Your vacation is booked; everyone in the family is ready for a fun fabulous getaway.  The day arrives when it’s time to leave for your getaway to an exotic destination and your travels go smoothly.  You finally get to your gorgeous hotel and check-in.  But before you jump on that bed, there are a few things you should do to your room first!

Never Leave Home Without Them

There are two items that I always pack in my carry-on bag.  They are a travel size can of Lysol spray which is  (available at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $4) and a travel pack of disinfecting wipes (available at your local grocery/drug store $1.50).  Both will come in handy on any trip.

Before You Get Too Comfortable

• Check for bedbugs!  Pull back the covers and sheets and inspect the mattress for bedbug skins, carcasses and umm fecal matter.  A small keychain flashlight will help you inspect the mattress. And once you’ve finished your inspection…
• Lysol down the hotel bed!  We’ve all seen the TV reports on how hotel bedding is cleaned/not cleaned (lol), so to put my mind, somewhat, at ease, I spray my hotel bed linens and bedspreads/coverlets down before I go out on any adventure (on the first day).  Doing this before you leave out gives it time to thoroughly dry before you return. Remember Lysol kills 99% of bacteria.
• Sanitize the bathroom.   Use the disinfecting wipes to clean all door handles, the TV remote control and all bathroom counters and surfaces.  Extra tip, keep a pack in your car for the kids and after pumping gas. They are great at removing that gas smell quickly and any mess the kids get into.  (lol)  I love that the surfaces and hands dry very quickly after using the wipes.
• Use the luggage rack.  Please use the available luggage rack to get your bags off the dirty floor. Yes, it has been vacuumed…but hundreds have walked on these carpets with their shoes on and germs can reside in carpets.  Side note: never walk on a hotel floor without slippers.
• Wash the glasses yourself.   If you like a cold soda or glass of water at night while relaxing, please wash the glasses yourself.  It’s been exposed on news magazine shows that some hotel maids just wipe them off so that they appear clean.  And, always use the provided plastic liner for the ice bucket.

 

To Be on the Safe Side

Some experts and doctors even go so far as to suggest that you leave your luggage with the bellhop while you inspect and prepare your room.  This will prevent any unwanted travelers from sneaking into your luggage.

These are just a few tips to make your next hotel stay a little nicer.

BMWK family what are your after check-in tips?