1. Toss the Pillow First
Flight attendants often recommend tossing the pillow off the bed as soon as you enter your hotel room. The idea isn’t to be rude but to draw attention to it. Pillows are sometimes overlooked during cleanings, so removing it makes housekeeping more likely to replace it with a fresh one. It also gives you a chance to inspect the bedding more carefully before you settle in. If the pillow looks stained, smells odd, or seems worn out, request a replacement right away. Many travelers bring their own pillowcases or even a travel pillow to ensure comfort and hygiene. It’s a small but practical first step that sets the tone for a cleaner, safer stay.
2. Cover the Remote
One of the dirtiest items in a hotel room is the television remote, and flight attendants swear by this hack to avoid germs. Since remotes are touched daily but rarely sanitized, it’s best to use a barrier before handling one. Simply cover it with a tissue, paper towel, or even slip it inside the hotel’s shower cap to avoid direct contact. Some travelers also carry small plastic zipper bags for this purpose. You’ll still be able to use the buttons without worrying about unseen bacteria or sticky residue. If you prefer, you can also wipe the remote down with disinfectant wipes before covering it. This simple precaution takes seconds but saves you from an unnecessary risk.
3. Never Go Barefoot
No matter how spotless a hotel room looks, seasoned travelers warn against walking barefoot on the carpet. Hotel floors endure heavy traffic and aren’t cleaned as thoroughly as they appear. Carpets, in particular, trap dust, germs, and even spills that vacuuming doesn’t always remove. Instead, keep a pair of socks, slippers, or flip-flops on hand to protect your feet. This habit not only keeps you more hygienic but also helps prevent small cuts or skin irritations from contact with unknown surfaces. Flight attendants, who spend much of their lives in hotels, stress this as one of the simplest and most effective habits to practice during travel. It’s a minor adjustment that can make your stay much more comfortable.
4. Clip Curtains Shut
Getting a good night’s sleep while traveling can be tricky, especially when hotel curtains don’t fully close and let in unwanted light. Flight attendants solve this problem with a pants hanger from the closet. By using the clips to hold both sides of the curtains together, you block out streetlights, morning sun, or even hallway brightness that seeps through the gaps. This little trick is especially helpful when you’re adjusting to a new time zone or need extra rest before an early flight. If you don’t have a hanger handy, safety pins or travel clips work just as well. Darkness plays a key role in quality sleep, and this quick hack ensures you get the restful night you need.
5. Adjust Thermostat Early
When you first check into your room, one of the smartest moves is to set the thermostat right away. Room temperatures take time to adjust, so waiting until you’re ready to sleep or relax may leave you uncomfortable for hours. Flight attendants recommend making this one of your first steps so the air has time to warm up or cool down before you need it. For example, if you prefer sleeping in a cooler room, lowering the temperature early ensures you don’t wake up sweaty. On the flip side, a chilly room can be warmed up gradually while you unpack. By thinking ahead, you make your stay much more comfortable without any last-minute frustration.
6. Keep a Go-Bag Ready
Frequent travelers often save time and stress by keeping a small toiletry and essentials pouch always packed. Flight attendants recommend having one ready with travel-sized toiletries, chargers, medications, and other must-haves so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. This way, even if you get a sudden trip or layover, you’re good to go without repacking everything. A ready-to-grab kit also reduces the risk of forgetting important items like toothbrushes, adapters, or headphones. Many people even keep duplicates of essentials, like an extra phone charger, just for their travel bag. It’s a simple but effective way to streamline travel and stay organized.
7. Block Door Light
Hotel doors rarely seal completely, and light often streams in from the hallway at night. This can disturb sleep and even make the room feel less private. Flight attendants fix this by rolling up a towel and tucking it against the door’s bottom edge. The towel not only blocks the light but also muffles sound from the hallway, creating a quieter, cozier space. If you’re a light sleeper, this little step makes a big difference in rest quality. Some travelers also carry a small draft stopper, but a towel works just as well in a pinch. It’s an easy way to make your room more restful without special gear.
8. Check Hiding Spots
Before you settle in, flight attendants suggest taking a quick look behind curtains, under the bed, and in dark corners. While it may seem overly cautious, this habit is about both safety and peace of mind. Checking ensures no one has left personal belongings behind and reassures you that no surprises are lurking where they shouldn’t be. It also helps spot items like forgotten trash or spills that housekeeping may have missed. Parents traveling with kids find this especially useful, since children may crawl into spaces you might not normally notice. A one-minute scan provides reassurance and sets you up for a more comfortable stay.
9. Carry a Travel Lock
Flight attendants often carry portable door locks or jammers to add an extra layer of security in hotel rooms. While most hotels are safe, having your own lock ensures that no one can enter with a master key or by accident. These small devices are lightweight, easy to pack, and provide peace of mind when you’re sleeping or traveling alone. Some locks fit directly into the latch, while others wedge under the door. Either way, it makes your room feel more private and secure. For travelers who move frequently between hotels, this small investment goes a long way in creating a safe and restful environment.
10. Keep the Sign Up
Even when you leave your room, keeping the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door can discourage unwanted entry. Flight attendants use this trick to make it seem like the room is occupied, reducing the chance of theft or unnecessary interruptions. While housekeeping may skip your room during the day, you can always request extra towels or supplies at the front desk instead. This simple habit creates an added layer of privacy and prevents staff, or strangers, from walking in unexpectedly. It’s especially useful for solo travelers or anyone carrying valuables, as it helps maintain the illusion that someone is always inside.
11. Choose Middle Floors
When booking a hotel, flight attendants often request mid-level floors rather than the ground floor or very top levels. The ground floor is more accessible to outsiders, making it less secure, while uppermost floors can be harder to reach quickly in emergencies. Middle floors strike a balance between safety and convenience. They’re also often quieter, away from street noise but not directly under rooftop equipment. Choosing these levels may seem minor, but it improves overall comfort and peace of mind. Frequent travelers know that a good room location can make just as much difference as the amenities inside.
12. Bring a Power Strip
Hotels often don’t provide enough outlets for all your devices, and the few available are sometimes tucked behind furniture. Flight attendants solve this by carrying a compact power strip or multi-port adapter. With it, you can charge your phone, laptop, tablet, and other electronics all in one place, without swapping cords or waiting for one to finish. Some strips also have USB ports built in, making them even more versatile. This hack is especially handy for business travelers or families with multiple devices. It keeps everything organized and ensures you never run out of charging space when you need it most.
13. Use the Coffee Maker
A clever trick many flight attendants use is repurposing the hotel coffee maker as a mini kettle. With some hot water, you can easily prepare instant oatmeal, ramen, or tea right in your room. This is especially helpful when you want a quick meal without ordering room service or heading out. Just be sure to clean the coffee maker first, as it may not be thoroughly washed between guests. Running a cycle of plain water before using it helps remove old residue. It’s a practical way to save money, eat on your own schedule, and get creative with limited resources while traveling.
14. Wash Hotel Glasses
Those neat-looking glasses sitting by the sink may not be as clean as they appear. Flight attendants warn that hotel staff often wipe them with cloths instead of properly washing them between guests. To be safe, rinse or wash the glasses with hot water and soap before using them. If that’s not possible, stick to the wrapped disposable cups many hotels provide. This simple step prevents you from drinking out of something that could carry bacteria, dust, or leftover residue. It’s a quick habit that helps you avoid unnecessary risks while enjoying your stay.
15. Set a Nap Timer
Jet lag can ruin a trip if you’re not careful, which is why flight attendants recommend setting a short nap timer upon arrival. The key is to keep naps under 30 minutes, just enough to refresh your body without slipping into deep sleep. Longer naps can make you feel groggy and delay your body’s adjustment to the local time zone. Setting an alarm ensures you wake up in time to enjoy the day and reset your internal clock gradually. This trick helps travelers adapt faster and avoid losing their first few days to exhaustion.
16. Recheck the Safe
One of the easiest mistakes travelers make is forgetting valuables inside the hotel safe. Flight attendants stress the importance of double-checking it before checkout. Items like passports, jewelry, or cash are easy to overlook when you’re rushing to leave. To prevent this, make it part of your packing routine to always check the safe last. Some travelers even place a reminder note on the door or bed to jog their memory. Taking this extra minute ensures you don’t leave behind something irreplaceable and saves you the stress of dealing with lost items later.
17. Put a Shoe in the Safe
A clever hack for never forgetting items in the safe is to place one of your shoes in with your valuables. Since you won’t leave the hotel without both shoes, you’ll be forced to open the safe before you go. Flight attendants swear by this trick as it combines habit with practicality, ensuring nothing gets left behind. Whether it’s your passport, wallet, or electronics, pairing them with something you can’t leave without guarantees you’ll remember them. It’s a simple, foolproof method to prevent one of the most common travel mistakes.
This story From the Plane Seat to Your Hotel Room, Here Are 17 Tips for a Smooth Travel was first published on Daily FETCH
