That first night in an unfamiliar hotel room always feels slightly unsettling. I learned this the hard way during my first business trip, when I stubbornly insisted on sleeping in complete darkness like I did at home. After stubbing my toe twice on the way to the bathroom and nearly knocking over a lamp, I finally surrendered and left the bathroom light on with the door slightly ajar. The soft glow transformed the entire experience.
Over years of traveling, I’ve discovered this simple trick offers more benefits than you might expect. That gentle light becomes your nighttime guide in foreign spaces, helping you navigate without painful collisions with furniture. It’s especially helpful when jet-lagged and disoriented at 3 AM. Parents traveling with children will appreciate how it provides comfort to little ones needing midnight bathroom trips without fully waking everyone up.
There are some trade-offs to consider. Light sleepers might find even dim illumination disruptive, and eco-conscious travelers may hesitate about the energy use. But with simple adjustments like bringing your own nightlight or partially closing the bathroom door, you can find the perfect balance of comfort and practicality for your next hotel stay.
