The Little-Known Requests Light Sleepers Can Make For A More Peaceful Hotel Stay

Whether you're planning a relaxing vacation or traveling for business, getting a good night's sleep when you're on the road can have a big impact on the success of your trip. If you're a light sleeper, a hotel stay can be particularly brutal. You may be resigned to the fact that there are too many disruptions to allow for good rest, and there isn't much you can do about it, but help is on the way. There are ways for guests to be savvy about making requests for quieter rooms. We spoke exclusively about this issue with Rene Valdez, General Manager at the beachfront Holiday Inn Resort in South Padre Island, Texas. While many people know to ask for a room far away from the ice machine, Valdez explains that guests can also ask for other types of accommodations, such as a room that is not underneath the ballroom or rooftop pool.

Valdez explains that the staff at the front desk knows the layout of the hotel, which rooms are the quietest, and what events are taking place on the premises during your stay. Requesting a specific type of room is something you may not have known you could ask for from a hotel, and Valdez provides several examples of what preferences to make. By drawing on the staff's expertise, light-sleepers can do more to ensure they sleep soundly during their next hotel stay.

One of the best ways to lay the groundwork for a restful trip is to make arrangements before you even depart, such as following packing tips to ensure you have a stress-free first night of your vacation. You can also follow an important recommendation from Rene Valdez: Call the hotel with any preferences at least a week before you arrive. "This will give the agent on the phone ample opportunity to look for a room that fits your request and can try and save it for you," he says. Valdez explains why giving this much notice is essential. "Putting guests in rooms is sometimes like completing a puzzle," he says. "We have to find the right pieces to fit in order to make the correct image at the end." The front desk receives multiple requests for assistance on the day you check in, so the earlier you put yours in, the better.

Asking for a room far from the elevator will benefit light sleepers and is usually simple for the front desk to arrange. Valdez also suggests asking to be placed far away from emergency stairwells. He explains why this arrangement has become more important recently. "Nowadays with everyone trying to stay more active, more guests are using these to go up and down from the lobby and these doors tend to slam shut on their own due to local code regulations and cause the neighboring rooms to rattle," he says.

Other areas of the hotel can also be disruptive for a light sleeper. Rene Valdez recommends asking for a room that isn't near a busy area like housekeeping storage or a guest lounge, and he suggests specifically asking for one that isn't underneath a restaurant, banquet hall, swimming pool, or rooftop bar. Valdez states, "I think we can all remember that upstairs neighbor walking around at night." He continues, "Imagine that multiplied by 200."

Once in your room, Valdez recommends putting a rolled-up towel at the base of the door to block excess light and sound from outside, another brilliant hotel room hack you can use to improve your stay. "This can go well for rooms that have an adjoining door," he adds, suggesting placing this towel between the adjoining doors. "Sometimes the gap between the doors is tight and creates a better seal to keep excess noise out, especially if there is a family next door." Valdez also recommends using a white noise machine, which some luxury hotels provide for guests. Finally, Valdez says, "being nice to the people that serve you can go a very long way." He continues, "Be kind and be clear with what you are asking for or needing. Front Desk agents are the face of the Hotel and catch all the complaints and stresses of the shift, so being warm and friendly is the best route to go."