I have long, thick hair and also cannot stand those wall-mount hairdryers because they don't do the job. But I've found that hotels I've been to that have those generally also have a regular long-barrel hairdryer available from housekeeping - I just have to call for it (I suppose their main purpose in having them is if the in-room dryer breaks). Places without dryers in the rooms (only discovered these when I had to stay in some tiny towns while doing a long-distance bike ride) also usually have them at the front desk or from housekeeping. The other thing I've been able to get from housekeeping when abroad is a plug/voltage converter for my straight iron.