Perth, May 20: Australian travellers are bringing highly specific comfort rituals into hotel rooms, with new research showing many guests are particular about everything from pillows and room temperature to bedtime routines.
The Between Check-In and Lights Out report, commissioned by Holiday Inn Express by IHG, found 92 per cent of Australians do something to make themselves more comfortable as soon as they arrive in a hotel room.
Adjusting the room temperature was the most common settling-in ritual, while more than a quarter of travellers immediately claimed “their side” of the bed, even when travelling solo.
Close to one in four Gen Z and millennial travellers said they jumped straight onto the bed to “test the bounce” before unpacking.
The research also found 87 per cent of Australians rely on something to help them fall asleep in hotel rooms, with 31 per cent needing a wind-down routine before bed.
Others use background noise such as television, music or white noise, while 18 per cent bring comfort items from home, including blankets, eye masks or their own pillow.
Gen Z travellers reported some of the most unusual bedtime habits, with 35 per cent turning to deep breathing or meditation before sleep.
Others said they checked behind curtains, under beds and inside wardrobes before relaxing, while one in five admitted to creating imaginary arguments in their head and winning them before falling asleep.
The study also found 63 per cent of Australians are fussy about their pillow set-up while travelling, with many flipping, folding or stacking pillows throughout the night to find the right sleeping position.
“When we travel, we’re stepping into an unfamiliar environment, and that can create a level of discomfort even if we’re excited to be there,” Dr Tim Sharp, also known as Dr Happy, said.
“These small rituals, whether it’s bringing your own pillow, playing familiar sounds, or setting up the room in a certain way, help recreate a sense of familiarity and control. And that’s what allows us to properly switch off, relax and ultimately feel happier.
“What might look like ‘high-maintenance’ behaviour is actually a very normal human response. We’re wired to seek comfort, and these habits are a simple way of achieving that when we’re away from home.”
Holiday Inn Express by IHG said the findings showed travellers increasingly valued simple comforts and familiar routines when staying away from home.
“Travel habits are constantly evolving, and what we’re seeing more and more is that people want stays to feel simpler, easier and more comfortable from the moment they check in,” Dean Jones, Vice President of Commercial, East Asia & Pacific at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said.
“Whether it’s sleeping with blackout blinds closed, watching a familiar show, or knowing breakfast is sorted in the morning, those small rituals can have a big impact on how quickly people relax and feel at ease when travelling.”
The report also found 71 per cent of Australians experience racing thoughts while travelling, including worries about work, money, the next day’s plans and even the cost of breakfast.
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