13 Tips & Tricks To Make A Hotel Room Feel More Like Home

Sometimes, a stay in a hotel room can be made more comfortable when it doesn’t feel so, well, hotel-y. Here are some tips and tricks to add personal touches that can make a hotel room feel more like home:

1. Bring Your Own Pillow or Pillowcase

• Hotel pillows can be hit or miss in terms of comfort. Bringing your own pillow or just a familiar pillowcase can make the bed feel cozier and give you a better night’s sleep.

2. Scented Candles or Essential Oil Diffuser

• Scents are powerful triggers for comfort. Pack a small scented candle (check if the hotel allows it) or an essential oil diffuser with your favorite calming scent like lavender, vanilla, or eucalyptus to create a relaxing atmosphere.

3. Throw Blanket or Travel Quilt

• Adding a cozy throw blanket or quilt at the end of the bed can bring warmth and personality to the room. It’s also great for curling up in while reading or watching TV.

4. Photos from Home

• Pack a couple of small framed photos or use a photo holder that you can easily pack. Placing photos of loved ones on the nightstand can make the space feel more personal and comforting.

5. Your Favorite Mug

• Hotel mugs and cups often lack personality. Bringing your favorite mug from home for your morning coffee or tea adds a small but comforting touch.

6. Bluetooth Speaker for Music

• A portable Bluetooth speaker can transform the space with your favorite music or podcasts. Play familiar tunes to instantly make the room feel more like your own.

7. Upgrade the Lighting

• Hotel lighting is often harsh or uninviting. Consider packing a small portable lamp or a string of fairy lights to create softer, ambient lighting for a cozier feel.

8. Add Fresh Flowers

• Picking up a small bouquet of flowers from a local market adds a touch of life and vibrancy to the room. Flowers can make the space feel less sterile and more homely.

9. Pack a Cozy Robe or Slippers

• While some hotels provide robes, they aren’t always the softest or coziest. Bringing your own plush robe and slippers makes relaxing in the room feel more luxurious and homey.

10. Use a Travel-Sized Humidifier

• Hotel rooms can often feel dry, especially in the winter or in air-conditioned spaces. A small, travel-sized humidifier can improve the air quality and make breathing and sleeping more comfortable.

11. Personalized Toiletries

• Bring your favorite shampoo, conditioner, body wash, or skincare products in travel-size containers instead of using the hotel-provided ones. The familiar scents and textures will make your routine feel more at home.

12. Organize with Pouches or Trays

• Hotels can feel cluttered quickly. Use small pouches or travel trays to organize your items—jewelry, keys, or small tech items—so your space feels more intentional and neat, similar to how you’d keep things at home.

13. Unpack and Settle In

• Take the time to unpack, hang your clothes, and put away your toiletries. Creating a sense of order in the room makes it feel less transient and more like a lived-in space.

With a few thoughtful touches, you can make your hotel room feel like a home away from home!