I have a mini packing cube that I use on the bedside table. I add a packet of tissues and my nighttime lotion, eyedrops, and my morning medication. The cube keeps it all in one place, along with a Post-it pad, earplugs, and a flashlight, just in case. If I have to remove jewelry or hair clips, they go in the bag so i dont end up leaving them behind, accidentally.
Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in case of fire. Confirm patio doors and windows lock securely, and be certain to secure your door from inside- rooms are sometimes double booked and keys issued for an already occupied room.
Regarding white noise - iPhones have a built in white noise feature called Background Sounds, which I use all the time. To access: Open Settings // Select Accessibility // Select Audio/Visual // Select // Background Sounds // Turn on Background Sounds // Select a sound, such as rain, ocean, or balanced noise.
@@angelageorge2650 that’s cool! Love the fire sound! I have an electric fireplace and it doesn’t make a sound. Now I can turn this sound on and my fire will feel more real!
I usually bring a few binder clips when traveling. They can close the curtains as the pant hangers do and they can also close a bog of chips, you can hang laundry from them... Very useful and small. Thank you for the video!
Thanks for the tips! Chip clips/hair claw can also be used for the curtains. Also flip flops to be worn around the room so you’re not on the questionable carpet. I usually just unplug the alarm clock, then there is no risk of alarm.
In addition to familiarizing yourself with the emergency exits, make sure you know exactly where things are that you would need in case of an emergency and no lights. I was with my husband and 2 year old son in a hotel when the fire alarm went off at 2:00 AM. This was before phone flashlights. We had driven to the hotel and our car was parked out front. I had my husband head down the stairs with my son while I scrambled to get the car keys, etc. It was winter and thank goodness we were able to wait it out in the car before we were allowed back in the hotel (an hour or so later). After that experience on future trips I also made sure there were no shoes, luggage, etc. in the way to prevent us from making a speedy exit. Purse, phone, and anything else I might want to grab are always in the same place in the hotel room as well.
I bring a pair of gloves Clorox wipes in a large ziplock bag. I do a wipe down of the room and place the remote control in the bag. I was doing this pre-covid. I also bring a cheap flip flops to wear in the room. And a night light because if I wake up in the middle night I'm not trying to blindly find the bathroom.😁😁😁
Great list, and a few I had never heard before! Thanks, Jen and Scott! I used to work in study abroad and we always advised the students (and I continue to do the same when traveling): always request a room between floors 2-6. You don’t want to be on the ground level because of easy entry, and you also don’t want to be too high in case of fire. That way, it’s easier to exit the building, and if not possible, fire ladders can reach the 6th floor.
Great tips. One thing I do is for the shoes I’m going to wear the next day. At night I will place one of the shoes next to something I don’t want to forget. For exs, if you’re charging devises overnight, I place it by that. Or if I’m all packed up but have my purse or bag in the corner, I put it by that so I remember to take not just suitcase but also bag. Or in the morning if I’m using last min toiletries not packed away, I put it in bathroom, etc, etc…I find this helps me to remember to do last minute checks & not leave stuff behind. Bc u can’t leave with only one shoe on. 😁
@@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge thanks. my sister kept forgetting little things so i inadvertently had done this one night & we realized this method worked best for us.
Great set of tips. This one kind of goes along w/ checking the bed/linens for bed bugs, but when I first come in the room, I put the luggage in the tub until the checks have been done. It may seem like overkill, but it's not that much more time. I used to be the person that plopped them on the bed (given they usually only give one luggage rack) but now do the tub trick routinely. It bears repeating that bed bugs can be found in some very nice motels, not just bargain-basement locales.
Brilliant…..advice. I’m the coldest person on the planet….our thermostat is always up high and I ask for a blanket too…even on a Mediterranean cruise I have a blanket. It’s a comfort and weight thing. I always a blanket at home. I’m a stickler for things in the right place EVERY time…..👍🇬🇧
LOL, You should room with my daughter. Shes always cold. I don't like freezing but I can't tolerate being the least bit too warm, so we can hardly be in the same room without one person suffering tremendously. 😂
Thanks to you and Scott for the hacks. My only other thing I do when I travel is that I place the tip for housekeeping under my pillow. That way I’m sure the person who is actually doing the work gets the tip.
Excellent idea. I once stayed a month at a hotel on business and would leave the tip on the bathroom counter every morning. One morning I went to the hotel restaurant for breakfast and realized I had forgotten something in my room. I returned to my room and saw a different housekeeper coming out of my room (she was not the one doing the cleaning that day) who had gone in and helped herself to the tip. She knew my routine and it would not have been fair to the person who did clean the room. Of course, now that I think about it, she probably would have known to look under the pillow, but it would not have been quite as quick of a swipe as walking in the room and grabbing it off the bathroom counter.
Hi Jen, just subscribed. I found you when searching ‘what to pack for a cruise’ last year. My first and only cruise was 47 nights from Southampton to Sydney to get home as I couldn’t fly. Your packing videos also helped so so much! Now a weekly watcher and enjoy all your varied content so much.
Jen - 1. I LOVE your gray hair!! Grow that out & celebrate its beautiful color!!! 2. Love these tips & have followed you for a while. Thank you for great travel content!
Always bring power extender with universal plug. There has been times when I was in a room with only 1 power socket that was on the other side of the room with nothing to support it. Also comes in handy at airports when the power socket is away from any table and you don’t want to hunch over it live a fireplace.
Wanted to add that always good to check the outlets beside the bed / on the nightstand are working before you unpack! My husband travels with a cpap machine and unfortunately on our last trip we got to a hotel room at midnight, unpacked, went to go to sleep and found out the outlets did not work. We had to re pack everything, go to the lobby, get a new room, check outlets in new room, then unpack and went to sleep.
I always use the "do not disturb" hanger to cover the peephole, I also use a towel to cover the bottom of the door. This helps with unwanted light at night. I also always bring a plug-in nightlight for the bathroom or sink area.
Your new cut is very flattering on you! My husband travels a great deal for his job and his best advice is to use a carryon over checked bags as much as possible. He's had a few times where the airlines have lost his luggage.
Hello, I always carry a small roll of gaffers or some other highly adhesive tape, and some zip ties. There is seldom a trip that I don’t use those… Great topic, Jen!
Not sure what your planning with your hair - but if your trying to transition to grey (which is what I did) - find a good “Clarifying Shampoo and Mosturizing Rinse”. Blurs lines so it looks smoother. I have well water, and takes yellow or brown lines out. Not being critical, just trying to help if need.
Thanks for the tips however I disagree with one and that’s turning the temperature as low as it will go 🥶. The blankets in my opinion are extremely thin. Thanks again for the tips.
Excellent tips. Several of these are good for home as well. Especially 15. a place for everything and everything in its place at 11:55. Makes your daily life much easier.
Shower cap. Stays in my suitcase always, the ones in the hotels are awful. I ask for a room without carpet if available and I never open my suitcase on the floor. I will set my suitcase in the bathroom while I inspect the room. Also I’m a big believer in grounding- especially when traveling overseas. LOVE the hangar on the curtains tip!! Could have used that at Disney last week!!
Great tips!! Working in hospitality for many years I've learned taking a few minutes to check things are really in order saves you time and headache later.
Great advice. I just got back from a solo trip and the hotel room alarm was set to 4:30am the first night (and I did not think to check it.) I texted my husband later that I had felt right at home. 😂
Google translate is awesome. You can also use it to translate menu’s and packaging. Used in multiple countries and it works well! I also use the hangers for curtains and check the bed and behind the bed frame and picture over bed for bed bugs. My kids use to ask , mom did you do your check before they moved from the doorway. Totally agree on the food rule. I also eat a simple breakfast I buy at the grocery.
I have a standing rule that I always unplug any extension cords, chargers etc. and leave them in a visible location after I use them - they are one of the most frequently forgotten items after checkout. Also heard a good tip to make sure you have sleep wear that covers you in case you have to evacuate for some reason. Question - what do you do with laptops when you leave the room? They are usually too large for the room safe and too cumbersome to lug around.
Great tips, thank you. I should be pulling that bedspread off instead of yelling at my husband not to sit on it, haha. We bring a small, motion sensor light so at night you can find the bathroom without turning on lights. It just sits on the floor and works great.
Make sure the shower head is pointing into the shower! I was in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur and the staff had turned the shower heads so they sprayed out of the shower (hitting you in the face) when you turned on the water! It happened to my work colleague too so it must have been a fun thing they did to amuse themselves. Another tip, if you like quiet like I do, ask for a room far from the elevator!!!!! Also if you find that your room is near a laundry, gym or ice maker, or over a bar you may want to ask to be moved.
Hi Jen. I enjoyed the video. I travel a lot as well for work (coffee related) and when I travel with family or friends or even training someone new, often they are excited about making coffee in the room machines. I always caution against this as they are seldom clean. Usually running a brew of just water into a cup cures that thought right up haha.
Love the haircut! Looks really good. I'm also a big fan of putting things away and having a place for things; I've left way too much stuff in hotel rooms over the years. :( Also, definitely check for clean bedding and for bedbugs! I leave my stuff by the door first thing and check everything, just to be safe.
#14 made me laugh. There is one room at a hotel I frequently use in Ottawa that has the hot/cold reversed on both the sink and shower. I made a note in my phone to check anytime I stay so I don’t shock myself with cold water in the shower. 😊
had this experience in Liverpool uk. beautiful hotel went to get in the shower and could only get b oiling hot water no cool could be added s o had to get dressed Again so they could move us. would have been better to know when we arrived in the afternoon an d not late at night when I just wanted to get to bed ha ha
Hi Jen, just subscribed. I found you when searching ‘what to pack for a cruise’ last year. My first and only cruise was 47 nights from Southampton to Sydney to get home as I couldn’t fly. Your packing videos also helped so so much! Now a weekly watcher and enjoy all your varied content so much.
I have a mini packing cube that I use on the bedside table. I add a packet of tissues and my nighttime lotion, eyedrops, and my morning medication. The cube keeps it all in one place, along with a Post-it pad, earplugs, and a flashlight, just in case. If I have to remove jewelry or hair clips, they go in the bag so i dont end up leaving them behind, accidentally.
So smart!
Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in case of fire. Confirm patio doors and windows lock securely, and be certain to secure your door from inside- rooms are sometimes double booked and keys issued for an already occupied room.
Regarding white noise - iPhones have a built in white noise feature called Background Sounds, which I use all the time. To access: Open Settings // Select Accessibility // Select Audio/Visual // Select // Background Sounds // Turn on Background Sounds // Select a sound, such as rain, ocean, or balanced noise.
Thanks very helpful
OMG! Life saver! ❤
thank you!
@@angelageorge2650 that’s cool! Love the fire sound! I have an electric fireplace and it doesn’t make a sound. Now I can turn this sound on and my fire will feel more real!
Great tip - never knew that was there !
I usually bring a few binder clips when traveling. They can close the curtains as the pant hangers do and they can also close a bog of chips, you can hang laundry from them... Very useful and small. Thank you for the video!
@LAVA-el5yt Me too. So many uses.
I have a king size silk pillowcase just for travel that fits hotel pillows. Ensures that I always have a clean pillowcase to sleep on. 😊
Yes, and be sure that the color of your travel pillow case stands out from hotel bedding.
Thanks for the tips! Chip clips/hair claw can also be used for the curtains. Also flip flops to be worn around the room so you’re not on the questionable carpet. I usually just unplug the alarm clock, then there is no risk of alarm.
I don't like my bare feet in a shower/tub so I actually wear my room shoes, whether they are a flip-flop or my crocs, IN the shower.
In addition to familiarizing yourself with the emergency exits, make sure you know exactly where things are that you would need in case of an emergency and no lights. I was with my husband and 2 year old son in a hotel when the fire alarm went off at 2:00 AM. This was before phone flashlights. We had driven to the hotel and our car was parked out front. I had my husband head down the stairs with my son while I scrambled to get the car keys, etc. It was winter and thank goodness we were able to wait it out in the car before we were allowed back in the hotel (an hour or so later). After that experience on future trips I also made sure there were no shoes, luggage, etc. in the way to prevent us from making a speedy exit. Purse, phone, and anything else I might want to grab are always in the same place in the hotel room as well.
@@doreenhayden-cote553 Thank you for your tips. I keep my shoes at my bedside, pointed toward the door, to facilitate emergency exit.
I bring a pair of gloves Clorox wipes in a large ziplock bag. I do a wipe down of the room and place the remote control in the bag. I was doing this pre-covid. I also bring a cheap flip flops to wear in the room. And a night light because if I wake up in the middle night I'm not trying to blindly find the bathroom.😁😁😁
❣❣❣Yeah, I was doing the Lysol and Clorox wipe thing before covid, as well. And so of course, I continue the practice. Great tips, Jen and Scott.❣❣❣
Great list, and a few I had never heard before! Thanks, Jen and Scott! I used to work in study abroad and we always advised the students (and I continue to do the same when traveling): always request a room between floors 2-6. You don’t want to be on the ground level because of easy entry, and you also don’t want to be too high in case of fire. That way, it’s easier to exit the building, and if not possible, fire ladders can reach the 6th floor.
Love the length of your new haircut! Looks great!!
Thank you, Teresa!
Great tips. One thing I do is for the shoes I’m going to wear the next day. At night I will place one of the shoes next to something I don’t want to forget. For exs, if you’re charging devises overnight, I place it by that. Or if I’m all packed up but have my purse or bag in the corner, I put it by that so I remember to take not just suitcase but also bag. Or in the morning if I’m using last min toiletries not packed away, I put it in bathroom, etc, etc…I find this helps me to remember to do last minute checks & not leave stuff behind. Bc u can’t leave with only one shoe on. 😁
So smart!
@@JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge thanks. my sister kept forgetting little things so i inadvertently had done this one night & we realized this method worked best for us.
Great set of tips. This one kind of goes along w/ checking the bed/linens for bed bugs, but when I first come in the room, I put the luggage in the tub until the checks have been done. It may seem like overkill, but it's not that much more time. I used to be the person that plopped them on the bed (given they usually only give one luggage rack) but now do the tub trick routinely. It bears repeating that bed bugs can be found in some very nice motels, not just bargain-basement locales.
Brilliant…..advice.
I’m the coldest person on the planet….our thermostat is always up high and I ask for a blanket too…even on a Mediterranean cruise I have a blanket. It’s a comfort and weight thing. I always a blanket at home.
I’m a stickler for things in the right place EVERY time…..👍🇬🇧
LOL, You should room with my daughter. Shes always cold. I don't like freezing but I can't tolerate being the least bit too warm, so we can hardly be in the same room without one person suffering tremendously. 😂
I completely agree on the comfort and weight of a blanket!
Great suggestions! Love the haircut. Have a great day!
Thanks to you and Scott for the hacks. My only other thing I do when I travel is that I place the tip for housekeeping under my pillow. That way I’m sure the person who is actually doing the work gets the tip.
Excellent idea. I once stayed a month at a hotel on business and would leave the tip on the bathroom counter every morning. One morning I went to the hotel restaurant for breakfast and realized I had forgotten something in my room. I returned to my room and saw a different housekeeper coming out of my room (she was not the one doing the cleaning that day) who had gone in and helped herself to the tip. She knew my routine and it would not have been fair to the person who did clean the room. Of course, now that I think about it, she probably would have known to look under the pillow, but it would not have been quite as quick of a swipe as walking in the room and grabbing it off the bathroom counter.
Oohh I like that idea!
Hi Jen, just subscribed. I found you when searching ‘what to pack for a cruise’ last year. My first and only cruise was 47 nights from Southampton to Sydney to get home as I couldn’t fly. Your packing videos also helped so so much! Now a weekly watcher and enjoy all your varied content so much.
Oh I'm so glad you've enjoyed the content!!! Thank you!
Jen - 1. I LOVE your gray hair!! Grow that out & celebrate its beautiful color!!! 2. Love these tips & have followed you for a while. Thank you for great travel content!
Thank YOU for the kind words and for watching, Carol!
Always bring power extender with universal plug. There has been times when I was in a room with only 1 power socket that was on the other side of the room with nothing to support it. Also comes in handy at airports when the power socket is away from any table and you don’t want to hunch over it live a fireplace.
Wanted to add that always good to check the outlets beside the bed / on the nightstand are working before you unpack! My husband travels with a cpap machine and unfortunately on our last trip we got to a hotel room at midnight, unpacked, went to go to sleep and found out the outlets did not work. We had to re pack everything, go to the lobby, get a new room, check outlets in new room, then unpack and went to sleep.
This is such a great tip!
I always use the "do not disturb" hanger to cover the peephole, I also use a towel to cover the bottom of the door. This helps with unwanted light at night. I also always bring a plug-in nightlight for the bathroom or sink area.
Your new cut is very flattering on you!
My husband travels a great deal for his job and his best advice is to use a carryon over checked bags as much as possible. He's had a few times where the airlines have lost his luggage.
Hello, I always carry a small roll of gaffers or some other highly adhesive tape, and some zip ties. There is seldom a trip that I don’t use those…
Great topic, Jen!
Not sure what your planning with your hair - but if your trying to transition to grey (which is what I did) - find a good “Clarifying Shampoo and Mosturizing Rinse”. Blurs lines so it looks smoother. I have well water, and takes yellow or brown lines out. Not being critical, just trying to help if need.
Great tips thank you. Checking the fire exits and also basic emergency numbers too in case of unexpected illness.
Thanks for the tips however I disagree with one and that’s turning the temperature as low as it will go 🥶. The blankets in my opinion are extremely thin. Thanks again for the tips.
Excellent tips. Several of these are good for home as well. Especially 15. a place for everything and everything in its place at 11:55.
Makes your daily life much easier.
Shower cap. Stays in my suitcase always, the ones in the hotels are awful. I ask for a room without carpet if available and I never open my suitcase on the floor. I will set my suitcase in the bathroom while I inspect the room. Also I’m a big believer in grounding- especially when traveling overseas. LOVE the hangar on the curtains tip!! Could have used that at Disney last week!!
Thanks for the pro tips Scott! (and Jen)!
Great tips!! Working in hospitality for many years I've learned taking a few minutes to check things are really in order saves you time and headache later.
It happens and YES to finding out when it's an easy fix!
Great advice. I just got back from a solo trip and the hotel room alarm was set to 4:30am the first night (and I did not think to check it.) I texted my husband later that I had felt right at home. 😂
Yeah that's not a good surprise. Some things about being at home we can do without!
Just found your channel. Great, common sense reminders and new tips. The tip to check hot water was brilliant. Thank you
So glad it was helpful! I feel like it’s a mistake you only make once 🤣
Love the new cut! Great tips. We always take clothes pins/bag clips for the curtains!
Excellent tips I also check over the entire room right away. 😊
This is so good! Getting ready to go to flight attendant training and found this all very helpful.
Oh congratulations!! That’s wonderful!
Never heard of the hangers on the curtain. That is brilliant!!!
Google translate is awesome. You can also use it to translate menu’s and packaging. Used in multiple countries and it works well! I also use the hangers for curtains and check the bed and behind the bed frame and picture over bed for bed bugs. My kids use to ask , mom did you do your check before they moved from the doorway. Totally agree on the food rule. I also eat a simple breakfast I buy at the grocery.
I have a standing rule that I always unplug any extension cords, chargers etc. and leave them in a visible location after I use them - they are one of the most frequently forgotten items after checkout. Also heard a good tip to make sure you have sleep wear that covers you in case you have to evacuate for some reason. Question - what do you do with laptops when you leave the room? They are usually too large for the room safe and too cumbersome to lug around.
Great tips, thank you. I should be pulling that bedspread off instead of yelling at my husband not to sit on it, haha. We bring a small, motion sensor light so at night you can find the bathroom without turning on lights. It just sits on the floor and works great.
LOL❤
Jen, that sweater really makes the colour of your eyes pop! Looks great on you. And I’ll say it again, that new haircut rocks!
Oh thank you so much, Linda!
Your new hair looks great Jen!
Oh thank you!!
I go a step further with the iron. I use a damp wash cloth and iron and blow the steam out on the wash cloth to make sure the bottom has been washed.
SMART
Thank you! Going to be doing lots of traveling and many of these are just reminders but so helpful!
Like your new hair length. Very flattering!
Thank you!
Love these tips & LOVE your hair, you look great!!!:)
OMG the hair after the new cut ❤❤ Beautious.
Thank you!! I love it, too!
Make sure the shower head is pointing into the shower! I was in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur and the staff had turned the shower heads so they sprayed out of the shower (hitting you in the face) when you turned on the water! It happened to my work colleague too so it must have been a fun thing they did to amuse themselves. Another tip, if you like quiet like I do, ask for a room far from the elevator!!!!! Also if you find that your room is near a laundry, gym or ice maker, or over a bar you may want to ask to be moved.
OK so this JUST happened to us in Barbados! What in the world? Definitely should have added that.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing -to you and Scott!
Our pleasure, Mary!!
Great advice! Happy new year :). Blessings to you and yours in 2025 ❤
Such a great topic, Jen! Love love love it. So helpful. Many thanks
Jen you look great! Very refreshed ❤
Hi Jen. I enjoyed the video. I travel a lot as well for work (coffee related) and when I travel with family or friends or even training someone new, often they are excited about making coffee in the room machines. I always caution against this as they are seldom clean. Usually running a brew of just water into a cup cures that thought right up haha.
Excellent video!❤❤❤
Would love to know your camera and lens set up! I feel like the quality of your videos lately has been top notch!
You’re so kind! Facing a window with a ring light to the side and just my iPhone 16 pro!
Thanks Jen for the great tips. 🙏🏽❤️
Great tips! I really like the curtain clipping hack! Thank you!
This is a great list of tips! Very helpful!
Good tips. Thank you.
That is a great list! Thank you for the video!
Great tips!
Love the haircut! Looks really good. I'm also a big fan of putting things away and having a place for things; I've left way too much stuff in hotel rooms over the years. :( Also, definitely check for clean bedding and for bedbugs! I leave my stuff by the door first thing and check everything, just to be safe.
Good tips.
Your color is growing out beautifully!
#14 made me laugh. There is one room at a hotel I frequently use in Ottawa that has the hot/cold reversed on both the sink and shower. I made a note in my phone to check anytime I stay so I don’t shock myself with cold water in the shower. 😊
Sara, seriously, it's weird things like that! Better to find out fully clothed then standing their naked and freezing LOL
I used a white noise app at WDW over marathon weekend and was able to sleep through the electrical water parade and the fireworks nightly.
It makes such a difference. And during my RunDisney days I remember that firework noise all too well!
Great tips!! Thanks to you and Scotty! Your hair is fabulous! Are you curling it or is that cute and natural?
I always order tomato juice on an airplane, never any carbonation, and supplement with tons of water
Does your husband ever give tips for nervous flyers? Thank you
I always unplug the hotel clock - I don’t want to deal with its bright lights or other alarms so I just unplug it
Put all valuable/passport in the hotel safe upon arrival - no need to walk around with extra cash/documents/credit cards etc.
had this experience in Liverpool uk. beautiful hotel went to get in the shower and could only get b oiling hot water no cool could be added s o had to get dressed Again so they could move us. would have been better to know when we arrived in the afternoon an d not late at night when I just wanted to get to bed ha ha
It's a mistake you only make once!
Hi Jen, just subscribed. I found you when searching ‘what to pack for a cruise’ last year. My first and only cruise was 47 nights from Southampton to Sydney to get home as I couldn’t fly. Your packing videos also helped so so much! Now a weekly watcher and enjoy all your varied content so much.
Oh I'm so glad, Wendy! Thank you!