Inspired by my good friend Dia’s recent post about the 5 travel luxuries she won’t give up, I got myself thinking – I sure do have a laundry list of things I wouldn’t sacrifice while traveling now too (for instance, I vowed to “treat” myself to a flat-bed in business or first class on flights over 8 hours, using miles of course…, and I also promised myself I would never do a mileage run again).
I’m really not that much of a diva when it comes to hotel amenities though. For the most part, I want the basics covered (wifi, a clean room, etc.), with simple amenities to make a comfortable stay. In terms of hotels, I realized that it really pisses me off when my room doesn’t come with these 5 things:
A quality hair dryer: I’ll be the first to admit that I probably am the only adult female on the planet that still doesn’t know how to do a proper blow out on my hair. Drying my hair usually consists of me blasting the hair dryer all over my hair from every direction until it’s no longer dripping wet, and I don’t own fancy brushes. I guess that’s the reason why I was born with pin-straight hair because I could just “polish” my freshly dried hair by running a flat iron over it for 30 seconds.
Even with my lack of hair-styling talent, I do get pissed off when I check into a hotel and theres one of those cheap-0 hair dryers fixated on the wall. It’s almost always a gamble if they’ll actually work or not. And if they do, I can almost guarantee I’ll be hitting the reset button at least a dozen times. Oh, and forget about sharing a bathroom with someone when it’s time to get ready…
Outlet next to the bed: It’s 2015, and this is a given. We live in a world where we sleep with our phones within arms’ reach (sadly). I can’t begin to tell you how many hotels (even luxury) I’ve been to that do not have outlets by the bed (!!!). How dare I have to actually get out of bed in the morning to hit snooze 5 times?
Complimentary Bottled Water: It’s always nice having water in the room, especially if the hotel is not close to a convenience store. In fact, I’d rather have water over wine.
Products I can take home: Although I understand the motives of hotels that chose to have soap/shampoo dispensers in the shower, I get a “YMCA”/community shower vibe from that (cough::Aloft::cough). I prefer the room being stocked with bath and shower products I can actually take home with me (bonus if it’s a brand I love).
Full Length Mirror: Um… how else am I supposed to take selfies am I supposed to see if the shoes match the bag? :-P
What are some things that annoy you when they’re no where to be found in your hotel room?
My wife finally has been convinced to not pack a hair dryer because most (all?) hotels have one now. Sure enough, the first time she didn’t bring one, the hotel we were at didn’t have one…
Ah, Murphy’s law!
ouch!
I’ve come to expect a refrigerator. I always ask and if it’s not standard, I will tell them I have medication that requires chilling. That almost always results in a fee-free frig.
Yes! This is important too… especially when traveling with kiddos and bottles. Can’t believe I didn’t add this to the list.
I need a mirror a) with good lighting; and b) that I can get close to so I can see to apply mascara. Since I’m short, leaning over the bathroom counter doesn’t work for me.
I would love for hotels to put two luggage racks in every room, or a bench plus a luggage rack — a place for the second guest to put their suitcase.
And I totally agree with you on outlets on the nightstand.
LOL @ short comment – I totally feel you! Now that you mentioned it, I loveee when they have those lighted vanity mirrors in the bathroom for makeup.
When I worked as a nurse at the VA, I used to always take the toiletries to give to the veterans at work. Now, I don’t work there, I never thought about taking them, lol. Guess I could get a good stash going and donate to a local homeless shelter??
A local group collects the little toiletries to add to care packages they send to soldiers serving overseas.
Blackout curtains and a room that otherwise can be made perfectly dark for a healthy sleeping environment.
Totally agree with the comment about not having outlets next to the bed. I like to sit on the bed with my laptop, and hate it when there is no outlet and my laptop battery dies!
That’s the worst! Especially when you have intentions of working from your room. A dead laptop is not exactly the best motivation.
Flat screen TV’s
Outlets next to bed or even better outlets on all the lamps
Refrigerators are a big plus
Plastic dirty laundry bag
A remote without dead batteries
Oh yes, those plastic laundry bags are a necessity. I always use them for my clothes and check for them when I check in.
I have sleep apnea, so outlets near the nightstand are a must for my CPAP machine. I’ve had pretty good luck in my recent travels, so hopefully hotels are figuring it out.
Wow, yes I know many people who travel with that machine and I could imagine how annoying it is to discover that there’s no where to plug it in….
get over yourself, is this the most important contribution you can make, honestly! Give yourself an upper-cut, you’re a goose.
Thanks! Was waiting for a comment like this. Thanks for stopping by!
How about when the when the outlets don’t work unless the lamp is on!
Ditto on the outlets for the CPAP. I don’t use one, but many of my friends do. I was traveling with one last week and at a WALDORF ASTORIA we had to request an extension cord. Geez.
Lack of counter space in the bathroom is a big IRK for me. Can I please have enough space to put my toiletry bag (that doesn’t hang) and my curling iron ???
Coffee machine!! One of my “preferred” hotels in DC (a 4 star SPG brand!) doesn’t provide coffee in the room. Makes waking up on a cold winter morning to schlep down to the lobby very very difficult to those of us who would prefer just to inject a double espresso right into the vein.. :)
Andrew
The last room we stayed in had a switch on the coffee maker for 1 or 2 cups. The maid must have switched it to one cup the second day but my DH brewed 2. It spilled of course. What a terrible design.