6 Ways To Get That "Home Away From Home" Feeling From Your Favorite Hotels

When you travel frequently, it's often challenging to attain the same comfy, familiar feel of home that you're used to in your own bed. Still, you don't have to feel out of place or be left longing for home, just because you're always gallivanting for business or pleasure and checking into different hotels. Sometimes, it's more a matter of what you do yourself, than your surroundings and feeling the comforts of home can be easily achieved, no matter where you are.

1. Bring Your Own Pillow 

Travel pillows haven't just gotten smaller, they've also gotten smarter. Some are inflatable, making it a snap to pack them in your luggage, while others are reversible or adjustable in different ways, recreating the comforts of home for your extended stay or frequent travels. 

Pack a pillow up in your suitcase the next time you head out to your overnight destination, and you should go to sleep and awake feeling more cozy and comfortable, especially if you discover a travel pillow that you absolutely love.

2. Use Music To Make You Feel At Home

No matter where you are in the world, music can always bring you closer to home. Play songs you grew up on or the tunes you first danced to with your spouse or partner and you should get that warm, fuzzy feeling of home. You might also flood the hotel room (within reason, of course) with classical music, such as Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons, to create a different atmosphere and one that will elevate your mood.

3. Brown Bag It

If you always miss the flavors of home while traveling the country or world, then always bring some homemade goodies along for the trip. Ask your mom to make your favorite cookie recipe or whip up something yourself, but don't leave home without the comforting food that will give you sweet dreams, even though you're miles away from home.

4. Tote Your Own Toiletries

Most hotels offer a smorgasbord of personal care goodies, and while a lot of people collect and hoard these products, you may prefer the scent and lather of your own shampoo or bar soap. Buy them in convenient travel sizes, to avoid hauling a heavy load, but make sure you have the items that you're accustomed to and prefer, rather than experimenting on yourself with hotel samples.

5. Phone Home

Use your cell phone to phone home, so you can hear the familiar voices that you miss. Talking with friends and family won't just make you feel closer, it will also lift your spirits while you're far away.

6. Take Advantage Of Reward Programs

Many major hotel chains offer reward programs for their frequent patrons, and that can add up to big perks for you; however, beyond the discounts and freebies, the service you receive will boost your spirits, too. Hotel staff recognize a valued customer when they see one, and they're going to treat you with a little extra care, making you feel special and deserving. 

The hotel industry, in general, extends all kinds of offers to lure tired travelers to rest, so if you stay away from home that often, make sure you join the rewards program that will pay you back with what you want most, be it half-off your first night or a complimentary meal. The TLC you earn goes a long way toward making you feel at home, as well as appreciated.

Some might say you're lucky to be running off from city to city or town to town a lot, but if you're left missing home because you're always traveling, find ways to bring the familiar and familial with you. So long as you start out with a great hotel, it's not too hard to make yourself at home.