You’ve checked in, dropped your bags and now the real ritual begins.
New research from Holiday Inn Express by IHG reveals that 92 per cent of Australians admit to doing something specific to make themselves feel more comfortable the moment they arrive in a hotel room, suggesting most of us aren’t truly “checked in” until everything feels just right.
Adjusting the room temperature is the top settling-in move, followed by more than a quarter of travellers immediately claiming their side of the bed, even when travelling solo.
Close to one in four Gen Z and Millennial travellers go straight for the bounce test, jumping on the bed before they’ve even unpacked.
Others immediately scope out the best spots for charging their devices, rearrange the furniture or take a thorough inspection of the bathroom before doing anything else.
The research, part of a report called Between Check-In and Lights Out commissioned by Holiday Inn Express, sets out to understand the evolving comfort rituals Australians use to sleep better and wake easier when away from home.
What it found suggests we are a nation of highly particular sleepers the moment we step outside our own bedrooms.
The Pre-Snooze Ritual
Once the lights go out, things get even more specific. A huge 87 per cent of Australians rely on something to help them fall asleep in hotel rooms.
Nearly a third use a dedicated wind-down routine before bed, while more than a quarter turn to background noise including TV, music or white noise to drift off.
Eighteen per cent bring comfort items from home, whether that’s a blanket, eye mask or their own pillow.
Gen Z travellers are taking bedtime behaviour to another level entirely. More than a third practise deep breathing or meditation before sleep, while 24 per cent admit to checking behind curtains, under the bed and ensuring wardrobe doors are fully closed before they can properly relax.
One in five creates imaginary arguments in their head and wins them before drifting off, while 20 per cent are already mentally planning their breakfast buffet strategy before they’ve even closed their eyes.
The Pillow Problem
Nearly two-thirds of Australians admit to being fussy about their pillow set-up on the road.
Nearly one in three flip, fold and adjust pillows throughout the night in search of the perfect position, while 23 per cent stack multiple pillows before they’re satisfied.
For many travellers, getting the pillows right is less a preference and more a non-negotiable.
Positive psychology expert Dr Tim Sharp, also known as Dr Happy, said these habits were a completely normal human response to unfamiliar environments.
“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 Sharp 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.”
The Racing Mind
Even once the pillows are perfectly stacked and the temperature is dialled in, the mind often has other ideas entirely.
The research found 71 per cent of Australians experience racing thoughts while travelling, from tomorrow’s to-do list and work stress to money worries and the cost of breakfast.
For many, the challenge isn’t falling asleep so much as switching off in the first place.
Dean Jones, IHG Hotels and Resorts Vice President of Commercial East Asia and Pacific, said the findings reinforced how much travellers relied on small routines and familiar comforts to properly settle in.
“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,” Mr Jones 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.
“That’s something we think a lot about at Holiday Inn Express. The brand has always been built around simple, smart travel, giving guests the essentials they really value, done exceptionally well.”
So next time someone gives you a look for bringing your own pillow, rearranging the furniture or bouncing on the bed before unpacking, you can tell them science is firmly on your side.
Written by Luana Buchele Furtado.
