Good news for those of you planning holiday travel: Hotels across the country are becoming more allergy-aware and making efforts to accommodate guests with respiratory conditions.
From easy-to-clean blinds that replace dust-collecting draperies, to low-odor cleaning products or certified allergy-friendly rooms, hotels offer more and more choices for a healthy and comfortable night’s sleep. Here are some simple ways you can plan ahead to make your hotel stay a bit more like home.
Choose a pet- and smoke-free hotel. Your best option is to choose a hotel that does not allow either pets or smoking on the entire property. Restricting them to particular guest rooms or floors may not be enough for someone with allergies, as the allergens and irritants can linger in common areas and be carried into rooms. Also, when smoking or pets are allowed somewhere on the premises, it’s easier for guests to violate restricted areas.
Inquire about room furnishings. Soft materials trap allergens like dust, pollen and dander. A room with hard floors and furniture as well as minimal drapery and pillows should be more comfortable for someone with allergies or asthma.
Reserve a room away from indoor and outdoor pools. Chlorine and other pool chemicals can often be irritating to people with allergies and asthma. Just like smoke, chemical vapors can travel under doors and through ventilation shafts. Request a room that is as far removed from the hotel pool as possible, preferably on a different floor.
Ask not to be placed near the elevator. More foot traffic brings more allergens to your doorstep. Select a room that is toward the end of a hallway where other guests are less likely to pass by.
Check for mold, which may be found in even the most pristine hotels. Look in the bathroom, under sinks and around the windows to see if there is any mold visible. If you find mold, ask to be moved to a different room.
Bring your own encasements. Hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers are tightly woven to prevent dust mites and allergens from passing through. If these are not provided by the hotel, bring your own with you when you travel.
If feasible, you might also bring a portable HEPA air-filter to remove allergens from the air. Otherwise, request that the air filter in your room be replaced prior to your arrival.
Request that the housekeeping staff not use scented cleaning products, which can aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms. Many hotels have become aware of these sensitivities so don’t be shy about asking!
If available, choose an allergy-friendly room. PURE Rooms provide an ideal environment for people with asthma or allergies. These rooms are specially treated to remove and protect against 98-100% of allergens and other irritants.
810304 Eaton Place, Suite 100