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These Items Made My Airbnb/Hotel Feel Like Home While Traveling Alone
I’ve stayed in some beautiful Airbnbs over the years, and also a few that had me questioning my life choices before I even put my bags down. You know the type: cold lighting, scratchy sheets, no heating, and that weird smell that hits you as soon as you open the door. Traveling alone is freeing, but it also means you’re the one who has to create comfort from scratch. No one’s waiting with a glass of wine. No one’s running out to buy toothpaste you forgot. If the place feels sterile, awkward, or just off, it’s on you to fix it.
That’s why I started packing a few things that instantly shift the vibe. Nothing bulky, nothing over the top, just five items I bring to every hotel or Airbnb that make it feel like my space. They’re small enough to fit in a carry-on but big on comfort. If you’ve ever arrived somewhere alone and thought, “I just need this place to feel a little more like me,” this list is for you.
My Top 5 Picks
- InnoGear Travel Essential Oil Diffuser
- Bedsure GentleSoft Fleece Throw Blanket
- Vekkia/LuminoLite Rechargeable Book Light
- FUNTOUCH Rechargeable Travel Makeup Mirror with LED Lights
- HiLIFE Handheld Steamer for Clothes
A Portable Diffuser That Smells Like Comfort
The first thing I do when I arrive somewhere, after checking for hidden cameras and finding the Wi-Fi password, is plug in my portable essential oil diffuser. It’s the fastest way to erase the weird smell of cleaning products and replace it with something that actually feels like me. I use the InnoGear Travel Essential Oil Diffuser.
It’s small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, runs quietly, and works via USB, which means it’s perfect whether I’m staying in a sleek hotel or a 200-year-old Airbnb with only two power outlets. I usually bring a few essential oils in leakproof roller bottles: lavender to sleep, eucalyptus when I’m jet-lagged, and orange for a mood lift.
A Soft Throw Blanket I Never Travel Without
Hotel blankets can feel like cardboard, and Airbnb duvets are sometimes sus. I learned the hard way during a solo trip to Barcelona that nothing, and I mean nothing, ruins a good evening like trying to cozy up in a polyester nightmare. Now, I never travel without my Bedsure GentleSoft Fleece Throw Blanket.
It folds compactly, is surprisingly warm, and has the soft, familiar texture of something I’d toss over my couch back home. I’ve used it on chilly flights, in overly air-conditioned hotel rooms, and even on a rooftop watching the sunrise alone with my coffee. Having a personal blanket sounds minor, but trust me, it makes all the difference when you’re miles from your own bed.
A Rechargeable Clip-On Reading Light That Doubles As Mood Lighting
Most hotel lighting is the emotional equivalent of a hospital corridor — bright, sterile, and unflattering. That’s why I always pack a rechargeable clip-on reading light. The one I swear by is the Vekkia/LuminoLite Rechargeable Book Light. It’s small, rechargeable via USB, and has multiple light settings.
I clip it to the headboard, the mirror, or even the TV remote when I’m improvising. Whether I’m reading before bed or just trying not to stare at fluorescent ceiling lights, this little lamp gives me soft, cozy lighting that instantly makes the space feel more intimate.
A Travel Mirror That Saves Me From Terrible Bathroom Lighting
One thing I learned early on is never to trust the lighting in a hotel or Airbnb bathroom. It’s either a straight-up horror-movie overhead light or a sad, yellow glow that makes it impossible to apply makeup or even basic skincare properly.
That’s why I always pack the FUNTOUCH Rechargeable Travel Makeup Mirror with LED Lights. It’s slim, folds flat, and features adjustable brightness settings, including white light, warm light, and everything in between. I can prop it on a desk, nightstand, or even balance it on my suitcase if necessary. Even when I’m not wearing makeup, I use it for my skincare routine or to check if my SPF blended in.
A Mini Steamer That Keeps My Clothes (And Me) Looking Unbothered
You know what instantly kills the vibe when you’re feeling yourself on a solo trip? Pulling out a cute outfit only to find it looks like it was balled up in a sock drawer. I don’t like to iron. However, I do enjoy a good steaming session, which is why I bring the HiLIFE Handheld Steamer for Clothes with me. It’s compact, heats up quickly, and removes wrinkles from everything from linen dresses to cotton tees.
It’s also surprisingly lightweight and fits into my packing cube. Steaming has also become a ritual. I’ll put on a playlist, sip tea, and steam my clothes while planning my day. It’s low-effort, high-reward, and it makes me feel like I have my life together even in a city I just arrived in.
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The post These Items Made My Airbnb/Hotel Feel Like Home While Traveling Alone appeared first on Travel Noire.
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