Lodging

PACK A NIGHTLIGHT

A nightlight will help you make your way from bed to bathroom safely in the dark. A person we know once mistook his hotel room door for the bathroom door in the middle of the night, and suddenly found himself locked out in the corridor, wearing nothing at all….not a good surprise!

HOTEL ROOM REVIEW

Always ask to see the room you’re being given before you sign and pay. Even a nice-looking hotel can have some rooms that are less than acceptable, and it’s much easier to get a substitute before the money has changed hands.

HOTEL ESCAPE PLAN

Before you enter your hotel room, locate the nearest fire exit, so you can find it even if the lights go out. Keep the room key close at hand. Always carry a small flashlight in your luggage. And never use the elevator in case of fire….take the stairs.

LIGHTS AND THE HOTEL KEY CARD

For energy conservation, many hotels now require that you place your hotel keycard into a slot in the room, in order for the lights and electricity within the room to work. The thinking is that if you leave the room, you remove the keycard and the lights, etc. go off, saving energy. But if you have a laptop or appliance charging, you may want the current to stay on while you’re gone. The answer?....try using your phonecard or other plastic card instead of the room keycard. Chances are it will work just as well.

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST BUTTER

Continental breakfasts are great, especially for families or group travel. We’ve all noticed that the little butter packets are usually rock-hard and unspreadable in their small ice-filled bowls, but here’s a solution. Put the little butter packet on top of the toaster while your bread or muffin is toasting. Just enough heat will rise to soften the butter for perfect spreading.

LOOK UNDER THE BED

You always take a last look around the hotel room before you leave, just in case there’s a robe left hanging on the back of the bathroom door, toiletries in the shower, etc. But it’s also a good idea to take a quick look under the bed. There could be a sock, or toy, or shoe that’s somehow rolled under.