Post-it Notes on the inside of your hotel door to remind you what not to forget to pack back up when you leave. *Pack moleskin (in case of blisters); Ace wraps (sprains); Sunblock, Magnesium 200-250 mg (sore muscles), Tinactin (to prevent foot fungus). Wear flip flops when using the shower. Pack non-slip material. *If swimming in a pool, bring a bathing cap & use a permanent marker to write down combination lock numbers on the inside of it. *Pack 3 money belts: 1 to wear; 1 to wash; & 1 that’s drying. Store luggage locks in them & cc’s of important documents & cc’s of passport, flight info; important phone #’s & email addresses & cc’s of bank card info. *Wear an elastic abdominal back support when carting luggage.

As a very light sleeper who has trouble sleeping in hotels, two of my best hacks are a white noise app on my phone (the one I use has a timer) and a 2-ounce bottle of linen spray for spritzing on the pillow to make the bed seem more familiar (smells just like home). Love your channel, Laurie!

I used to work at a hotel both in housekeeping and laundry. not every stain could be removed from towels even having great system and stain remover. we would have to cut them up and housekeeping would use as rags. I suggest trying to be respectful of this when cleaning up messes or make up with them. also anything left behind would be held for 30 days then if a guest didn't reclaim it would go up for grabs in the housekeeping staff. if a room isn't cleaned spotless or to a guests expectations during stay, we were not allowed to even move a suitcase or any items left out on desks ect. if I stay at a hotel ever I try to remember those things and tidy up so things can be easier for the housekeeping.

My tip is to look up numbers and locations of nearby pharmacies that deliver and 24 hour urgent care centers near the location of your resort before you arrive. Recently my husband had an allergic reaction while we were on vacation. When you are panicked it helps to save a step by knowing this information ahead of time. Precious moments can be lost waiting on the concierge. Also, make sure to pack a list of prescription medicines and insurance info. in your bag. We have used many of your tips in our travels. Thank you!

If I’m staying at a hotel for more than 3 nights, I unpack my cubes into drawers. It’s easier to keep organized. On the flip side, I keep all my toiletries and makeup in their bags, not out on the sink counter. (Except the toothbrush). Love your videos Laurie. They are very helpful and clear - lots of info packed into a short video!

I leave underwear and pads in packing cubes and put in drawers. I hang up slacks, skirts, and tops. I bring plastic grocery bags, fold my dirty laundry into them, and when full, put into empty packing cubes. When it's time to pack up half the job is done. Grocery bags keep packing cubes clean.