Blackout curtains in hotel rooms: love them or hate them?
Oct 5, 2007, 7:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: AA Exec Plat, United Plat
Posts: 451
Blackout curtains in hotel rooms: love them or hate them?
Generally, I hate them. I like to wake up to natural light, especially if I need to adjust to a different time zone. I get confused if my alarm goes off in the morning and the room is pitch black like it's the middle of the night. 
But I figure someone must love those things since 1) so many hotels have them and 2) so many hotels have housekeeping close them up tight during turndown service. Anyone?
But I figure someone must love those things since 1) so many hotels have them and 2) so many hotels have housekeeping close them up tight during turndown service. Anyone?
Oct 5, 2007, 7:53 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Central Texas
Programs: Many, slipping beneath the horizon
Posts: 9,859
I love'em. Unfortaunately, however, I stay in too many caravansarai of the sort found at grubby oases, the sort with loud heat pumps under the window and curtains which only come down to the sill. Come "Dawn's Early Light", and the sun crawls into the room under the curtains, plumb shocking after a long day or a short night.
Now, a "Real" 5 Star Inn ought to have really good Black-Out drapes connected to the alarm which would open an inch a minute at a pre-selected time, backed up by classical music and the seductively warm rich pre-recorded voice of young woman saying: "Come on, Tom, I want you now!" to pull me from the warm embrace of sleep.....
Oct 5, 2007, 8:06 am
#8
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Milton, GA USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Radisson Elite
Posts: 19,040
I love them... if I want the light, I can leave them open a bit.
Oct 5, 2007, 8:11 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,233
Oct 5, 2007, 8:11 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: AA Exec Plat, United Plat
Posts: 451
See my original post - housekeeping comes in while I'm gone and closes them during turndown service. When I get to my room at 11pm, I don't always remember to check if the curtains are closed because I don't notice the lack of natural light at 11pm....
According to moi, the default should be curtains open - all you blackout lovers can close them yourselves!
According to moi, the default should be curtains open - all you blackout lovers can close them yourselves!
Oct 5, 2007, 9:29 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
See my original post - housekeeping comes in while I'm gone and closes them during turndown service. When I get to my room at 11pm, I don't always remember to check if the curtains are closed because I don't notice the lack of natural light at 11pm.... According to moi, the default should be curtains open - all you blackout lovers can close them yourselves!
MisterNice
Oct 5, 2007, 9:37 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,763
I prefer sheer curtains (though that doens't mean the blackout can't be an option). I like to wake up with natural light. I've lived in apartments for years without installing curtains, as long as privacy isn't an issue.
Oct 5, 2007, 9:48 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Somewhere between here and there...
Programs: WWF, Appalachian Mountain Club
Posts: 11,595