avalon451
Errrr... what?
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2008
- Messages
- 4,248
I was just thinking about this: while DLR is the happiest place on earth, the hotels surrounding it may also be the noisiest place on earth. What do you get with people arriving at all hours, from all over the world, with super hyperactive and excited small children in tow? Well... you don't get a lot of sleep.
I'm a light sleeper at the best of times, but put me in a strange hotel with little kids running around overhead (why do kids' heels sound ten times harder than usual when they are in the room above you?
) and roller suitcases bumping along the walkways outside, and forget it.
I have found a few things that help me and my kids a lot, and I'm wondering if anybody else can contribute some ideas.
--White noise machines. Discovered 'em when my kids were babies, and I was amazed how much easier it was for them to drop off with a quiet background noise. I used them occasionally, too. You can download a free app on your phone, too.
-- Foam ear plugs. Good gravy, why didn't I discover these years ago? I started using them on our trip to England 2 years ago, and they helped me so much that I started using them all the time. Now I don't wake up when my hubby gets up at the ungodly hour that he has to for work, and I find I'm much more rested, because I'm not partially waking at every sound all night long. I have found that in hotels, I sleep much more soundly and comfortably when the unfamiliar noises start, and the rattling air conditioner kicks in. They are available at any drug store, in plastic jars. They do take a little getting used to, but once you've accustomed yourself they're quite comfortable. (I suppose I wouldn't use them if I was still listening for toddlers waking in the night, but my youngest is now 13, and they just barge in and shake me when they need me
)
--and, I always call the hotel as far ahead as I can, and sweetly request the top floor, so I don't have those tiny little heels (apparently wearing concrete slippers) pounding overhead! They can't guarantee your request, of course, but I've been able to get top floor more often than not.
-- nightlight. Even though the kids don't need it to keep away the monsters any more, it's nice to be able to navigate your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night without tripping the unfamiliar furniture. It's not exactly a noise reduction aid, but a comfort aid.
Any other suggestions out there?
I'm a light sleeper at the best of times, but put me in a strange hotel with little kids running around overhead (why do kids' heels sound ten times harder than usual when they are in the room above you?

I have found a few things that help me and my kids a lot, and I'm wondering if anybody else can contribute some ideas.
--White noise machines. Discovered 'em when my kids were babies, and I was amazed how much easier it was for them to drop off with a quiet background noise. I used them occasionally, too. You can download a free app on your phone, too.
-- Foam ear plugs. Good gravy, why didn't I discover these years ago? I started using them on our trip to England 2 years ago, and they helped me so much that I started using them all the time. Now I don't wake up when my hubby gets up at the ungodly hour that he has to for work, and I find I'm much more rested, because I'm not partially waking at every sound all night long. I have found that in hotels, I sleep much more soundly and comfortably when the unfamiliar noises start, and the rattling air conditioner kicks in. They are available at any drug store, in plastic jars. They do take a little getting used to, but once you've accustomed yourself they're quite comfortable. (I suppose I wouldn't use them if I was still listening for toddlers waking in the night, but my youngest is now 13, and they just barge in and shake me when they need me

--and, I always call the hotel as far ahead as I can, and sweetly request the top floor, so I don't have those tiny little heels (apparently wearing concrete slippers) pounding overhead! They can't guarantee your request, of course, but I've been able to get top floor more often than not.
-- nightlight. Even though the kids don't need it to keep away the monsters any more, it's nice to be able to navigate your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night without tripping the unfamiliar furniture. It's not exactly a noise reduction aid, but a comfort aid.
Any other suggestions out there?