Survival Tips for Hotel Living

[nolypops83]

Those of you who spent 12 (ish) weeks in a hotel Monday to Friday on a trainee driver course (or similar)

What did you take with you that you couldn't have done without?
What do you wish you'd had that you didn't?
Did you meet up with your colleagues in the evening to go over the material?
Any other tips for surviving, other than don't eat a cooked breakfast every morning?

 

[Haru]

I took town pillow so I could sleep. Often not having your room cleaned everyday got you something extra.

Go for walks or use the gym to keep yourself fit, all the food and just sitting around adds up.

 

[The Middle]

If it is part of a rewards scheme i.e. IHG or Hilton Honors make sure you bag those points!

 

[Swall]

Meeting up in the evening will certainly help either revision and stuff but I’d also add to make time for you to switch off. My experience was at signalling school so we had plenty of time for sim practise before and after class so I found I used my time back at the hotel to relax and unwind. Granted we still did a few revision sessions but I think it’s important to switch off for abit too. I was in York in the summer so a pint along the river after an assessment was welcomed

 

[TheTallOne]

When I spent a few weeks in a hotel, with colleagues, we tended to go out for dinner every other evening.

The other evenings we had to ourselves. A sandwich or a pasta pot etc on a meal deal from one of the supermarkets (had a bigger lunch on those days instead).

Good to socialise, but good that we didn't do it every evening for numerous weeks!

 

[New York Giant]

Interesting thread. I was in a talent pool for a TOC that put trainees up in a hotel, but have since accepted an offer from another where I will commute to the training centre daily.

I'm still intruigued to know if partners are allowed to visit, or even stay over at the hotel (if their shift pattern or annual leave allows). Of course the visitor would take care not to abuse the trainee's meal allowance.

 

[Undiscovered]

Take gym and swim kit, even if it's to soak in the jacuzzi or do a bit on the rower.
Relaxed clothing, for mooching about in if you're not doing anything of an evening (trackie bottoms and baggy t-shirt).
A bottle of my usual concentrated squash, for drinks at work.
If lunch isn't provided, then quietly taking an extra yoghurt, muffin, piece of fruit etc at breakfast. If you're really sneaky, make up a sandwich too. As long as you're not too blatant, most hotel staff will let it slide.

 

[43066]

I was in York in the summer so a pint along the river after an assessment was welcomed

Just on this point, much as I’m sure many will enjoy a pint (or six!), just be mindful that the D&A policy is every bit as strict at the training school as anywhere else; I’ve known training school groups to be medscreened in the past, and a couple of examples of failures.

 

[SimplyLovely]

It’s a hotel, not the apocalypse so surviving won’t be hard.

I was happy with my ear plugs and my own coffee.

Lots of people say it’s inevitable that you will gain weight on the course but that’s nonsense, if you have no willpower you will, but I lost weight during my course by still eating sensibly.

We ate dinner together every night, but I had a good group and we genuinely got on really well, you may not what to hang out with your lot.

 

[nolypops83]

It’s a hotel, not the apocalypse so surviving won’t be hard.

I was happy with my ear plugs and my own coffee.

Lots of people say it’s inevitable that you will gain weight on the course but that’s nonsense, if you have no willpower you will, but I lost weight during my course by still eating sensibly.

We ate dinner together every night, but I had a good group and we genuinely got on really well, you may not what to hang out with your lot.

I guess you've never staying in a Travelodge then! The survival comment was tongue-in-cheek btw. I'm sure my lot will be a good bunch.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 May 2025 ==

I took town pillow so I could sleep. Often not having your room cleaned everyday got you something extra.

Go for walks or use the gym to keep yourself fit, all the food and just sitting around adds up.

I'm packing my gym kit for sure.

If it is part of a rewards scheme i.e. IHG or Hilton Honors make sure you bag those points!

Noted! Not sure what hotel yet, but I'll add this to my to do list.

Meeting up in the evening will certainly help either revision and stuff but I’d also add to make time for you to switch off. My experience was at signalling school so we had plenty of time for sim practise before and after class so I found I used my time back at the hotel to relax and unwind. Granted we still did a few revision sessions but I think it’s important to switch off for abit too. I was in York in the summer so a pint along the river after an assessment was welcomed

Good advice! I'm bringing my laptop and a book for entertainment. I've got so much Marvel and Star Wars content to catch up on, how does anyone have time to watch all this stuff?!

When I spent a few weeks in a hotel, with colleagues, we tended to go out for dinner every other evening.

The other evenings we had to ourselves. A sandwich or a pasta pot etc on a meal deal from one of the supermarkets (had a bigger lunch on those days instead).

Good to socialise, but good that we didn't do it every evening for numerous weeks!

Thanks. Definitely planning a few solo movie nights in my room.

Interesting thread. I was in a talent pool for a TOC that put trainees up in a hotel, but have since accepted an offer from another where I will commute to the training centre daily.

I'm still intruigued to know if partners are allowed to visit, or even stay over at the hotel (if their shift pattern or annual leave allows). Of course the visitor would take care not to abuse the trainee's meal allowance.

I'm not sure about that one. I imagine staying over would be fine as there's no extra cost for the room but they would have to pay for their own food and drink.

Take gym and swim kit, even if it's to soak in the jacuzzi or do a bit on the rower.
Relaxed clothing, for mooching about in if you're not doing anything of an evening (trackie bottoms and baggy t-shirt).
A bottle of my usual concentrated squash, for drinks at work.
If lunch isn't provided, then quietly taking an extra yoghurt, muffin, piece of fruit etc at breakfast. If you're really sneaky, make up a sandwich too. As long as you're not too blatant, most hotel staff will let it slide.

Added to my packing list. I use those concentrated squash bottles when I go camping, they are great.

 

[Ken X]

Having spent many, many weeks working away from home, the question of partners visiting is an interesting one.

We never did, and to be honest, we were too busy working to give proper attention to visitors. Even our boss rocking up changed the team dynamic and he was a rare visitor.

I asked OC Domestic what she thought and her comment was "You were there to work and the hotels were basic and in quiet locations so there was nothing to do. Best to wait until you grabbed a weekend off."

Thirty years later I suspect she was right. (again )

 

[SimplyLovely]

I’m sure it will depend on your manager but I imagine if they do allow it, and then later fail something they may look at it as you not fully focusing on the course.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 May 2025 ==

I guess you've never staying in a Travelodge then! The survival comment was tongue-in-cheek btw. I'm sure my lot will be a good bunch.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 May 2025 ==



I'm packing my gym kit for sure.



Noted! Not sure what hotel yet, but I'll add this to my to do list.



Good advice! I'm bringing my laptop and a book for entertainment. I've got so much Marvel and Star Wars content to catch up on, how does anyone have time to watch all this stuff?!



Thanks. Definitely planning a few solo movie nights in my room.



I'm not sure about that one. I imagine staying over would be fine as there's no extra cost for the room but they would have to pay for their own food and drink.



Added to my packing list. I use those concentrated squash bottles when I go camping, they are great.

Yeah I thought you were exegerrating for dramatic offence!

In all seriousness though, I tip I would say is once you find out where you are staying, be the first to call and ask for a quiet room. You’ll need your sleep!

Hopefully you’ll get good hotel staff, our hotel wasn’t great but the staff were fantastic which helped as they did everything they could to make things easier for us.

 

[Swall]

Just on this point, much as I’m sure many will enjoy a pint (or six!), just be mindful that the D&A policy is every bit as strict at the training school as anywhere else; I’ve known training school groups to be medscreened in the past, and a couple of examples of failures.

Agreed and a good reminder to everyone. No one took the Micky on my course but I do know of another group in a different hotel who caused abit of a stir back at their hotel who then tipped off the training centre the following morning.

 

[nolypops83]

Just on this point, much as I’m sure many will enjoy a pint (or six!), just be mindful that the D&A policy is every bit as strict at the training school as anywhere else; I’ve known training school groups to be medscreened in the past, and a couple of examples of failures.

I assumed as much, but helpful to know. I'm not a big drinker, one glass of wine and I'm asleep the days.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 May 2025 ==

Agreed and a good reminder to everyone. No one took the Micky on my course but I do know of another group in a different hotel who caused abit of a stir back at their hotel who then tipped off the training centre the following morning.

Yikes! That's one way to make an impression.

 

[HeelBurton]

Having stayed at a few over my career for long periods for traction training and other courses.

Keep yourself fit if possible. Hotel or local gym. Have a few walking routes around.

Find good places to eat

Use time for revision within groups etc. Away from the hotel is better, perhaps local libraries or parks etc

Attempt to resist drinking in the hotel. You may be able to handle your drink, but if there’s someone in a cohort or training course that does not, you do represent a company, and this will get fed back (I’ve seen it both sides, having sat on the traincrew and “manager” side of the fence)

Ensure if you stay at a hotel you are not late for any learning sessions. This is extremely bad practise.

Check the hotel’s visitor policy before inviting partners etc over, for obvious reasons.

If you have any days off but still lodging, get out the area and do something fresh. This is great for the mind and body.

the novelty soon wears thin regarding having your room cleaned everyday!

 

[Stigy]

Those of you who spent 12 (ish) weeks in a hotel Monday to Friday on a trainee driver course (or similar)

What did you take with you that you couldn't have done without?
What do you wish you'd had that you didn't?
Did you meet up with your colleagues in the evening to go over the material?
Any other tips for surviving, other than don't eat a cooked breakfast every morning?

I loved the hotel lifestyle

I travelled fairly light to be honest. You don’t need to take anything more than your work clothes/kit for the week, the usually toiletries etc. I asked for a mini-fridge in my room. Some hotels have these as standard, but if they don’t, they’re usually good at supplying them on request. These are handy for if you want to store bottled water or other drinks (a sneaky beer maybe). The same is usually applicable for irons. I was all eager and stuff at the time so did use an iron to prepare my work polo shirts etc then hung them up. Not necessary with polo shirts really, but if you have to wear proper shirts, obviously there’s more of a need.

Being in a hotel well definitely benefit you for revision, especially if you have children at home. I went out most evenings although I was the only person on my course in a hotel. I shared my room some nights with a mate who wasn’t entitled to a hotel due to distances, but still lived quite a way away. This helped us both as it can get lonely so just winding down is a lot easier when there’s not just you by yourself.

If you really get homesick, and depending on exactly how far you live from the hotel and what time your course finishes, you may be able to “pop” home to see the kids/wife and still go back that evening for sleep.

The breakfast is a good point. The fry ups are nice, but sometimes you need to take a long hard look at yourself . I say they’re nice, but I certainly wouldn’t have been happy if I was paying for them….Kept under lights etc and not generally cooked to order. And that was usually at a Hilton so decent chain.

I find rolling my clothes up when packing them saves space and the general need to iron.

Good luck!

 

[Harpo]

I find rolling my clothes up when packing them saves space and the general need to iron.

Take a couple of wire clothes hangers along. Hang anything crumpled or creased in a steamy bathroom or shower area to drop out creases.

My top tip on courses with meals provided was only eat twice a day and only go around buffets once. Unless you’re seriously under weight of course.

 

[alxndr]

Take an extension lead, hotels rarely have enough sockets where you need them.

Your own coffee too, as it's generally naff and if you're not getting the room cleaned everyday you'll run out anyway.

 

[Stigy]

Take an extension lead, hotels rarely have enough sockets where you need them.

Your own coffee too, as it's generally naff and if you're not getting the room cleaned everyday you'll run out anyway.

Although if it’s naff it’s naff, if you run out, they’ll always give you more if you ask.

 

[TheAnswer89]

You will be going home for the weekends, so dont overthink this. Take it as it comes.