7 Super Easy Ways to Make a Hotel Room Feel a Little More Like Home

I remember when I was younger, the idea of “work travel” seemed so glamorous. Gosh—to be young and dreamy about the prospect of a business trip or traveling somewhere for the holidays and having to stay in a hotel. Don’t get me wrong: Travel is exciting. But as fabulous as hotels can be, it’s hard to match sleeping in your very own space, no matter how great the hotel bed is. And while we’ve definitely given you tips on how to create a guest bedroom that belongs in a luxe hotel, there aren’t as many resources on how to make a hotel room feel like home. As someone who travels a fair amount for my job, I’ve come up with some tricks and tips for that “home-away-from-home” vibe, and this is how you do it. 

Nothing creates a homier feel more than scent does. Pack a travel candle to instantly fill your hotel room with an aroma that says “home” to you. And when you’ve burned through your candle, don’t forget you can repurpose the jar for everything from planting a succulents to storing your makeup.

Buy: P.F. Candle Co. Travel Jar Candle, $12 at Urban Outfitters

Maybe you get lucky and score the corner suite, tucked away from the bright lights of the big city. Or maybe you get less lucky and wind up facing the busy, well-lit main drag. Slip on a luxurious silk sleep mask, and it won’t matter either way.

Buy: Slip Silk Sleep Mask, $50 at Anthropologie

The dreaded dry air of an airplane, moving from one climate to another, the generally depleting effects of travel—combine those factors, and you’ve got a recipe for dull, sad skin. Show your complexion a little affection with a portable humidifier. Trust me—it’ll be worth the space it takes up in your suitcase.

Buy: Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier, $39 at Urban Outfitters

Do you have a can’t-miss show you always switch on at home? Same. *Cough* “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” *cough* Stay plugged in while you’re on-the-go with a streaming device like a Google Chromecast so you can watch all your favorites in your room. And FYI, some hotels have begun to offer the option of logging into your streaming services on their televisions, so keep an eye out for where you can take advantage of that.

Buy: Google Chromecast, $35 at Amazon

You’ve wrapped your meetings for the day, and now you’re back in your room. Or maybe you’ve made it through a particularly long dinner with your family. Did you check the clock? You’re right on schedule for some pampering. Take advantage of the alone-time to treat yourself to a sheet mask. No one’s around to judge, so the more outrageous the mask, the better.

Buy: Dr. Jart+ Hydration Lover Rubber Mask, $12 at Sephora

Keep your nighttime routines going even when you’re staying in a hotel. Listen to your favorite meditation app, read a chapter of your book, page through a magazine—whatever your wind-down ritual looks like, odds are, it’ll translate just fine to a hotel room. If you typically fall asleep with the aid of a noise machine, look into downloading a white noise app (you’ve got plenty of options!) to get the job done while you’re away from home. 

Repeat after me: I. Will. Unpack. I know, I know, it seems like the most thankless, fruitless task, but trust me, once you see your outfits hanging neatly in the closet, you’ll feel much more at home. Plus, actually unpacking your clothes makes getting ready for your meetings or family gatherings infinitely easier.