5 Simple Ideas it Improve Your Hotel Stay

I survived my very first long distance trip alone! This wasn’t the furthest I’ve ever traveled, or the longest time I’ve spent away, but it is the only time I’ve done it all on my own.  This was a six hour drive one way to Minneapolis, I stayed in a hotel close to the Mall of America and I attended a fantastic training class for my business.  It was a great mini vacation, but there are a few things I could have brought with me to make my stay a little bit better.

1. Cotton Balls. Not only are they great for eye make up removal, blending make up and fixing make up mistakes, but they are also a wonderful makeshift ear plug for when the walls are thin and a neighboring stranger is sawing logs.  Lucky for me this time around it was barely audible, but I can see this tip benefiting me for future family trips with my husband as well
2. Instant Coffee.  Or any other instant hot drink you like. I’m not a fan of the free coffee packages left as a courtesy in the room, but that little coffee pot works wonders at heating up water for the drinks I do like!  If you bring food with you, this is also a great way to heat up water for instant soup if you don’t have a microwave in your room. If you need a little more to drink then that little cup they offer, don’t forget to bring a travel mug with you as well.
3. Sleep Mask.  I really  wish I hadn’t forgotten this little tid bit of advice as I tried to sleep in a fully lit room thanks to the flood light that was right outside my window and drapes that were not made to close completely. Sleep masks can also help block out the extra light if you are prone to travel migraines.
4. Your Own Pillow.  I was so excited to bury myself in a sea of pillows, until I remembered how overly fluffy and uncomfortable they can be.  Sure they look great, but when it comes down to it, my neck wasn’t meant to sleep at such an extreme angle, so I ended up sleeping with no pillow. Sometimes I luck out and find a room with excellent pillows, but rather than gamble on getting a crick in my neck, bringing my own pillow is the way to go. 
5. Snacks.  This last trip I brought both a small cooler with some fruits and veggies and a shoulder bag with some extra water bottles, crackers and cereal bars.  I always end up getting the munchies at night or in the morning, and the vending machines and attached restaurants to the hotels can be pricy. This is a great way to save a bit of money on unnecessary extras and the cooler can easily be restocked with a little ice to keep cold treats and leftovers cool. Another bit of good advice on this one is to have a few sets of plastic utensils with you. I forgot and ended up eating a salad with my fingers. Oh well, you do what you gotta do!

No matter where you are going, such as a blogger conference, such as SoFab Con, a business training like I did, or just a family vacation.  Remember to take a moment to think about some of the fine details before you leave.  It can help you save a bit of money and make your stay much more enjoyable!