Life is full of shortcuts. It’s all about knowing when and where to take them.
Sometimes, all you need is a little imagination to pull off what some would consider unthinkable.
Remember, it’s not the tool that defines the artist. It’s what the artist does with those tools.
As a traveler, the tools are always subject to change. And they’re mostly out of your hands.
An active imagination and a touch of simple engineering wizardry can take you far, especially in a hotel. Take advantage of the tools at your disposal, whatever those may be!
Get the scoop and check out these 45 ingenious hotel hacks. You’ll never travel the same way again!
1. Mobile beer box
There’s no need to lug around or buy a cooler while traveling. You have a perfect vessel right there in the bathroom! Seriously, hotel trashcans are often voluminous enough to keep a handful of beers cold for hours.
2. The key to life
This is brilliant. Now, it’s practically impossible to forget either your phone or keys before heading out the door. Plus, it keeps them in a nice, tidy spot together for optimal efficiency.
3. Butter defroster
Take advantage of the energy available to you. The escaping heat from the hotel toaster can be put to good use. This traveler decided to heat up some butter while toasting bread. Smart.
4. Toothbrush tower
The toothbrush tower gives your best dental assistant some fresh air. But here’s an even better idea – why not just lay the toothbrush end over the sink? Any excess water caught in the bristles will simply fall into the sink, preventing the buildup of toothpaste gunk imposed by gravity.
5. Ramen coffee
Hot or boiled water can be hard to come by. It’s also invaluable in food preparation. Those noodles aren’t going to make themselves… But the hotel room’s coffee machine just might!
6. Germ container
Germs are icky. COVID has raised public awareness of general sanitation. This plastic acts as a shield, locking germs in. Disinfecting the controller with wipes or spray might be the better call, though.
7. Minifridge fraud
Apparently, some minifridges can be gamed. Taking and replacing an item with something cheaper might be the way out of a fat minifridge charge. Some machines can easily sense when anything’s been removed so proceed with caution.
8. Cup loudspeaker
Down for some tunes? If you don’t have a mobile speaker, you can make one! Throw your phone in a cup and hear what happens!
9. Noise and light stuffer
This came straight from the social media page of a hotel and resort. If you’re scared of noise and light at night, have no fear, the towel is here. Don’t forget to bring a towel!
10. Hotel hanger help
Some curtains simply aren’t agreeable. Even the thinnest shred of sunlight can be too much. If your hotel hangers have clips, you know what to do.
11. DIY humidifier
Do you have a dry room? Well, there’s a hotel hack for that, too. Just add some hot water to a towel and drape it over the fan. Easy peasy.
12. The sink
Never sleep on the sink. It’s the perfect shape for a lot of things. Such as washing your hands… or keeping beers cold.
13. Iron board dinner table
Most hotel rooms don’t have dinner tables. Some don’t have tables at all. Any flat surface will do. This ironing board is the perfect height!
14. Call or email ahead of time
An email can work wonders. Open, honest conversation can lead to success across the board. With the right wordplay, you can even upgrade your room at some locales!
15. Handwash in the tub
The bathtub has a ton of utility. Not only can it clean you, but it can clean all your clothes! You can save energy and water cleaning barely dirty articles of clothing in a tub.
16. Shower cap shoe container
Every object in a hotel room has some utility. This is genius. Other than the gaping hole in the middle, this shower cap acts as a protective vessel to carry or store your most essential kicks.
17. Bottle opener
Door mechanisms can offer the perfect bottle opener. This guy has the right idea. Some hotel rooms come equipped with free bottle openers!
18. Netflix and chill in the hotel
Some rooms come with complimentary streaming services. The next time you want to watch your favorite show, check the hotel’s television first. The Empire Strikes Back is definitely the best Star Wars film!
19. Shower cap container
The shower cap is much more than meets the eye! If you don’t have any Tupperware around, just cover your leftovers in a shower cap! Their elastic qualities work to perfection in a pinch.
20. Credit card hacks
If you travel often, get a travel-friendly credit card. There are many options that may be perfect for your spending, from the Wells Fargo Propel card to the Chase Sapphire Reserve. These cards offer extra cashback on things like AirBnbs, hotels, and food delivery services.
21. Sock dryer
A blow dryer can basically heat anything. Do you enjoy the toastiness of a warm sock? It’s an incredible sensation, especially for those with otherwise cold feet.
22. Plugging the drain
Some hotels skimp on their hotel drains. When that happens, have no fear. Just grab some plastic and some coins…
23. The magic of conditioner
Conditioner has a lot of utility outside of your hair! Use it to remove makeup and other creams. And if you need more conditioner at home you can take it with you when you leave.
24. Definitely do not disturb
Make your materials work for you. If you don’t want hotel services, just use that “do not disturb” door hanger they gave you! It’ll ward off practically everyone, leaving you with nothing but peace and quiet.
25. Drip drop deterrent
Some bottles are uncontrollable. They’ll spill and leak all over the place once they’ve been used. A little plastic wrap can prevent a slimey situation.
26. AC air freshener
A smelly hotel room’s not fun. Although this method may be crude, it might aid the stench. The moving air will send the smell across the room!
27. Makeshift nail file
Hotels often have matches on hand. Nail files are harder to come by. Match boxes are more useful than we give them credit for. They have hidden talents.
28. Sheet night stand
Not every room has a night stand. Extreme circumstances call for extreme measures. With a little finesse, you can store your valuables safe and sound within an arms reach.
29. Eggs over iron
Tin foil’s unique properties are magical. A hotel iron with some foil atop can make your breakfast! The more novel the better, some say.
30. Steal it all
Feel free to take your hotel room’s toiletries. They’re the perfect size for travel! Is it considered stealing if there are no consequences? Make off like a legal bandit!
31. Iron board counter
Is your hotel room lacking on available flat surface space? Does it have an ironing board? Well, you know what to do.
32. Social media promotions
Many hotels offer social media promotions. Take advantage of everything the hotel has to offer. Their web presence may surprise you.
33. Sugar-infused facial treament
Hotels rooms often have free sugar. Mix some sugar with lotion to create a potent exfoliant and facial scrub. You’ll end up with the soft skin of a baby!
34. Fashionably late
Arriving fashionably late has its perks. At a party, you can always get there after enough fun people have already arrived. You can skip the rising action and arrive during the climax! At a hotel, you can skip the line. Sometimes, later is better!
35. Plump pillows
What should you do when your pillows are unsatisfactory? Talk to the hotel staff. You don’t have to be stuck with clunky or thin pillows. A healthy in-between may be out there!
36. Ice bucket
Your room’s ice bucket is more than meets the eye. It’s a darn good container, for one. If it comes with a spacious bag, that’s just the cherry on top. Feel free to store or transport wet clothes to and from the swimming pool.
37. Microwave replacement
If your hotel’s missing out on common heating appliances, take to your iron. Please be careful, though. Don’t put your iron on combustible surfaces… There’s a better place for this than a couch! That’s a burrito in there.
38. Alternative charger
Don’t have your phone charger? Do you still have the cable? Well, then you’re in luck. Most modern TVs offer a free USB port, perfect for emergency charging.
39. Free water
You can get water in most places. For free. But you can easily fill up at your hotel gym. If you’re already there, snag some water before you head out!
40. The gift of dirty sheets
This is more of a hack you can gift to others. A simple note can verify the quality of a hotel room’s sheets. I wonder if this could be leveraged into getting some new sheets and a hefty discount.
41. The key card
Some places require a card to keep the electricity going. Sometimes they don’t even need a real “card,” but anything that can fit into the slot. Take this knowledge as you will without being wasteful!
42. Babyproof
Childproofing items can be found in some hotels. Just ask around. If not, maybe consider keeping tape on hand. It can cover outlets and fasten hazardous loose cords!
43. Hotel hotpot
Hotels with restaurants have access to a wide range of helpful tools. Need a crockpot? Just ask the hotel staff. You never know what they’ll let you borrow.
44. Stealing from the room service tray
The room service trays often have savory valuables. Some hotel goers have made a habit out of taking from the tray when nobody else is around. If given a golden opportunity, what would you do?
45. Chargers, chargers everywhere!
Hotels have everything. If you lost or forgot your charger, just contact the front desk. People leave their stuff behind all the time. They’re bound to have one.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
