How to Sleep Well When Traveling

Whether you are traveling for business or fun, we all strive to take with us the comfort that home provides. This can be especially hard for those fussy sleepers who require further measures to ensure a good night’s rest. From sound proof rooms to the right bedding, here are a few suggestions to maximize your comfort wherever you are.

1. Picking a hotel
When choosing a hotel we rarely ever think about sleep, even though that is for the most part, all we do in them. We tend to prioritize location over comfort which is perfectly normal, however wouldn’t it be great if you could get both? Every hotel should provide travelers with a tranquil sleeping environment. From the sheets to the temperature of the room, your hotel room should feel like a home away from home. I tend to be a fussy sleeper when it comes to noise, so choosing a hotel that is known to have a low noise level is imperative, especially in a city. Doing a bit of research before you book a room can go a long way.
Insider tip: Some hotels that are known for being “quiet” or soundproof such as Hotel Americano, New York and Hotel Bel-Air Los Angeles. See more ultra quiet hotels here.

sleep well when traveling

2. Bedding and Pillows
One of the best feelings is crawling into bed at night after a long day at the office. There are many aspects to think about where your bed is concerned. For example, sheets! Pretty self-explanatory right? For the most part yes but when approaching bedding you have to take into account what kind of sleeper you are. Do you get hot as the night goes on? What kind of pillow do you prefer to sleep on? Are there any allergies the hotel should take into account when preparing a room for you? It’s these little details that can mean the difference between a restless night and a peaceful slumber. There are many hotels that offer alternatives for those with allergies so calling ahead and discussing it with someone is highly recommended.

Inside tip: Some hotels have pillow menus or offer down alternative options for those who have allergies.  Marriott carries both down/feather and polyester choices that includes the down alternative eco smart pillow (filling is made of polyester balls spun from recycled water bottles!)

Marriott Hotel PIllows

Four Seasons hotel pillows also features hypoallergenic options at many of their properties so that their guests can relax and not worry about allergies affecting their vacation.

Four Seasons Hotel Pillows

3. Room Temperature and Lighting
– The temperature of a room can make or break a hotel stay. Most hotels set their temperatures between 68-73 degrees which is a pretty happy medium when you think about it. Not too hot, but not too cold. However there are those unique individuals who desire teeth chattering temps and there are those who prefer a tropical climate when they are catching a few z’s. If you are one of these people let your hotel know when you check in. If you are someone who gets cold throughout the night, request an extra blanket be put in your room. If you get hot throughout the night, ask if there are any options for perhaps a thinner blanket. Lighting can play a huge role as well in regards to whether your room is too hot. If your room is facing the sun for a good majority of the day, it is likely your room will be on the warmer side. If you can, request a room that only gets a few hours of direct sun light or make sure your room has both blinds and curtains to block out as much heat as possible.

Blog Author – Diana, Bedding Expert

5 Breakfast in Bed Ideas for Mother’s Day

From breakfast in bed to homemade cards, here are five cute and creative ways to pamper your Mom on Mother’s day!

  1. Breakfast in Bed with a twist!

–          With a plethora of options to choose from and what could possibly be hours spent on Pinterest trying to find the perfect recipe, these Pancake Skewers are not only fun to make but also add a little touch of whimsy that your Mom is sure to appreciate. With a short ingredient list and easy preparation instructions, serve these bite sized treats with warm maple syrup!

Ingredients:

  • Your favorite pancake mix (like Bisquick) or recipe
  • Syrup or vanilla
  • Powdered sugar
  • Assorted berries
  • Skewers cut in half

Preparation:

Whip up some pancake batter and use a measuring spoon or cantaloupe scooper to make your mini pancakes on a griddle. If you are having little ones help serve, you might put a few drops of vanilla in the batter to sweeten up the pancakes. If not, feel free to drizzle syrup galore. Have your kids help you stack a few mini slap jacks on a skewer. Shake some powered sugar over the batch. Then top each stack with yummy seasonal berries.

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  1. Beverages Galore

–          With breakfast taken care of, how is one expected to choose between coffee, tea and juice? Depending on her beverage preference, start the morning with a nice cup of coffee. Instead of presenting it in a regular coffee mug, try presenting it on a decorative tray along with a cute, colorful mug.  Pour the coffee into a French press to give her the option for more. Follow the same guidelines for juice and tea. It might seem like a lot of work, but presentation is everything!

  1. Pretty Little Things

–          The beauty is truly in the details and is especially so on Mother’s Day! Flowers are always a show stopper for any occasion but going beyond the cliché of flowers in a vase, why not get creative? The mason jar picture frame adds the perfect personalized touch! The supplies needed for this are: one clean mason jar, paint (whatever color you prefer), paint brush, vinyl shape or sticker and picture, painter’s tape and clear spray paint. The instructions are fairly easy to follow but for those who are more visual learner’s here is the direct link (www.homestoriesatoz.com/crafts/mason-jar-picture-frame-vase.html) for the website.

Instructions

~Step One: Place vinyl or painters tape over jar and paint to create picture frame window.

~Step Two: Cut a picture to size and attach to inside of jar with painter’s tape.

~ Step Three: “Distress” the lettering of the jar by taking a metal file and scraping off the paint where you want the lettering to show.

 

~ Step Four: Seal the outside of the painted jar with clear spray paint.

 

~ Step Five: Place a paper cup inside the jar to hold the flowers; otherwise your picture will be ruined.

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  1. A Homemade Card

–          There really are no limits to what you can and can’t do when it comes to homemade gift cards. Depending on the age of your kiddos, supervision might be needed. Some common supplies for cards are: scissors, construction/scrapbook paper, glue, tape, markers and pens. With some guidance here and there, let your kids go crazy!

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  1. Piece de Resistance

–          Mother’s day when it comes down to it is all about the pampering! With kids and a ton of things to do throughout the day, slowing down and just relaxing is a luxury not many moms can afford. A bubble bath is the epitome of relaxation and with a kit that has everything from a loofah to a pillow, she will have everything she needs to kick back in the comfort of her own home. Simply put all bath products in a cute basket, throw in a magazine, a bottle of wine and let her be!

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Blog Author – Diana D, Bedding Expert

Bedding We Love – Performance Bedding

Pillows.com has recently added performance bedding to our line! These are great for those athletes who are looking to get a cool and great night’s sleep to wake up feeling rejuvenated for another hard day’s work out. These products are designed to wick away any moisture and keep your body at a regulated temperature. This prevents getting overly hot and uncomfortable which can lead to tossing and turning throughout the night.

Technogel ®  Pillows

The first product is the Technogel ®  Dough Memory Foam pillows! This comes from the makers of Dr.Scholl’s and the outcome has never provided a more comfortable and cool sleep. These Dough Memory foam pillows are created with a unique patented gel layer molded to the top. These allow the combination of cooling sensation of thermal regulation with unparalleled pressure relief.

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SHEEX ®  Bedding

SHEEX ®  was inspired by the performance fabrics worn by athletes and consumers alike to help wick away moisture and keep athletes feeling cool. The idea of bringing this type of fabric into the bedrooms was developed by SHEEX ® for better sleep. SHEEX ®  bedding is sumptuously soft and unrivaled in terms of comfort and breathability. SHEEX ®  bedding is as durable as they are soft and won’t fade, wrinkle, or shrink.

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MLily ®  Memory Foam Mattresses

MLily ®  is dedicated to bringing the highest quality memory foam mattresses to your bedroom at a reasonable price. The memory foam comes infused with bamboo to keep you cool throughout the night! Also, the memory foam is infused with aloe vera to create a luxuriously soft cover.  The support on these memory foam mattresses will help relieve pressure in areas most associated with athletes or people alike. They relieve back, neck, hip and shoulder pain.  The benefit of these mattresses is the CentriPur ®  certification, which means all are non-toxic.

 

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Blog Author: Jesse Sanchez, Lead Bedding Expert