There’s nothing quite like the thrill of checking into a hotel. As a travel writer, I visit over a dozen properties a year and still feel that initial excitement when the door turns and I enter my new home away from home. There are some so incredible that I never wanted to leave, like Ravello’s cliffside Palazzo Avino and St Lucia’s iconic Jade Mountain Hotel. As fabulous as the decor and amenities may be, it’s inevitable that a few must-have items are missing to truly feel at home.
That’s why I’ve created an ongoing list after every stay, noting the products to bring for my next hotel check-in. The list has grown to include travel essentials like a portable clothes cleaner (perfect for a quick brush-up before a business meeting on the road), as well as handy storage solutions to optimize the room’s real estate. Trust me, with the right packing cubes, you can fit everything you need to transform a hotel room into a home base in your suitcase. Keep scrolling to explore the missing room accessories and items to consider packing for your next hotel visit, from travel-size humidifiers to non-slip socks.
Joyaria Bamboo Viscose Robe
One of the first things I do once I settle into my hotel room is check the closet for a robe. Sadly, that comfortable amenity is no longer available in a lot of places, so I always make sure to bring my own. My travel go-to for years has been the buttery soft Pima Short Robe from Lake; the cooling cotton material is just the icing on the cake of an already comfortable hotel bed.
If you’re looking to spend a little less, Joyaria’s Bamboo Viscose Robe is a travel-friendly, lightweight material at Amazon that’s easy to fold into any packing cube or throw in a bag. Quarter-length sleeves conveniently ensure that I can put on my makeup and do my hair without any fabric getting in the way. I’m also a huge fan of the sewed-on belt and dual-side pockets to store items like my phone and lip gloss.
Ostrichpillow Eye Mask
When hotel blinds simply can’t compete with the sun, I rely on this eye mask from Ostrichpillow to ensure good rest. Six breathable layers of soft material deliver the ultimate blackout experience with a design that isn’t too tight on my eyes. I always bring this mask with me on flights, coupled with the brand’s Go Neck Travel Pillow and my favorite travel blanket: Coyuchi’s Cirrus Supersoft Organic Cotton Throw. Take these three items on the road with you, and you’ll be dozing off in no time.
Iniu Portable Charger
I recently stayed at a hotel where the wall outlet was so far from the bed that I vowed to never leave home without a portable charger again. This option from Iniu offers two USB ports and a high-speed charging capability that can restore your battery up to 78 percent in just an hour, according to the brand. The ultra-thin design is also a welcomed change to the clunky, heavier chargers that I used to tote around.
AboveTek Portable Laptop Lap Desk
When deadlines call, I rely on a portable laptop desk (an important just-in-case accessory in the event my hotel room doesn’t have a sufficient workspace). My go-to for years has been the Nesl Adjustable Laptop Tray, and I’m a huge fan of its cupholder compartment to store my morning coffee. A great option on Amazon is the AboveTek Portable Laptop Desk, which comes equipped with a retractable mouse pad in both directions and an anti-slip surface. At only 15 inches in size, it’s easy to store in your favorite travel backpack or carry-on.
Sunswere Extra-long iPhone Charger Cable
For a lightning-fast charge and chord length that won’t make you have to travel across the room, pack this Sunswere Extra Long iPhone Charger. The durable 15-foot cords allow me to lie in bed for the inevitable late-night scroll or carry my phone across my hotel room. As longer chargers can often get tangled, I pack my favorite Gadget Pouch from Muji. The organizer includes separate zipper compartments and a Velcro strap to keep everything in place.
Bagsmart Hanging Compression Packing Cubes
I’m a big fan of Bagsmart’s diverse range of travel bag solutions, but these hanging compression packing cubes top the list, particularly when hotel room closets don’t offer much space. Just hang the tri-fold 14-pocket hanging organizer on the inside of the closet to reveal all of your clothes neatly rolled into pockets for easy access. Six compression packing cubes for your suitcase are also included.
Funsound Sleep Earplugs
The struggles of sleeping in hotel rooms next to the sound of construction work, heavy traffic noise, and people’s voices have made packing good earplugs a non-negotiable for me. This pick from Funsound is made of soft-touch silicone and delivers on blocking out any kind of unwanted noise. They offer a comfortable fit that doesn’t stick to the ear and can be safely cleaned for reuse.
Bombas Women’s Grippers Non-slip Ankle Socks
Slippers or grip socks are another must-have item during my travels, particularly in rooms that have cold or slippery floors. I always pack Bombas Grippers, a super-soft sock that provides traction and warmth with every step. For a slipper option, keep your feet warm (and germ-free) with Snoozies Non-slip Slippers. A lightweight shearling interior ensures a warm and soft fit, while rubber grippers stop any slips or slides across hotel floors. These foldable slippers can easily be folded into the cute little pouch they come with.
Crane Travel Humidifier
As a year-round allergy sufferer, having a humidifier by my side is a must. After hours of scrolling, I finally settled on TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidistat because it easily fits into my carry-on bag. Next up, I’ve got my eye on the Crane Small Ultrasonic Air Humidifier because of its easy-to-carry design and ability to run for up to eight hours. There’s no filter required for it to run, and a movable 360-degree nozzle makes it easy to aim it exactly where you need the cool mist to flow.
Pura 4 Smart Fragrance Diffuser
Not all hotel rooms are created equal, and that includes the smells that come along with them. I rely on the plug-in Pura 4 Smart Fragrance Diffuser to fill the room with a pleasant scent that doesn’t overpower. The Pura smartphone app allows you to adjust the intensity and time you’d like the diffuser to run. Some of my favorite scents from the brand’s collection include white amber mandarin and teak leather.
Sonos Roam 2 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
If you’re lucky enough to have a Bluetooth stereo system in a hotel room, oftentimes, you can’t take it with you in other areas. I’m a huge fan of relaxing on a balcony or in the bathtub to my favorite playlist, and the Sonos Roam 2 is my ideal lightweight companion to set the mood. The clarity and bass on this ultra-compact speaker are fantastic, and I love the Sonos smartphone app’s voice control feature for hands-free control.
Lake & Skye Mini Body Oil
It’s rare that a hotel lotion delivers the kind of moisture my skin needs, especially in the winter. The one-size-fits-all provided option always smells amazing but leaves a lot to be desired beyond in the hydration department. That’s why I never leave home without this Lake & Skye body oil, which is full of hydrating ingredients like vitamin E and almond oil to soothe my dry skin. Amazon also carries my favorite Eos Vanilla Cashmere Hand Lotion, packed with seven nourishing oils including shea butter.
Yeti Rambler 16-ounce Stackable Tumbler
One of the biggest challenges of being a coffee drinker while traveling is how quickly the beverage gets cold. The Stackable Tumbler from Yeti solves that problem with a vacuum-insulated interior that ensures your morning caffeine boost stays just as hot as the first sip an hour later. Perfect for the on-the-go lifestyle, it’s cupholder compatible and splash resistant, thanks to its magnetic slider top. Plus, it also comes in handy when there aren’t drinking glasses in your hotel room.
Kitsch Heatless Stain Curlers
When I want to curl my hair on the go and save room in my luggage, I pack these Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Rods. The flexible design keeps my hair in place while the satin materials ensure my hair is protected from breakage. I’m a big fan of this woman-owned brand’s products, including its silk scrunchies and coconut oil shampoo.
Weatherman Collapsible Umbrella
It’s never fun to lug around a huge hotel umbrella while traveling. That’s why, if the weather forecast predicts showers, I always pack Weatherman’s Collapsible Travel Umbrella, built to withstand up to 55-mile-per-hour winds. Weatherman umbrellas are well-loved for their industrial-strength fiberglass frame and water-repellent material. I recently visited Chicago for the opening of Fairmont’s Toro restaurant, and this umbrella definitely stood up to the notorious winds that the city is known for.
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