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When you come to stay at a hotel, usually all that you want are the basics: to relax, watch a movie on TV, get a good night’s sleep, enjoy some delicious English breakfast in the morning, maybe get some advice about what interesting sites there are to see nearby. The last thing that should be on your mind is how uncomfortable you are.

It shouldn’t take 5 stars for a hotel to provide the basics and make you feel welcome. However, the sad reality is that far from every hotel you stay at will be up to your standards. Luckily, people have come up with plenty of life hacks while you stay at hotels, especially bad ones. And one person’s hotel hack to get rid of the annoying gap between the curtains inspired others to share their own tips and tricks.

We here at Bored Panda have compiled a list of hotel hacks to improve your stay and help you circumnavigate bad experiences as best you can. So scroll down, upvote your fave hacks, and share them with your friends. And be sure to leave us a comment with any hotel hacks that you might know as well.

When Rick Klau shared the hack where you can use a hanger to close the blackout curtains in your hotel room, the internet’s response was phenomenal. The hack was liked 396,700 times and retweeted 71,500 times. Klau’s post inspired other social media users to share their own hotel hacks, and some of them are brilliant in their simplicity.

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Rosie Hamilton
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always carry individually wrapped antiseptic wipes. As a dog owner I've found them to be a very good idea just generally.. The packaging can be recyled on these. EDIT: and the wipes are as well with the ones I use. I only mentioned packaging as I was looking at that large plastic container in the photo.

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Suzi Gauthier
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've never been in a hotel where you had to turn on the electricity in the room. Where does this happen?

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Bored Panda interviewed Dr. Gabor Forgacs from Ryerson University about the hotel industry, as well as the challenges it faces in the 21st century.

“Technology is offered as an option for convenience but not as a replacement for service. Automated check-ins and wake up calls etc. are fine, however, it is a guest preference to choose them as a lot of guests appreciate the human interaction instead. Technology is used to expedite service (curbside check-in, messaging, digital coupons, etc.) not replacing it.”

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“How we leverage our data is important for hoteliers. We have a data-rich operational environment and we have to walk a fine line in terms of using our data sources for improving service without invading guest privacy and respecting sensitivities," Dr. Forgacs said.

“The philosophy of old school hoteliers, and I am one, still rules: we see everything, we know anything about our guests but never disclose anything, never reveal what we know and keep all that to ourselves. Best hoteliers are unassuming, discreet and highly knowledgeable.”

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Rosie Hamilton
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They always throw away any of the small soaps that remain so you might as well take those. Hotels need to stop providing these things in mini plastic containers for the sake of the planet.

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Hans
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was neccesary in times of bad WiFi. Hotels that still have individual access points in rooms might overhaul their technology...

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's this terrifying fear for hotel remotes? I've never had one that's particularly dirty, and it's not the only thing other people have touched yet people seem to freak out about it

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Mimi M
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And also, one where the outlets fit the configuration of the plugs that you use (American, European, whatever). Better than having to depend on getting multiple adapters for each of your devices. If the plug on the strip doesn't fit the wall outlet, you can get just one adapter at the front desk.

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Radek Suski
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What hotel has doors like that? I never seen a gap between doors and the floor

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Janine B.
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or just don't pick hotels with no hygienic standards. Never had a sticky remote in my rooms, no matter if cheap or expensive hotels. Cleaning should not be a matter of price.

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Hans
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is exactly what the hotel chains want you to do. Usually, it means thta you do not pick by quality and price andmore but by brand. Maximizing a hotel program usually is only worth it if you stay in hotels A LOT and/or if you can status match with other loyality programs, like that of airlines. Which again make only sense if you travel a lot. From my experience, there is little sense below 25 nights a year.

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Rosie Hamilton
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Small point but it will take you longer to get out when the fire alarm goes off (happened twice in hotels I've stayed in).

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"Please be careful not to cover any air holes so you don't disable the detector. Please remove the tape in the morning so maintenance can inspect the detector."

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Jace
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m super light-sensitive, but this seems extreme to me.

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Id row
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never, ever tamper with a smoke detector. Travel with a sleep mask if a tiny light bothers you so much.

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Emily
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah. How bright is that light that a single layer of duct tape wouldn't block the light?

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jknbt jknbt
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

big brother will be pissed that he can't watch you thru the secret camera...

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Alexandra Lania
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tbh we've taped over hotel room TV's that have those annoying blue, green or red lights that stay on the entire night and are extremely bright.

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Dippin Dot
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But it's the "everything's OK" light?! How else am I supposed to know that everything's ok if I can't see the light??? (sarcasm)

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Ericka Hokkanen
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dollar store door stop will add security to any room. also hardly seen if beige colored...

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Ericka Hokkanen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NEVER use ice bucket without bag!!!! People poop in these- a LOT!!

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Eva Turner
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Traveling with electrical tape makes you look like a serial killer.

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Eva Turner
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looking like a serial killer traveling with electrical tape in your luggage

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That0neGirl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is for smoking in non-smoking rooms, not covering the light. Also, you can just cover it with a shower cap. Wow, am I the only one who does this?

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Annette Rainbow
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that says it all, I wouldn't even unpack, and would get my refund on the way out

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Leslie Brooke
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can’t down vote this enough! All of these hacks minus 1-2 are seriously stupid!

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Viktor
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Guys, never ever cover the smoke detector in the hotel bedroom, because it sets the fire panel to full evacuation. Have over 10 years hotel experience, happened to me not once...

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Chris Sprucefield
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Illegal tampering with safety equipment, that can still interfere with operation. This could land you in trouble...

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Richard
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bring a few tools to remove the water constrictor in the shower head so you don't have to take a shower under what feels like a spray bottle.

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Kel Gal
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4 years ago

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I think some people put a camera in the smoke detector

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Ross Keim
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your worried about that, turn off all the lights and open your phones camera, you will see any IR light from the camera for night vision

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