Over the years, I’ve developed a mental (and physical) toolkit of what I call “Travel Tweaks.” These aren’t just hacks; they are intentional adjustments to make a sterile room feel like a sanctuary. Grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s dive into the ultimate guide to mastering your hotel stay in 2025.
Hello there! I’m Linda Ruth. If you’ve followed my work over at CbS, you know I’m a firm believer that the best stories aren’t just found in the destinations we visit, but in the small, quiet moments in between—the steam rising off a morning latte in a hidden Chicago cafe, or the way the light hits a brick alleyway in the late afternoon.
But as someone who has spent more than five years living out of suitcases and hotel rooms to bring those stories to life, I’ve learned a hard truth: a bad hotel experience can rewrite the narrative of your entire trip. We’ve all been there—the “blackout” curtains that have a three-inch gap, the lack of outlets near the bed, or the air that feels as dry as a desert.
1. The Arrival Ritual: Setting the Scene
The first ten minutes in a hotel room determine the vibe for the rest of the stay. I call this the “Audit and Adjust” phase.
The Bedbug Inspection
Before you even think about throwing your coat on the bed, head to the bathroom. Drop your luggage on the tile or in the tub (bedbugs hate cold, hard surfaces). Strip back the linens at the head of the bed and check the seams of the mattress. It takes thirty seconds, but it saves a lifetime of headaches.
The “Disgusting” Fabric Strip
You know that decorative runner at the foot of the bed? It’s stylish, sure, but as someone who talks to a lot of hotel staff, let me tell you: they are almost never washed. I immediately fold it up and place it in the far corner of the closet. It’s the first step in reclaiming the hygiene of your space.
The Lighting Hack
Hotel curtains are notorious for letting in a “laser beam” of light right at 6:00 AM. Look in the closet for the pants hangers—the ones with the clips. Use those clips to pinch the two curtain panels together. It’s a total blackout, and it’s free.
2. Power and Tech: Staying Connected
We are digital storytellers, which means a dead battery is a dead deadline.
The TV USB Secret
If you’ve forgotten your charging brick (it happens to the best of us), look at the back or side of the hotel’s flat-screen TV. Almost every modern set has a USB port. It won’t be the fastest charge in the world, but it’ll keep your phone alive overnight while you sleep.
The “All-on” Card Trick
In many eco-conscious hotels, you have to leave your key card in a slot by the door to keep the power on. This is great for the planet, but terrible if you need to charge your camera or laptop while you’re out at dinner. The tweak? Almost any plastic card—a gym membership, an old gift card, or even a business card—will usually keep the sensors happy.
The Ironing Board Standing Desk
Most hotel desks are ergonomically designed for… well, nothing. If you’re like me and prefer to work standing up to keep the creative juices flowing, set up the ironing board. You can adjust the height perfectly to your eye level. It’s the ultimate DIY standing desk.
3. Wellness and Comfort: Making it “Home”
Chicago winters have taught me a lot about dry air, and hotel HVAC systems are the worst offenders.
The DIY Humidifier
Wake up with a sore throat? Dampen a large bath towel, wring it out so it’s not dripping, and drape it over the luggage rack near the heater or AC unit. As the air circulates, it picks up the moisture from the towel. It’s a game-changer for your skin and respiratory health.
The “Shower Steamer”
If you don’t have time to find a dry cleaner but your favorite blazer looks like it spent the night in a trash compactor, hang it in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. Keep the door closed to trap the steam. Ten minutes later, the wrinkles will have dropped significantly.
The Shoe-in-the-Safe Rule
If you use the in-room safe for your passport or jewelry, you run the risk of the “check-out amnesia.” My foolproof tweak: put one of the shoes you plan to wear home inside the safe with your valuables. You literally cannot leave the room without opening that safe.
4. The 2025 Booking Edge: Beyond the Aggregators
In 2025, the way we book has changed. While third-party sites are great for browsing, they aren’t always great for the experience.
The “Book Direct” Renaissance
Hotels are fighting back against high commission fees from booking sites. Often, if you book directly on their website, they’ll throw in a “direct-only” perk: free high-speed Wi-Fi, a $20 F&B credit, or a late check-out.
The “Special Request” Box is Your Best Friend
When booking, don’t leave that “additional comments” box empty. I always mention if I’m there for photography or a writing project. Sometimes, it leads to a corner room with better light or a quieter floor. Authenticity works; tell them why you’re there.
The Loyalty Program (Even if you’re a “One-Timer”)
Always join the free loyalty program before you check in. Even at the base level, “Members” are often prioritized for room upgrades over “Standard” guests. It costs zero dollars and takes two minutes.
5. Cleanliness and the “Germ-aphobe” Toolkit
Even the most luxury boutique hotels have high-touch areas that aren’t always as clean as they look.
The Remote Control Shield
The TV remote is statistically one of the grimiest items in any room. I usually slip it inside a clear plastic sandwich bag or even the disposable shower cap from the bathroom. You can still use the buttons, but your hands stay clean.
The Sink Soap Hack
Instead of using the tiny soap dish (which often gets slimy), I place the bar of soap on a clean washcloth. It keeps the counter dry and makes cleanup much easier for the housekeeping staff.
6. Sustainable and Local: Living Like a Chicagoan (Anywhere)
As a blogger, I try to leave a place better than I found it.
Skip the Small Bottles
Many hotels are moving toward wall-mounted dispensers, but if yours still has the mini bottles and you don’t use them, don’t leave them to be tossed. I often collect the unopened ones and donate them to local shelters back home.
The Gym Water Dispenser
Stop paying $9 for the “premium” bottled water on the nightstand. Almost every hotel gym has a high-quality filtered water dispenser. Take your reusable bottle down there, get a little stretch in, and fill up for free.
Ask the Concierge for a “Local’s Loop”
Instead of asking “Where should I eat?”, I ask: “Where do you go for a coffee on your day off?” This shift in phrasing usually gets me away from the tourist traps and into the places with real soul—the kind of places I love to write about.
Final Thoughts from the Road
Travel is about the friction between the unknown and the familiar. These tweaks are about reducing that friction so you can focus on the reason you left home in the first place: to see something new, to feel something different, and to find a story worth telling.
Whether you’re in a five-star resort in Paris or a quirky boutique hotel in the West Loop, remember that you are the architect of your own comfort. Don’t just settle into the room—make the room settle into you.
What’s the one thing you always do to make a hotel room feel like home? I’d love to hear your “travel tweaks” in the comments!
Linda’s Pro-Tip: If you’re in Chicago and looking for a hotel with the best natural light for your Instagram feed, check out the hotels in the Fulton Market district. The industrial windows are a photographer’s dream!
