Menu

REAL MOM TRAVEL TIPS

5 Things I Always Do As Soon as We Get to a Hotel

Five little things that make our hotel stay easier from the very first day.
READ MY HOTEL ROUTINE ↓

I Don't Completely Unpack.

Getting to the hotel is one of my favorite parts of a trip. The travel day is over, the kids are excited to see the room, and vacation finally feels like it’s starting. I don’t have some huge unpacking routine when we arrive. I actually try to do the opposite.

I spend about 30 minutes doing a few things that I know will make the rest of our stay easier—and then we’re off to enjoy the trip. Here are the five things I always do as soon as we get to a hotel with kids.

Read the 5 Rules
01 / 05

Unpack Only What We're Actually Going to Use

I am not spending the first hour of vacation completely unpacking everyone’s suitcase. I hang up anything that will wrinkle, put shoes in one spot and leave most of our clothes organized inside their packing cubes. Everyone knows which cubes are theirs, and we can grab what we need without turning the entire suitcase upside down.

I also start a dirty-clothes bag right away. Once something has been worn, it goes straight in there instead of getting mixed back in with the clean clothes.

MOM TIP
Bring a separate laundry bag. At the end of the trip, zip it up, put it in the suitcase and you’re basically packed.
02 / 05

Stock the Fridge + Make a Snack Spot

Before the kids start asking for snacks—which usually takes about five minutes—I get our food situated. Anything cold goes straight into the mini fridge, and I pick one spot for snacks, water bottles and easy breakfast foods. I especially love having a few things the kids can grab quickly before we head out for the day. And if we’re staying for several nights, one of our first stops is usually a grocery store or somewhere we can grab water, fruit, snacks and a few easy things for the room.

MOM TIP

Having breakfast snacks in the room is one of my favorite family travel tricks. Even if the hotel serves breakfast, they’re perfect for early risers or mornings when you need to get out the door quickly.

03 / 05

Get the Bathroom + Bedtime Ready.

I always get tonight’s routine ready before we leave the room again. In the bathroom, I put out our toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes and the toiletries we’ll actually use. Then I figure out everyone’s sleeping spots and pull out pajamas, sleep sacks, favorite blankets, sound machines and anything else we’ll want at bedtime.

When we come back to the hotel after dinner, swimming or a full day of exploring, I don’t want to start unpacking. I want baths, pajamas and bed to be as easy as possible.

MOM TIP

Keep first-night pajamas and bathroom essentials near the top of your luggage. Your tired end-of-the-day self will thank you.
04 / 05

Figure Out the Hotel

Once we’re settled, we do a little exploring. We find the pool, breakfast area, elevators, lobby, and anywhere else we know we’ll be using during our stay. I also check the breakfast hours, pool hours, and any hotel activities or amenities we might want to use.

The kids usually love this part because it feels like their first little adventure of the trip. It instantly helps build familiarity and excitement right out of the gate.

MOM TIP
Snap a picture of the breakfast and pool hours. It’s much easier than trying to remember them—or looking them up every day.
05 / 05

Look at Tomorrow's Plan

Before I completely switch into vacation mode, I take two minutes to think about the next morning. What time do we need to leave? Do we need swimsuits? A stroller? Tickets? Jackets? A diaper bag? If we have an early morning, I’ll put together anything I know we’ll need so we’re not searching for it while everyone is trying to get ready.

Then I plug in our phones, tablets and portable chargers and I’m officially done for the night.

MOM TIP

If you have an early start, lay out the kids’ outfits before bed too. Getting everyone dressed and out the door is so much easier when you don’t have to make decisions first thing in the morning.

THE REAL MOM RULE

Do a Little Now. Relax a Lot More Later.

I’m not trying to turn our hotel room into a perfectly organized little home. We’re on vacation. I just know that spending 30 minutes getting the important things ready makes such a difference later.

01

The snacks are stocked.

02

The bathroom is ready.

03

Bedtime is ready.

04

I know where breakfast is.

05

Tomorrow feels easier.

CONTINUE READING

Popular Family Travel Guides