Items you should bring to elevate your comfort or safety during any hotel stay.
Whenever I travel, I’ve found that a few small additions can elevate a hotel stay from ok to truly comfortable and enjoyable. Some are items I take to increase my comfort and sense of home while others may make the stay feel more secure. After having stayed in a vast range of accommodations, I have been able to narrow down a reasonable list of items that I now can't imagine traveling without. Some are very simple and small, others might need a bit of baggage room but their inclusion is worth the trade off in space.
If I know the hotel well, and know what to expect (for example, I know what I am going to get at the various Hilton hotel types) then I can usually pare it down accordingly. If I am flying in blind, I bring my A-Game. Here is a list of the essentials that make up my hotel survival kit as well as a couple of optional add-ons for specific cases.
Comfort Items
Small Collapsible Kettle
This is hands down one of my favorite travel companions. Hotel rooms often have coffee makers but rarely a proper kettle for making tea or just hot water. I am also always a little leery about how clean those coffee makers really are. Enter the small, collapsible kettle! It's perfect for boiling water for my morning cup of tea, a late-night instant soup, or my obligatory cup of chamomile before bed. Plus, because it collapses, it takes up barely any space in my luggage. A warm drink in my own mug (more on that in a bit) helps me unwind after a long day of exploring. I always prep a small tea tin (mine is a 4 compartment Moomin tin I picked up in Finland) in which I can keep an assortment of my favorite teas and even some instant coffees if I'm in a pinch. There is just something comforting about being able to maintain a familiar routine while journeying.
Travel Humidifier
Hotel air can be so dry, especially when the heating or air conditioning is running nonstop, not to mention if you happen to have arrived at the hotel via an airplane. I have always had sinus issues when I am on a long flight and staying in a hotel just compounds that even more so. That's where my travel humidifier comes to the rescue. It’s a compact little device, and some are even designed to fit into any standard water bottle (although I've read those are a tad noisy), that helps maintain moisture in the room, keeping the air less harsh on my sinuses. I’ve noticed a big difference in how I feel waking up in the morning—no more dry throat or irritated eyes. This combined with a nasal saline spray and a breathe right strip makes for much easier breathing and less snoring which helps to avoid disturbing my significant other too! Win win.
Comfortable Slippers
There's something about hotel carpets that makes me long for a buffer between my feet and the carpet. I don't want to have to wear socks in the room at all times so I always pack a pair of comfortable slippers. Not the thin, disposable kind hotels sometimes offer, but real slippers with soft, cushioned soles. Whether I’m padding around the room first thing in the morning or winding down after a long day, slipping into something that feels familiar and soft makes me feel like I’m at home, no matter how far away I am. They are also a good means to protect your feet. I know they vacuum the floors regularly but it doesn't get all the dirt and I actually stepped on a staple barefoot once during a stay and that really hurt so a good pair of slippers does more than just make it more comfortable.
Small Kitchen Set
I’ve learned to appreciate the convenience of having a small kitchen set when I travel. This includes a small cutting board, a travel cutlery set (complete with a serrated knife), and my trusty ceramic mug. Why? Because I often find myself picking up fresh fruits, cheeses, or other snacks from local markets, and being able to cut and prepare them properly without relying on hotel utensils (which are often non-existent or are flimsy plastic that will utterly destroy an apple) is a game-changer. I've tried to use napkins to cut on not wanting to put food directly on any surface but that never worked. Bringing along my own small cutting board was a great solution. And my own ceramic mug? It feels so much better to sip coffee or tea from something sturdy and familiar instead of a paper cup or tiny hotel glass.
Note: The TSA will not permit serrated blades of any type (metal, bamboo or otherwise) in a carry-on bag so if you are flying you will need to put this item in a checked bag. You can take a round-bladed butter knife in a carry-on but you will obviously lose the effectiveness of the blade when trying to cut those fruits and veggies up.
Chip Clips
Why is this in comfort? Well, apart from using them to close bags of snacks that I often get just to have something in the room for a late night nibble (White cheddar popcorn? YES!), I can also use them to help keep the curtains closed if they are the annoying kind that don't properly overlap and allow light to seep in. I stayed at a Vegas hotel once that had a massive neon sign right outside my window and with the A/C on it would cause the curtains to flap open and close which gave me an all night strobe. I started bringing the clips with me ever since. The hotel didn't have the type of clothing hangers that had the clips on them if you were wondering why I didn't use that hack...
Sanitation and Safety
Antibacterial Wipes
These are a cornerstone of my sanitation kit. Hotel rooms can hide germs in unexpected places, like TV remotes, light switches, and door handles. I mean seriously YUCK; studies show these items can be nasty. I use small antibacterial wipes to quickly sanitize these high-touch areas when I first arrive. I also make sure to give the faucets and toilet seat a wipe upon arrival and after any room cleaning service since the rags and brushes they use can have a lot of cross contamination. It only takes a minute or two, and I feel so much more at ease knowing I’ve given these spots an extra clean. When I leave the room I also make sure to have a small bottle of hand sanitizer with me to wipe my hands after touching high contact surfaces like elevator buttons, bathroom door handles and the like. Paranoid? Nope! Especially not heading in to cold and flu season, I'm not. I use to get sick traveling all the time but now that I pay a bit more attention to proper cleaning I rarely do.
Poo-Pourri Spray
This is one of those items I never knew I needed until I started using it. Poo-Pourri spray is a pre-toilet spray that traps unpleasant odors, keeping the bathroom fresh for everyone. Just put about 3-4 spritzes into the toilet bowl when you first arrive and again after each flush to keep the odors at bay. It’s discreet, easy to pack, and a little luxury that makes a big difference especially when sharing a space with others or staying in a room with limited ventilation. Each one is a perfect little size at 1 ounce, TSA approved, and will give about 50 uses (presumably 150+ spritzes worth) so it should be sufficient for a weeklong trip.
Small Fabric Freshener Spray
Hotel rooms can sometimes smell a bit stale, or may have lingering pet odors if it is a pet friendly hotel. That can be particularly noticeable on soft furnishings like the bedspread, fabric chairs, curtains, and even sections of the carpet. A travel-sized fabric freshener spray helps keep these types of materials smelling clean and fresh. I usually like give the curtains, couch/chairs, and bedspread a quick spritz when I settle in. It really does make a world of difference. I use Febreze already around the house to combat the smell of the pets so I figured the travel size ones would be ideal for the hotel rooms. At 2.8 ounces they are TSA friendly too.
Small Flashlight
I always have one of these in my carry-on. I use it if I am out walking at night. I use it to check the room for signs of bed bugs. I use it if I need to get up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break or the like and I don't want to disturb anyone else that is sleeping. I also like to know I have it in case of a power outage, emergency, or fire etc. Your phone may have that built in but do you really want to be draining your phone battery with the light if you are in a real emergency? Get yourself a small LED flashlight like this one and save yourself the worry. I have 4 of these little (1.38 x 1.38 x 4.68 inches) LUXPRO hand held ones stashed at strategic points in the house. 2 are the AAA battery type and one is a USB-C rechargeable type. I usually take the AAA battery one with me when traveling. LUXPRO even makes some fun glow in the dark gel colored models too if you prefer. Another reason I bring the flashlight is to check the room thoroughly for any signs of bed bugs. Ugh!
Heavy Duty Wedge Door Stoppers
A simple but effective way to better secure a hotel room door. They will certainly make it much harder (and louder!) for someone to try and force their way into your room giving you time to react. These rubber door stops are strong and elastic, thick, durable and not easily deformed. The $3.99 for a two pack is a small price to pay for a little extra peace of mind. You can get them equipped with an alarm (might be handy to hear if the kids are trying to get out while you nap) for a little more money. If you are at one of those hotels that have a sliding glass door entrance you might consider a security bar as well.
Optionals
These are a few items that I've included as I know some who take them along. There are a couple here that I might use (mini laundry kit for example) in certain circumstances but not often enough that I'd have it in my usual kit. I already use an Eagle Creek hanging toiletry kit (and love it!) so I wouldn't use the over the door type but I guess if you travel with several pairs of shoes it might be nice.
Electronic Bug and Hidden Camera Detector
This one is more for those staying at an AirBnB, or other similar property and you are nervous whether they have installed hidden cameras or the like. There are several products out there that can give you that peace of mind to ensure that your privacy is secure.
Amazon Fire Stick (or Similar)
I know, hotels these days are typically offering better and better televisions. Most of your large chains are going to have a Smart TV in the room, but that might not always be the case. I personally have stayed at a couple of countryside BnBs and some hotels in smaller towns that still only offered local cable. Having my fire stick with me allowed me to access Netflix, Prime, etc. so I was able to keep the family entertained. Many may not realize it but you can use an Amazon Fire TV device in Europe (and other locations) if it's HDMI compatible and you change your Amazon account's country settings. However, content availability varies by country, and some apps and games may not work in your new country.
Portable White Noise Machine
If you're a light sleeper or find it difficult to sleep with unfamiliar sounds, a portable white noise machine may help you get a good night's rest (although a double single malt scotch rocks might also accomplish the same). Some even double as Bluetooth speakers for music or podcasts during the day.
Personal Pillowcase
Bringing your own pillowcase can be a comforting touch of home. Even if hotel pillows are comfy, having the familiar texture and scent of your own pillowcase can make a big difference in sleep quality and comfort for some.
Multi-USB Charger or Power strip
With phones, tablets, cameras, and other gadgets, it can be frustrating when there aren't enough outlets in the hotel room. A multi-USB charger or a power strip lets you charge several devices at once, ensuring everything stays powered up without hunting for extra outlets. I admit there are a couple times I really could have used a power strip. I stayed at one hotel in Napa that had one available outlet. One! The other two had TV and lights already in use. (Ok, there was also one in the bathroom but that's just not convenient)
Travel-Sized Laundry Kit
A travel-sized laundry kit, including a small bottle of detergent and a portable clothesline, is helpful if you're on a longer trip and want to wash a few items in the sink (this I have done with socks and underwear a few times but I just hung them over a chair to dry). It keeps you from having to pack tons of extra clothes and also avoids the high cost of hotel laundry services.
* If you do pack a couple off clothes pins, you could use them to help close the room curtains instead of using the aforementioned chip clip.
Over-the-Door Organizer
An over-the-door shoe or toiletry organizer provides extra space to keep small items, toiletries, or accessories neatly arranged and easily accessible. It’s particularly useful in small hotel rooms where counter space can be limited.
Summary
So there you have it. A fairly comprehensive list of items that can really make an impact to your hotel stay. I am sure many of you have an item or two that you'd love to see on this list. I'm curious if others have assembled a hotel survival kit of their own. What would yours be?
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