That is according to Between Check-In and Lights Out, a report commissioned by Holiday Inn Express by IHG to better understand the evolving habits shaping the way Kiwis stay and travel.
The findings show that nearly nine in 10 (89%) of New Zealanders admit they do something to make themselves more comfortable as soon as they arrive at a hotel room.
Nearly two in five (39%) unpack immediately to settle in, while 34% adjust the room temperature and another 34% scout charging points before doing anything else.
More than a quarter (29%) immediately claim ‘their side’ of the bed – even when travelling alone – while almost one in three Gen Z and Millennial travellers (31%) jump straight onto the hotel bed to ‘test the bounce’ before unpacking.
More than one in five (21%) say they need a wind-down routine before bed, while 23% use deep breathing or meditation techniques to help switch off. Another 12% bring comfort items from home – whether it’s a blanket, eye mask or their own pillow.
When it comes to Gen Z travellers, 21% admit they check behind curtains, under beds or ensure wardrobe doors are closed before they can properly relax.
The research also highlights how particular Kiwis are about their sleep environment while travelling.
Half say silence is essential to getting a good night’s sleep away from home. Temperature control follows closely behind (44%), while 42% rely on blackout blinds to help them drift off.
Others have developed their own sleep hacks, with nearly one in five (18%) admitting they sleep with one foot outside the covers to regulate their temperature overnight.
Dean Jones, vice-president of commercial, East Asia & Pacific at IHG Hotels & Resorts, says the findings highlight how much travellers rely on small routines and familiar comforts to properly settle in when away from home.
‘Travel habits are constantly evolving. What we’re seeing is that people want stays to feel simpler, easier and more comfortable from the moment they check in,’ says Jones.
