While going through security at the airport last week I was asked by the woman me behind me if there is such a thing as “hotel feng shui.” She said that she travels often for work and although she has applied many of the feng shui suggestions I have given for the home, was there something she could do when she was away from home and staying in a hotel?
The answer is yes! Creating a home sanctuary in your hotel room that allows for an easy flow of positive energy is easier than you may think. Applying feng shui principles to a hotel room is simple. If you travel, here are some basic guidelines that you can use when you go on your next trip.
What to bring
Pack a few framed photos of your family, pets, and loved ones; some scarves; a few tea lights or travel candles; your favorite music on a CD or iPod, and some lavender soap.
When you first arrive
- If you notice any unpleasant odors when you walk in, do not hesitate to request another room. Smoke, old food smells, backed-up sewer smells, and so forth, will linger no matter how much you change the visual appearance of the room.
- Open all the windows to exchange the existing air with fresh air. This will remove anything left over by a previous occupant.
- Light some candles to clear the atmosphere of anything that isn’t serving your needs.
- Place the photos you brought with you on the nightstand or place them around the room to keep your energy connected to your loved ones and to give your room a homier feel.
- Make sure you unpack fully and put your clothes in the closet or in the dresser drawers immediately. Don’t live out of your suitcase, even if you are there for only one night. It is unsettling.
- Take a hot shower, being aware that the movement of the water is helping to “cleanse” and promote the flow of good energy into your hotel room. Use your lavender soap, which will help you let go of the traveling stress and tension.
When you leave the room
- Many hotel rooms have large windows that let in a lot of light. They also have large mirrors over the dressers to reflect the sun and make the room look bigger. These features create a lot of “yang” energy, which is great for stimulation, but not for sleeping. When you are away, pull the shades and darken the room to prepare it for “sleep.”
- Keep the bathroom door closed so as hold in the “good energy” you created in the room.
While you are in the room
- Burn the candles when you are relaxing in the room at the end of the day.
- Play the music that you brought.
- Cover the large mirrors and the TV with a scarf before you sleep to calm the energy even further.
The next time you travel, apply some of these basic guidelines and notice the positive shift in energy that you can create by just doing a few simple things.
While we all know that there is nowhere like home, by making the effort to create the best possible energy at your temporary home away from home, you will create a better template of energy to support you while you are there.
Alice Inoue is a life guide that uses the modalities of feng shui, astrology and spirituality in her work. Her offerings include award-winning, mind-body-spirit themed books, as well as a series of feng shui instructional DVD’s.