Using XPap at a hotel...

[Jaylee]

I cleaned hotel rooms 15 years ago and I never saw an XPap. I was wondering what I will need to use my BiPap at a hotel. I was thinking that I would need an extension cord just in case the outlet is too far away and putting my distilled water in a smaller water bottle instead of lugging the big jug around. We are going to be there for several days, so what should I do with the machine if I want the room cleaned? Do you hide it, repack it or just leave it out? Thanks.

[zoocrewphoto]

I put my machine in one of the drawers with a towel or clothing over it. I just want to make sure it is protected in case they spray anything. And it is less tempting if the person is dishonest. I've never had a problem with anything happening to any of my belongings though, and I have stayed at hotels almost monthly since 2008. The xpap is new this year. So, it is just a little new stuff added to the normal hotel routine.

I do take a small bottle of dawn with me so that I can clean my mask in the hotel room if I will be there more than one night. I carry my distilled water in a 1 liter bottle that is marked distilled.

[jacobsbd]

I spent a couple of months this summer in motels with my APAP. My suggestions:

Get a power strip (short with multiple plugs and an extention cord) many places hide the plugs or use all of them. You want to be able to unplug the alarm clock, plug both the clock and the cord leading to the xPAP into the power strip. The plugs you can get to are not always by the bed. Also a three prong to two prong adapter.

I used tap water with extra rinces of hot water when only staying one night and bought distilled when i was staying in one spot longer than that. I could not always bring distilled water with me and found that hotel people frequently dont even know what it is or have a clue where you can find it locally.

One thing I did do was make sure the tank was empty every morning. If there was any risk, I put the machine on the floor or in a drawer. I did not want them to knock it on the floor or move it (with water in it).

Some hotels would let you stop the maids and just tell them you wanted towels. The ones that bothered me the most were places where they required you to leave the room while it was being cleaned.

(many years ago I worked 2nd and 3rd shift and stayed at a hotel in Florida. I would get back to the room at 9 AM, they would clean the room between 9 and noon every morning. They told me I had to let them clean so they could confirm I had not trashed the room! nothing I said could change the policy)

I do not think it is likely to be stolen, but the really bad places i did not stay at more than one night.

If you have large amounts of room in your trunk, a small folding table or chair might be nice. The side tables can be poorly placed or the lights can be glued down. (have not seen that in the last few years however)

[zoocrewphoto]

I forgot to add that I place my machine on a crate. In my case, I travel with cats, so I put a cat carrier next to the bed, and place the machine on that. I would recommend taking something that allows you to put it next to the bed. Some of the night stands are too small or having something permanent on them. Or maybe the wrong side. So, you may not to bring your own options.

If you have nothing, a chair may work. Or you might be able to ask the hotel for a plain chair or something that will work.

[retrodave15]

I travel extensively for my job as a Trade-show manager. I am lucky that most of the hotels I stay in are connected to convention centers, Hyatts, Hiltons, Sheratons, I have never had a problem. I usually ask the front desk for several bottles of water to be placed in the room for my humidifier. I just toured the new Hilton that is under construction in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Each bedside table had an outlet, I assume for charging a mobile device, but will work quite nicely for an xPAP.

During the day I just put my machine in a drawer and go about my business.

[Xney]

If it's a short trip, you can use tap water and then wash the humidifer thoroughly when you get home. It does create sort of a funny water smell though.

I've usually just put mine on the nightstand next to the bed. As others have said, getting power is sometimes the most tricky - bring an extension cord.

The hardest part for me is sometimes getting a good hose position, because I route mine overhead. I usually wedge it between the backboard and the wall a bit.

[bailachel]

I travel extensively for work and stay in hotels. I leave my machine on the nightstand and cover it with a towel. I haven't had any problems yet. It is a very good idea to carry an extension cord and or power strip. I also carry some of those 3 M removable hooks so that I can hang my hose over my head. I used to worry that housekeeping or someone would say something about the hooks, but no one ever has. Of course i remove them before I leave.(except once when I forgot. oops)

[retrodave15]

I also carry some of those 3 M removable hooks so that I can hang my hose over my head. I used to worry that housekeeping or someone would say something about the hooks, but no one ever has. Of course i remove them before I leave.(except once when I forgot. oops)

I have noticed in some of the newly renovated or built hotels have wall finishes that are incompatible with the 3M hooks.

[bailachel]

I haven't had any trouble with wall finishes but have occasionally run into a problem with fabric headboards that extend quite far around.

Have you found something else to use when the wall surface is not compatible?