I crawled into bed, and slept soundly till the alarm went off a couple hours later.  When I awoke, even though it was mid-day at my location, the room was still dark.  I could easily have gone back to sleep, were it not for commitments requiring me to get up and get moving.

As I got up and got going, I discovered the reason the room was still dark — a drape clip, holding together the drapes on both sets of windows.  It kept the room dark when I needed it to be dark.  Wow! 

What is it?  It’s a . . well. . . it’s a drape clip.  A simple plastic clip that’s big enough to hold together the heavy, room darkening drapes on the windows.  This is now my favorite room amenity.

What’s the big deal?  If you’ve ever tried to sleep, but couldn’t because the drapes didn’t fit together exactly right, and a stream of light kept hitting you right in the eyes (as in the gap shown in the photo) well, then, you know why I was so excited at this discovery.  I know that some travelers always pack a clothes pin for just this situation, but I didn’t know that you could buy clothes pins anymore?

I’ve seen a lot of hotel rooms, and I’m pretty blase about most amenities (there’s a topic for another post), but I am thrilled to pieces with this hotel, and its simple little drape clip.

Photo credit:  flickr

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Marriott International is the latest hotel chain to switch to a smoke free environment in all guest rooms and common areas.

Responding to guests who complain about the lingering smell of smoke in the room, the policy goes into effect in September and will apply to all hotels with the Marriott brand (Marriott, Ritz Carlton, Renaissance, Courtyard, and Fairfield Inn).

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Unfortunately, delays are an inevitable part of travel.  Whatever the reason (mechanical, weather, ATC holds, etc.), it means extra time spent at an airport.  Rarely is than fun or relaxing.

Since delays are going to happen, however, it’s always preferable to be at an airport with amenities to help make your wait as pain-free as possible.  Even better, if a bad situation can be made a little bit more enjoyable.

What makes delay time more enjoyable is, of course, a personal decision.  In serious delays (translation:  lengthy), however, people frequently want a place to stretch out and rest, maybe even to sleep.

One a recent layover in Vancouver, I had a chance to check out the MetroNaps Pods.

The space age looking pods are located near Gate 82 on the concourse for U.S. departures.

The pods are sitting out on the concourse, in plain view, but when in use, they are partially enclosed to allow for privacy without inducing claustrophobia.  The enclosure keeps the user visually removed from the public.  Noise canceling headphones keep the user removed from the noise of the airport.  Attendants are available to keep bags secure.

The cost is quite reasonably priced at $15 (Canadian dollars) for up to two hours.

If you’re delayed at the Vancouver airport (YVR), give the pods a try.  They may be your sanctuary in the eye of a storm.

Photo credit:  MetroNaps

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

I didn’t give it a second thought at the time, because it didn’t seem particularly different, or even interesting.  Over the years, I’ve seen all sorts of sleep masks:  simple, tasteful black ones, vibrantly colored and patterned designer ones, and everything in between.

Although I have a simple sleep mask, I’ve never used it.  It seems that I can sleep under most any conditions.  But those people who require darkness to sleep absolutely swear by a sleep mask and always travel with one.

On a recent flight I saw someone using a sort of unusual looking sleep mask.  Although it was much smaller, and lighter weight, it almost gave the appearance of a divers mask.  When the passenger woke up, I asked him about them.  Turns out it was Lights Out.

He said that he had an important meeting, and needed to get some rest and quiet time, although not necessarily sleep.  When he first put them on, the molded nature of the mask took a bit of getting used to, but he said that within minutes he didn’t remember a thing ““ having lapsed into a nice little nap.  His comments were enough to make me check them out.

Turns out that the Light Out Sleep Mask was designed to promote REM (Rapid Eye Movement), the necessary part of the deep sleep cycle.  They sell for $9.95, and you can check them out here.  And, of course, they can be used many other places besides on an airplane.

I don’t know that I’m ready to spring for a pair, but if I was traveling to a time zone with more than a 4-5 hours difference, I might consider it.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Because my job frequently has me flying when other people are sleeping, and vice versa, I have come to rely on the recuperative powers of a nap.  It is an integral part of my day to day travel experiences.   A nap refreshes me, calms me, gives me energy. 

I rarely plan when I’m going to take a nap, much preferring just to let the mood come upon me.  Now, however, there is all sorts of talk about a new kind of nap:  the planned, strategic nap. 

In napping, as in life, it appears that planning and timing are everything, and napping is now a part of a learned skill set.  Us nappers are apparently in very good company, as there are some very famous and productive nappers:  Winston Churchill, Salvador Dali, and Thomas Edison.

Check out the information provided by British Airways and see if there is something that can help you on your next journey.

My favorite napping advice: Napping in the middle of the day is not a sign of laziness; it is merely the following of a sleep management strategy.  Now, if I can just learn to nap like my cat, life will be good.

Via Lifehacker

Post from: Fly Away Cafe