For frequent travellers, hotel stays often come with a familiar set of minor frustrations, from perplexing thermostat controls to elusive light switches. However, one seasoned travel professional has developed a remarkably simple yet effective strategy to avoid a far more costly oversight: leaving valuables behind in the room safe.
The Genius of a Visual Reminder
Stacey Hamilton, a travel expert with Private Tours England who has experienced hundreds of hotel stays across the UK and internationally, has shared her fail-safe method for ensuring a stress-free departure. She advocates for a visual reminder system that has saved her from numerous potential disasters.
"For years, I avoided using hotel safes because I was convinced I'd forget what I'd put in there," Hamilton admitted. "It sounds silly, but when you're rushing to catch a train or heading out early, it's very easy to walk out and leave passports or jewellery behind."
The One-Shoe Solution
Her ingenious solution is to place one essential personal item inside the safe alongside her passport, cash, and other valuables. Specifically, Hamilton always stashes one of her shoes in the secure box.
"I physically cannot leave the room without realising something is missing," she explains. "It's usually a heel for me because I need them for work, but the principle works with anything you wouldn't dream of leaving behind."
The concept is beautifully straightforward: by pairing a critical everyday item with your most important possessions, you create an unmissable cue. "If you travel with trainers, pop one trainer in there. If it's winter, your coat works just as well," Hamilton suggests. "The idea is to create a visual reminder you can't overlook."
Bonus Hotel Hacks for Savvy Travellers
Beyond the safe strategy, Hamilton has other practical tips for enhancing the hotel experience. After retrieving her shoe and valuables during checkout, she makes a point of taking one complimentary item from the bathroom: a shower cap.
"They're perfect for covering shoes when you're packing to come home," she revealed. This simple act solves a common packing dilemma. When shoes become soiled from city exploration or countryside hikes, placing them directly against clothing in a suitcase is far from ideal.
"Instead of wrapping shoes in plastic bags or hoping for the best, I slip a shower cap over the sole," Hamilton said. "It keeps everything else clean, and it packs neatly."
An Unexpected Hygiene Tip
Hamilton also shared a clever secondary use for the humble shower cap that addresses a widespread hygiene concern. "I also use shower caps on TV remotes," she disclosed. "Let's be honest, those things are filthy. It's a simple barrier that makes me feel a lot better, especially if I'm staying somewhere for a few nights."
These straightforward, cost-free techniques demonstrate how a little creative thinking can transform common travel frustrations into managed, orderly processes. From securing valuables to maintaining cleanliness and organising luggage, Hamilton's advice offers practical solutions for travellers seeking smoother, more efficient journeys.
