Travelling for work- Tips?

[Moonlamp]

I start a new position on Monday, one which will require me to be away from home most weeks, sometimes for a few days and sometimes for the whole week.
Of course, I've done training courses away before, but does anyone who travels for work regularly have any hints or tips as to how to live in hotels successfully?

(It's all UK based)

"Get 2-3 plugs for your chargers, not every hotel has moved to USB sockets yet and you may need to charge your phone, laptop and tablet at the same time."

This, with bells on!

If you are flying, be aware that some of your small toiletry bottles might leak. I’ve seen cling film over the neck with the lid screwed on as a hack but that’s a real faff so just be prepared to work out the ones that are the problem with a waterproof bag the first few times you go.

A spare bag for dirty laundry (plastic bag will do).

Are you driving? If you're driving a lot I'm a big believer in having an emergency "grab bag" in the boot in case of an accident or breakdown. Warning triangle, foil blanket, water bottle, pee bottle/she-wee, florescent gilet (in addition to one in glove compartment), small first aid kit, fleece blanket etc are the type of things I gave in mine. I also carry a power bank you can jump start the car from, or charge your mobile. If you're driving where there might be snow then also additional things like a flask of hot water and Wellington boots.

For the hotel I agree with an extension cable. Amazing how many hotels still don't have a plug next to the bed to charge your phone!

Did you phone and ask for an iron? Even ones that don't have them in the rooms usually bring you one if you ask

In addition to many excellent ideas above, DH also takes his PlayStation if he has to go for the week, and a little lunch box he can get a breakfast to go in from a hotel buffet as he often needs to be on site early.
He's got favourite restaurants in some cities now and will get a takeout from them and a beer from local shop (keeps a bottle opener with his cutlery) and just chills in his room, the novelty of hotel restaurants wears off quickly.

I had a little pack of usefuls:

Tweezers, nail clippers and nail file
Plasters, paracetomol, vaseline
Sewing kit

Swimsuit if there's a pool. Travel yoga mat for early morning stretches.

I found planning something to do for a couple of evenings was good or you can end up just doing more work.

Arrange set days when you will have a natter with friends/family to use the long evenings.

Try not to drink too much. Easy to do when on your own and someone else is paying!

Don't have pudding every night. Temptation is to eat like when you are out socialising rather than as you do at home. I lost a stone without even trying after I stopped working away. It's easy to pile on weight !

If you have kids get into a routine of when you call them.

If you have a partner them a quick goodnight /good morning message makes you feel connected. It can be hard being separated.

I haven't RTFT so apologies for repeats.

Like pp I had a 'go' bag

Comfy underwear
Totes grippy socks
Warm Pj's
Decent coffee
Large mug

I agree with pp saying kettles can be manky but I had to carry all my stuff so I took descaling and Milton tablets.

Wash bag has;
Shampoo
Soap
Shower gel
Hair brush
Tooth brush /paste
Mouth wash
Wet wipes
Hand sanitizer
Condoms ( you never know 😉 )
Nail clippers / file
Any regular Meds you need
Aspirin
Paracetamol
Alka salsa
Moisture .

1st aid
Antihistamines
Plasters ( get a strip you can cut down to whatever size you want rather than individual ones, that way you always have the right size )
Scissors
Savlon
Bonjela
Tweezers
Pain killer of choice

Long USB cables ( mine are almost 6 foot )
A good power bank so you can charge / use your laptop , headphones, speakers etc whenever you want.

Shelf stable snacks
Baby bel
Chedders / crisps
boiled sweets
Malt loaf
cup a soup
pot noodles
John west tuna lunch pack
olives
Peparami
if you shop at Tesco look for Ilchester snack cheese's
individual wraped bite size different cheese.
A mix of fresh and dried fruit ,

A door wedge for safety .

Download a load of music , audibooks and films , hotel WiFi can be terrible.

I have both of the below and use them at home and while away.

The sleep headphones are great for side sleepers snd will help distract you from hotel noise.

The lights come in a set of 3 and each take 3x aaa batteries. They stay lit for around 15 seconds and are great for lighting you way to the bathroom and alerting you if the door / window is open ( if your a light sleeper )
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Headphones-Bluetooth-Headband-Wireless-Waterproof-grey/dp/B083Z2DBML/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1ZAR4JJYOZLNV&keywords=sleep+headphones+headband&qid=1696973710&sprefix=sleep+hea%2Caps%2C266&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eufy-Stick-Anywhere-Bedroom-Bathroom-Efficient/dp/B071CFBXXZ/ref=asc_df_B071CFBXXZ/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=256133426109&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12672728865697541312&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046634&hvtargid=pla-349940461321&psc=1

Most things I take have been mentioned above already.

One thing I always take is one of those doorstop alarms for added peace of mind when I'm in my hotel room alone. It's the first thing I pack.

UHT or oat milk maybe? The hotel milk portions given with the tea or coffee in the rooms are tiny!

Don’t overthink what you are going to wear for work - have something safe and adaptable that can be mixed and matched.

Keep your hotel bag and day requirements separate, so you can leave your hotel things at the hotel/in the car without having to move items. Fewer bags is better.

I no longer use a handbag - my phone wallet carries all my cards, and I put a lipstick in my coat pocket.

Have a routine at the hotel. Set up a little ‘in tray’ on the table with your key card and phone, so you always know where they are.

Extension multi gang lead - yes!

Refillable water bottle.

Miniature bottles of toiletries that live in one bag, ready to grab. Including spare contact lenses if you use them. Hairbrush and hair ties.

Headphones.

Slippers/flip flops. Swimming cap and goggles.

I always have the same breakfast when I’m travelling. I try to avoid the temptations of the eggs Benedict / buffet. I have porridge, fruit, and coffee. I bring peppermint tea bags for the room. And emergency snacks!

my musts

• charged kindle
• refillable water bottle
• I exercise every day without fail

If travelling abroad, take a UK extension lead and one adapter. This will give you several UK sockets. Leave it in your travel case.

I agree about trying to find 'regular' hotels. Apart from any benefits of joining a loyalty scheme, the staff are always so much nicer when they know you. Hotel WiFi is often awful so it's good to have some downloaded music/films.

This is a tip I saw on here... If the hotel has a nice coffee machine at breakfast and you don't drink black coffee, don't select the ready made white coffee which is often made with powdered milk but order a black coffee and add fresh milk.

Make sure you have an emergency lip salve and perfume in your handbag.

You should be able to ask for more at reception.

I used to ask housekeeping to empty the minibar of all Pringles, Toblerone etc as soon as I arrived.
Got some funny looks sometimes when they said it wasn't obligatory to eat them. But for those of us with no self-control - it would have been a Malory Towers midnight feast every night.

Foldable travel slippers.
Kaftan.
Kindle.

@ScottBakula your list is more like mine would be (esp the treats). Are you classed as an over-packer as well? 😂

@hellohelp ha ha I leave the kitchen sink at home but not much else !

In truth I use to have to dash to various sites ( all in the UK) so having a rucksack to just be able to grab made life easier.

I wore uniform for work and had a pair of jeans , 2 t-shirts and a thick hoodie.
All of ot fit fairly easily in a commuter size rucksack .

Snacks are a must , most of our sites are in industrial areas so no nipping to the shops.

Aparthotels are a great choice. One I stay at costs the same as a hotel, has proper hotel reception, does normal hotel breakfast, but you get a big room with a proper kitchen so you can cook instead of eating out all the time. I found the novelty of restaurant meals every night soon wore off, too unhealthy, little veg, so it's great to have the choice. Watch the full English every day - you'll pile on weight.

Get a wheelie case that has room for laptop and clothes.

Second going for dresses as it's one outfit per day and is less to carry. Try to colour match outfits so you only need the one pair of shoes/boots for the duration.

Enjoy the break. Watch the tv you want without compromising in the evening. A chance to indulge in guilty pleasure trashy tv without judgement. Eat whatever you want without worrying about what anyone else needs while your employer pays.

It admittedly gets old, but embrace the newness and excitement and enjoy the mind space of an evening alone while it's fresh.

Travel light

watch what you eat. It’s easy to put on weight

avoid travelling with colleagues (this just extends your work day)

if you are being driven, getting train or flying, invest in a nice, warm oversized scarf/pashmina and just a thin Mac.

FusionChef you're right that some will bring you an iron - not all though, I've also been directed to laundry service only, back in 24h, not very helpful if meeting starts in an hour. In some they do, I tried in a few when they first started removing them and they usually took their sweet time, and I'm an impatient person. So can highly recommend my travel steamer, doesn't take much space.

OP, as for taking pot noodles etc, your employer pays expenses? The location has some restaurants and shops? Then go out and eat normal food, it will not be good for your health to live on ultraprocessed snacks.

I'll add Immodium for the first aid/wash bag. Nothing worse than having a bad diarrhoea attack when you're away from home.

I take a travel mug and some coffee bags, as can't deal with rubbish coffee! And some cutlery so you can always have a room picnic if you don't want to eat out.

Not a tip but something to consider - how will you eat relatively healthily while travelling? I always find it so difficult but don’t travel all that often.