Hi all, my husband and I are doing the MyWay Europe (14 days) and I'm desperately trying to free up room in the suitcase!
Question: do the hotels that we will be staying in have blow-dryers in the rooms? I know we're staying at unique accommodations (and I don't expect all the conveniences of a Hilton or Holiday Inn...) but I just wondered if I can plan on using hotel blow-dryers or perhaps I should purchase a cheap one overseas and gift it to someone when we leave.
Any insight is appreciated!
I've had hair dryers in at least 80% of my tour hotels in the past several years, and therefore no longer carry one. But if you really need it every day, then carrying one or buying a cheap one in Paris are the safer bets. Chose the lightest unit possible, and preferably set up for travel, to handle a voltage range of 110-220 or 240.
Ditto Laura. Be aware that if you don't see a hair dryer in the bathroom, sometimes it's hidden somewhere in the bathroom, sometimes it's elsewhere in the room (like a desk drawer), and sometimes they have them at the front desk.
There are many stores in Paris that sell dryers, so you don't need to lug one from the US. If you do want to buy one here for the trip, be SURE it's dual voltage (110-220) and be SURE you flip it to the correct setting before turning it on (most dryers are not automatic, and must be set to the correct voltage to prevent short circuits and fires).
Since you know where you will be staying, why not email each one to ask? I have usually brought a dryer. One trip I decided not to. The first place we stayed didn't have one. It wasn't until later in the trip I learned that some places have them at the front desk and you have to ask. My last trip I brought a travel blow dryer since I knew one wouldn't be available for a place where we had a one week stay. It stopped working the first day. I had to go buy one. Of course I can't use it at home. I plan to bring my European dryer on my next trip and gift it to one of my German cousins, who I will be seeing at the end of the trip. If you must provide one I would recommend getting a folding travel dryer at home. It will cost less than any dryer you can get in Europe and you can use it while traveling domestically.
Thanks all! I think I'll wait until I get there and purchase one if the hotel doesn't have one (or one to borrow from the front desk). Unfortunately, my hair gets all kinds of crazy without one, so in a worst case scenario I can always wear a hat! :)
You may be able to also see bathroom pictures on trip advisor. This can show you what may be available. Although if it's hidden in a drawer this will be of no use. I bought an inexpensive, dual voltage dryer at Target, attached the plug adaptor and it worked great. One hotel didn't have dryers and the other one had horrible "tube" dryers so I was quite happy to have brought my own.
Leanne: Even if there's no hair dryer in the room, the hotel will have one (or more) at the front desk. I've never had a problem on any of the R. Steves tours I've been on. Leave the hair dryer home and you'll have room for those gifts or whatever in your suitcase! The hotels on R. Steves tours are no longer primitive - you can expect pretty nice places.
Leanne,
If your hair is unruly, do yourself a favor and take a lightweight dual voltage blow dryer with an adaptor that will fit European outlets. You can pick up a dual voltage blow dryer for less than $20 in the US. You will find that the blow dryers in hotels are very weak. I don't mind the extra weight in my suitcase. I also take a dual voltage flatiron when I travel.
Mary
I did this tour in May, 2013. All the hotels had hair dyers- easily found in the room. They don't have the wattage of American dryers, except the hotel in Lauterbrunnen. Maybe they keep the stronger ones at the desk. It's a great itinerary. Enjoy your trip!
If you really feel the need for a hairdryer (I do) I would purchase one in Europe, unless you can find one here that you are sure is the proper voltage, etc.... but just remember, if you don't have room for it in your suitcase when you leave, you won't have room for one you buy in Europe...you still have to fit it in your bag... traveling on the plane with a heavy bag is not the only issue...traveling in Europe with a heavy bag is the problem. Sometimes when I plan to purchase something when I get there the timing just doesn't work out and I spend half my time without the item. Electrical appliances can be difficult to find depending on where you are staying.
Thanks all for the great info!
One more question: what about iron/ironing boards? Do the hotels on the MyWay Europe 14 Day tour have them? I don't mean to sound high maintenance (I'm really not!) but there might be an occasion when it would be nice to get some wrinkles out (I normally like to "fluff" clothes in the dryer at home). Please don't judge me for asking!
I did the 14 day Family tour a few years AFO, every hotel has a hairdryer , either in room or at desk.
I never pack one , and have never not had a hotel supply one by asking , and I've logged a few hundred days in Europe easily. I stay in small places usually 2 stars ..so its not going to be a problem.
Hotels rarely supply an iron in room ,some will ahbe one you can use in laundry area.
I wouldn't worry about ironing things though, you would likely be only one worried about it.
Leanne,
I've never seen an iron or ironing board in any of the tour hotels I've stayed at. I'd suggest asking the front desk staff, as they may have one on the premises that you can use.
In lieu of an iron, consider packing a small (empty) spray bottle. It does take some planning, but you can spray, shake and hang something that is pretty wrinkled and it will come out OK. I am lazy and really, really, hate to iron and am ashamed to admit this is what I do at home. A lot of the kits with small travel sized containers will have a spray bottle included.
Hi Leanne,
I wouldn't worry too much about ironing your clothin, especially since you'll be wearing things at least 1-2times before having a chance to wash. Instead, I would think about bringing along a small bottle of Downy Wrinkle Releaser and a small bottle of Febreze (there are bottles that fit TSA requirements). Each evening I would take off my clothes and spray them with Febreze, then hang them up in the closet. I didn't have wrinkle release, but this worked fairly well for keeping them "fresh" and the dampness from the Febreze would help with the wrinkles. You obviously can do both if you'd like. Then, if I had to wear them again (before washing), they wouldn't smell too bad. You probably won't have tons of time in the a.m. for ironing (of course, you could do it before bed, I suppose).
Have fun on your trip!!
Leanne,
No judging - take what will make you feel comfortable. After multiple trips I've decided that from now on I'm taking my dual - voltage hot rollers. I may be wearing the same outfit every other day, but I'm tied of pictures with bad hair. We've always had hair dryers but sometimes it required contortions to actually use it. The good thing with the tours, you're moving on shortly with the hope if the present situation isn't working, the next one will. If you decide to go with the Downey spray idea, practice at home to get the hang of it.
Have fun!
Patty
Hi Leanne, I take a travel iron, blow dryer, and curling iron on my trips. All are lightweight and dual voltage so they just need adapter plugs. These items are part of my packing list and I work around them. I can wear the same clothes day after day but they have to be clean and start out wrinkle free! Most (not all) of the hotels have hair dryers but they are those hose models that don't work well. I'd rather just take the stuff rather than worry about it.
Thank you everyone for your helpful info!
