When visiting a picturesque location like Lake Placid, NY, your hotel stay can make all the difference in the success of your trip. While many hotels offer fantastic amenities, knowing a few clever hotel hacks can elevate your experience, making it more comfortable and efficient. Whether you’re on a solo adventure, a romantic getaway, or a family vacation, these simple tricks will help make your stay even better.

1. Create a Simple Toothbrush Holder

One common issue travelers face is where to put their toothbrush in a hotel bathroom. Placing it directly on the counter can expose it to bacteria and other germs, or it might roll off and end up on the floor. A quick fix is to make a DIY toothbrush holder using a disposable or plastic cup often found in your hotel room.

Here’s how you can do it:

• Start by cleaning the cup with water to make sure it’s free from any particles or residue.
• Dry the cup using a towel or tissue.
• Shake your toothbrush dry before placing it inside the cup with the bristles facing up, ensuring it doesn’t touch any surfaces.

This simple hack will keep your toothbrush clean and off potentially contaminated surfaces, helping you maintain hygiene during your stay.

2. Use a Shoe to Remember Your Essentials

Packing can sometimes lead to forgotten items, and realizing you’ve left something behind after checking out can be stressful. To avoid this, use one of your shoes as a reminder for your most important belongings.

Here’s how to do it:

• Before packing up, gather your essential items—passport, wallet, phone charger, keys, and travel documents.
• Place these items in one of your shoes, ideally a shoe that stands out or is frequently used.
• Position the shoe in a spot where it’s impossible to miss, like near the door or on top of your suitcase.
• Before leaving, check the shoe to ensure everything you need is packed.

This trick ensures that you’ll never forget those crucial items, making check-out much easier.

3. Travel with a Soapy Sponge

Maintaining cleanliness while on the road is essential, especially if you have reusable items like water bottles or lunch containers. A soapy sponge is an easy solution that helps you keep things hygienic throughout your trip.

Here’s how to prepare your soapy sponge:

• Soak a clean dish sponge in dish soap before your trip. Allow it to absorb a generous amount of soap, then let it dry completely.
• Once dry, cut the sponge into smaller pieces to make it more travel-friendly.
• Store the sponge pieces in a resealable plastic bag to keep them moist and ready for use.

Whenever you need to clean reusable containers, just wet one of the sponge pieces to activate the soap and scrub away residue. This portable cleaning tool ensures you can clean your items easily, even while traveling.

4. Quickly Childproof Your Room with Duct Tape

Traveling with kids requires extra precautions, especially when staying in an unfamiliar hotel room. While hotels are generally safe, you can quickly childproof your room using duct tape, making it safer for your little ones.

Here’s how you can childproof your room:

• Use duct tape to cover electrical outlets, preventing children from inserting objects into them.
• Secure any cords out of reach by taping them along baseboards or against the wall.
• Cover sharp furniture corners with duct tape to avoid potential injury.

Once your childproofing is done, double-check everything to ensure your room is as safe as possible. When you check out, remember to remove the duct tape to leave the room in its original condition.

5. Make Use of Your Hotel’s Coffee Maker

A hotel coffee maker isn’t just for making coffee—it can be used to quickly boil water for meals like instant oatmeal, noodles, or soup. This handy hack can save you time and money, especially if you’re looking for a quick, budget-friendly meal.

Here’s how you can use the coffee maker for instant meals:

• Clean the coffee maker first to ensure there are no coffee grounds remaining.
• Fill the water reservoir with the amount of water you need for your meal.
• Turn on the coffee maker to heat the water.
• Pour the hot water over your instant meal in a bowl or cup, cover it, and let it sit for a few minutes as directed.

This trick lets you prepare a quick, hot meal without needing to find a restaurant, making it perfect for early mornings or late-night cravings.

6. Add Extra Security with a Curtain Hanger

While hotels have security measures in place, you can add an extra layer of protection to your room by using a curtain hanger as a secondary lock. This inexpensive hack can provide added peace of mind during your stay.

Here’s how to do it:

• Locate the curtain hanger or clip in your room’s closet, which is typically used to hold curtains in place.
• Place the hanger over the door handle and latch, securing both. This makes it much harder for someone to open the door from the outside.
• Test the security to ensure the door stays locked with the hanger in place.

If the hanger isn’t long enough, you can link two hangers together to cover the latch and handle. When you check out, simply remove the hanger and return it to its original place.

These simple yet effective hacks can make your hotel stay more enjoyable, secure, and stress-free. By taking a few extra steps, you can ensure that your time in Lake Placid, or any destination, is both comfortable and memorable.