I just got home from one of those trips that feels equal parts ordinary and
enormous.
My daughter and I drove halfway across the country in her car, once again, to get her back to college after a long winter break. We didn’t try to rush it. We stayed in three different hotels along the way to break up the drive, rest, and have a few extra days together before my flight back home.
The drive wasn’t bad at all, despite a bit of wintry weather. With a good plan, a comfortable pace, and plenty of conversation, it was a really nice stretch of time together.
And now it’s the home stretch. Amanda graduates in May. If you’re a parent, you know what that sentence does to your heart. One minute you’re reminding them to pack their charger, and the next minute you’re thinking about graduation and realizing how quickly these seasons change. More on that later this year.
Today, I want to share 10 surprisingly helpful hotel tips that made our trip feel very organized.
1) Make an Instant Toothbrush Holder
Most hotels give you paper cups for coffee. Take one of those paper cups and turn it upside down on the counter. Use a key, pen, or the toothbrush handle to gently poke holes through the bottom (which is now the top) for each person on the trip. Slide your toothbrushes into the holes so they stand upright.
Now those toothbrushes aren’t leaning on anything, the bristles stay off the counter, and it feels oddly satisfying, like you just created a tiny, practical “hotel invention.”
2) Create “Instant Drawers” Without Unpacking
Since we were staying in 3 hotels during our trip, we didn’t want to unpack and then repack every day, so we created quick-access zones:
Put one suitcase on the luggage rack and another on a table or desk. Keep the suitcases open and treat them like "drawers." Everything stays visible, contained, and no
having to bend down to the floor to get what you need.
3) Use a Hanging Toiletry BagGet a toiletry bag with clear pouches so you can see what's inside. Be sure it has a built-in hook. Pack it and when you get to the hotel, hang it on the back-of-door hook or the towel rod. Keep everything in the toiletry bag the whole trip. No spreading out stuff across the sink. Your bathroom counter stays clear, you can find what you need instantly, and you won’t forget items because everything stays in its “home” the entire time.
4) Designate a Drop
Zone
Hotel rooms get messy fast because there’s no clear “drop zone.” Choose one spot, usually the nightstand, and make it the landing pad for items like:
Room key
Glasses
Lip balm
Phone
Purse/Wallet
That way you’re not doing the morning scavenger hunt: Where did I put the key card?
5) Bring Snacks and Water Bottles From Home
Hotel snack prices are…bold. Same
with the tiny water bottles that cost way more than they should.
We packed plenty of munchies and water bottles in the car, and it worked for both the drive and the hotel. It was so nice to come in at night and already have what we wanted on hand.
6) Create a Charging Station With One OutletHotel outlets are sometimes in weird places. Make one official charging spot. Plug in the charger/power block. Put all devices there overnight. Keep cords corralled with a hair tie or rubber band. You won’t leave chargers behind if there’s only one charging “home.”
7) Use the Ice Bucket Liner as a Mini Trash Bag
That plastic liner inside the ice bucket? It’s basically a bonus trash bag. Put it in your car for snack wrappers during the drive, or use it in the room for a separate “wet” (bathing suits) or “messy” trash (takeout containers, coffee cups, etc.)
8) The “Two-Person Checkout Sweep”
This is the tip that saves the day, because even organized people can forget something in a hotel room. Before you leave, make yourself a quick mental note of the must-check spots, and then do a fast sweep:
In the shower (shampoo, conditioner, razor...these are the most commonly forgotten!)
Behind the bathroom door (towels, toiletry bags hanging on hooks)
Inside the closet and any drawers (jackets, shoes,
pajamas)
Outlets (chargers, blocks, cords...especially behind beds and desks)
On the desk and every surface (nightstands, window ledge, dresser top, bathroom counter if you used it)
Again, the less you have scattered about, the less of a chance you'll leave something behind. And always have a second person double-check when possible. One person sees what another person misses.
9) Pack a Mesh Laundry Bag and Wash at the HotelThis is one of those tips that feels like a gift to your future self. Toss a mesh laundry bag in your suitcase before you leave. During your stay, put worn clothes straight into the mesh bag (no messy piles). If the hotel has guest laundry, do one load mid-trip and/or the night before you leave. If laundry is not available at your hotel, stop at a laundromat (or a nearby relative's/friend's home) and have a cup of coffee while handling that
load. The payoff: you’re packing clean clothes to bring home, which means less laundry waiting for you after travel. This is especially nice after a long drive or a flight day.
10) The “Repack as You Go” Two-Minute Reset
Before you go to sleep each night, do a tiny reset. Put everything back into its category (charging spot, hanging toiletry bag, suitcase, landing pad). Toss trash. Set out tomorrow’s clothes. It takes two minutes and makes the morning feel so much easier...especially if you’re getting on the road
early.
On another note...
High-end beauty can be expensive, so I created this list of
affordable beauty products that give you the same luxurious results for a lot less!
