17 Genius Hotel Hacks to Maximize Your Comfort in Your Hotel Room

Staying at a hotel is like giving yourself a special little gift. Whether it’s for pleasure or work, there’s always that little thrill of excitement when you slide the key card into the door and finally discover your room.

After checking into at least a hundred hotels (and even living in hotel rooms for weeks on end for work), I’ve picked up a solid collection of tips. Some are surprising, others are incredibly practical—even for everyday life.

Here are 17 tricks to make every hotel stay an even more enjoyable experience.

1. Use the Coffee Maker as a Multifunctional Device

It’s not just for making coffee! Use it to heat water for tea or, better yet, to whip up some instant noodles to enjoy in the comfort of your hotel room.

2. Protect Yourself from Germs on the Remote Control

The remote control is often the least cleaned item in a hotel room, making it a potential germ hotspot. Instead of pulling out your entire disinfection kit, pop it into a shower cap or the small plastic bag from the ice bucket. It’s a simple and effective solution.

Bonus: Reuse that same shower cap to wrap your shoes when packing your suitcase at the end of your trip.

3. Hack the Room Key Card for Power Access

Some hotel rooms require you to insert the key card to activate the electricity. Here’s a little secret: any card (like your shiny new gym membership card from those New Year’s resolutions) will do the trick.

This way, you can leave your electronics charging while you’re out.

4. Turn the Couch into a Family-Friendly Sleeping Space

Travelling with kids and worried about them falling out of bed? Turn the sofa towards the wall to create a mini secure bed. Even two small chairs can double as a makeshift bed if you position them facing each other.

5. Make Painter’s Tape a Packing Essential

You might never have thought of it, but a roll of painter’s tape is lightweight, compact, and incredibly versatile. It can help in situations like:

• Covering electrical outlets if you have little ones.
• Blocking blinking lights from appliances or an overly bright microwave screen.
• Entertaining your kids by creating a track or road on the floor for their toy cars.

6. Steam Wrinkled Clothes the Express Way

No motivation to pull out the iron? Hang your clothes on a hanger in the bathroom while taking a hot shower. The steam will work its magic.

7. Charge Your Devices Using the TV’s Hidden USB Port

If there aren’t enough outlets in your room or you forgot the plug for your charging cable, simply plug your devices into the TV’s USB port. Problem solved!

8. Control the Airflow from the Air Conditioner

When the air conditioner blows too hard, improvise by placing a chair in front of the unit to redirect the airflow. Goodbye, igloo vibes!

9. Inspect for Bedbugs Before Settling In

Before unpacking your luggage, leave them in the bathroom where there’s no carpet. Then, carefully inspect the corners of the mattress and under the fitted sheet for any signs of bedbugs.

10. Get Free Water at the Gym

More and more hotels no longer provide free bottled water. Don’t panic—head to the gym, where you’ll almost always find a water fountain or dispenser to refill your reusable bottles.

‍

11. Use Hangers for Total Darkness

Nothing’s worse than hotel curtains that let in slivers of light. Use the hangers with clips (usually found in the closet) to keep them tightly shut. Plan ahead by packing a few binder clips in your luggage in case there are no hangers.

12. Dry Clothes Quickly on a Heated Towel Rack

Some hotels, especially in Europe, include a heated towel rack in the bathroom. If your room has this little luxury, consider yourself lucky! Not only will you have warm towels after your shower, but you can also use it to quickly dry hand-washed clothes.

13. Use Conditioner as a Shaving Cream Substitute

Forgot your shaving cream? Hotel conditioner to the rescue! It works as a perfect substitute, offering a smooth glide while hydrating your skin.

14. Humidify the Air with a Damp Towel

Hotel room air often feels as dry as the Sahara Desert. A quick DIY fix: dampen a towel, wring it out, and hang it near your bed to slightly humidify the air.

15. Repurpose the Ironing Board for Extra Space

If you’re short on space in the bathroom or on countertops, the ironing board can double as a handy work surface. Set it up and use it to hold your toiletries, prepare your belongings, or even lay out your takeaway meals.

16. Block Noise and Light with a Door Draft Stopper

Roll up a towel and place it at the bottom of the door to block hallway light and reduce noise disturbances during the night.

17. Mention Special Occasions to Unlock VIP Perks

Is your hotel stay for a special occasion, like a birthday or anniversary? Don’t hesitate to mention it when booking or checking in. You might score an upgrade, chocolates, a bottle of wine, or other thoughtful perks.

Turn Your Standard Hotel Stay into a Five-Star Experience

Ready to try out these tips on your next trip? No matter your destination or the purpose of your stay, these tricks can transform your hotel experience into something even more enjoyable and hassle-free.

But the best tip for stress-free travel is to set off with great travel insurance. Don’t leave anything to chance—get a quick quote now with soNomad.