Sooner or later, anyone that stays in a hotel often enough will encounter either noisy neighbors or outside noise, that will keep them awake. Here’s some sleep tips to try to combat the issues and learn how to sleep better in a hotel.

When you arrive at your destination hotel, ask the front desk about their noise policy or check the in-room information guide. Some hotels have a 10pm quiet time, where some have a midnight policy. If guests are being too loud, they will usually get a warning and if the noise continues, they will likely be kicked out of the hotel, regardless of what time it is.

Sleeping Tips

When making a reservation, ask ahead of time to be placed in a room away from others. This may include requesting the top floor, away from the pool, ice or vending machines, and away from elevators, stairways or exterior doors. Sometimes, it can even include a room opposite of busy streets, such as interstates.

Take sleep aids like melatonin, valerian root, passion flower or combinations of homeopathic ingredients. Make sure to consult your physician before taking any of the mentioned sleep aids.

Drink hot tea. You could try chamomile or there is a good blend called Nighty Night Herbal Tea.

Keep the television and/or radio on. This can work if you’re alone, but not so great if traveling with a family. It might also cause you to become the noisy neighbor.

Keep the air conditioner/heat fan on continuously. When the room doesn’t have this function option, I go into a small panic.

Sleep with a pillow over your head. This can be an uncomfortable option and sometimes the pillow doesn’t stay on very long, depending on how much you move around.

Wear ear plugs. Wearing ear plugs can be uncomfortable, especially if you don’t wear them at home.

Call the front desk and politely ask for them to take action. In some instances, the first time the front desk contacts the room, it doesn’t always work. One time I had to make this call three times for the noisy neighbor to finally quiet down.

Ask to be moved to another room. This can be a pain because you have to pack all of your stuff up, but sometimes will result in a comp room.

Wear noise cancelling headphones (Bose). Once again, if you don’t practice this one at home, it can be an uncomfortable option.

Use a white noise machine. White noise machines provide background noise to help mask the troublesome outside noise. Some hotels will have these machines to lend out. When you call to make a reservation, be sure to check.