Review: NapWrap Personal Travel Armrest

Stuck in the middle seat again? Or maybe you have the aisle and your elbow sneaks out into the walkway, putting it right in the way of the beverage cart – ouch! - or those on their way to or from the restroom. Seats on the plane seem to be getting smaller and smaller, so you have less and less room each time you travel. If you fly with a spouse or friend, it’s not a big deal if you invade each other’s space. If you’re flying alone or have that aisle seat issue, you probably feel like there’s no place to put your arms and you don’t have an armrest to yourself. You might want to cross your arms and take a nap, but when you fall asleep, they flop around, making you uncomfortable again.

photo courtesy of NapWrap

This was the problem that resulted in the NapWrap. It’s a convenient little wrap that helps to keep your arms crossed, without giving you achy joints, for as long as you need to. You don’t have to make the continual effort to keep your arms in position, plus the fabric is breathable, so it doesn’t make your arm or hand all sweaty. It’s also stretchy, which means people of all sizes can wear it and it fits over sleeves. Though it can be a little tricky to work at first, once you have the hang of it, it’s super easy to use. There’s this handy video to help.

Of course, I’m not one to buy something that has just one use, even though the NapWrap is very comfortable and does exactly what it’s meant to do, it isn’t just a cool arm holder that you twist your hand into. It can also be used as an armband that holds your phone or MP3 player, so you can listen to your music.

Another great thing you can use your NapWrap for is an eye mask. I usually pack one of those in my bag when I travel, because you never know if you will be sleeping in a room that has inadequate curtains (where you’re woken up at 5 am with light right in your eye) or you just need a little extra help falling and staying asleep. The NapWrap is adjustable and also covers your ears, muffling noises that might be keeping you awake as well.

And if your destination is cold, use it as a headband that covers and protects your ears. It’s way better than also packing a pair of earmuffs. Even if you carry more than one with you, they still pack flat and take up almost no room in your bag – less if you wear it on your arm as you are commuting through the airport.

So, if you have issues with sharing armrests with strangers, having a place to put your phone, sleeping when it’s not pitch black in your room or need to keep your ears warm, then the NapWrap should be on your list of must-have travel items. 

More information:

How big is it? One Size Fits All

Colors it comes in: The velcro closure comes in black, sky, carrot, lime

Where can you buy it? NapWrap website

How much is it? $20.00

Disclosure: I was provided with the NapWrap for the purpose of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

What’s the REAL Value of Your Hotel Room?

When you book a hotel room, do you look only at price? If you do, you could be losing value on your stay, especially if you are staying for more than a few days. The more things you can get included in your nightly rate, the better, especially if the price is still budget-friendly for you. I don’t book any hotel without free WiFi, but I also like to have a mini fridge – for leftovers, snacks and drinks – and a microwave if possible.

Having a restaurant on-site is great. If you’re only going to be in town for a couple days or you are spending your trip nearby, it is convenient to be able to just run downstairs and get a meal. It’s the next best thing to free breakfast, but it’s also perfect for a romantic getaway, because you don’t have to waste time searching for a good restaurant in the area. There’s one right out your front door. If you haven’t rented a car,  it can also save you money on transportation.

I love a boutique hotel. Often, they offer great rooms with unique or funky furnishings that have all the comforts you’re looking for away from home. Many will have their own restaurants, coffee counters, shops and other amenities that make staying in much easier, while also keeping more of your money in the hotel (read: in the community).

The Croft Hotel is one such hotel (find them at http://www.crofthotel.net/). It can be found in a very desirable – and quiet – neighborhood in Darlington, England. Set right near the river, on beautiful ground, and close to local attractions, the hotel has just 20 rooms, which means you’ll get the personalized service you want and deserve. Right outside your cozy room, you can pop into the gastro pub or the tea rooms on-site. Whether you’re in the mood for a light breakfast, afternoon tea, a fine dining experience or anything in between, you are covered. Get out for a bit of sightseeing in Richmondshire or get in a round of golf and come back to your lovely room to relax and change before dinner.

As you can see, a good location can also increase the value of your room cost, because it enables you to save transportation time and costs, so make sure you look at everything included in your room rate and think about how it can benefit you and save you time and money. If it doesn’t do either of those things, you’re paying for more than you should, so possibly look elsewhere.

What are your must-have amenities when you stay in a hotel?

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Review: Travel HoodiePillow

Sometimes you get on the airplane and you just want people to leave you alone. You don’t want to talk to your neighbor, you want to either listen to your iPod or play a game on your phone. We all feel like that at times, especially when traveling alone. I view my time on the plane as my time and I like to use it to read a book, do a crossword or write a blog post. In short, I like to focus on a “me” activity. I’m cool with talking to my seatmates, but I don’t want to chat with them for the whole flight usually. We’ve all had that chatty neighbor who wants to tell you their whole life story and doesn’t take the hint, even when you are clearly trying to take a nap or hide behind a magazine. HoodiePillow might just help get your point across, while also making you comfortable.

Photo courtesy of HoodiePillow

HoodiePillow combines your two favorite things: a soft, comfy hoodie and a neck pillow to help you sleep without waking up all stiff and achy. It features a drawstring, so you can pull it tight and block out light, or keep it loose, just so you can cover your head. It won’t get in your way if you want to use your big headphones and, since it’s only one piece, it’s easier to use and less cumbersome than a full hoodie and separate neck pillow.

Unlike many neck pillows, this one doesn’t take up a bunch of room in your bag, because it’s inflatable. You can adjust it to your own needs and it folds flat when you aren’t using it, making it a great space-friendly travel product. I often see people trying to attach their heavy, non-inflatable pillows to their bag in some way. They just get in the way and add weight to all the stuff you’re already carrying. I don’t need that.

Got a partner who likes to turn on the vent when you’re on the plane? I do, and even though it’s his vent that’s directed at him, it somehow either freezes my shoulder or blows right in one of my eyes. I don’t want him to be uncomfortable, but if my eyes are glued shut from having air blowing in them for hours, I’m going to be very cranky. This is another great solution for us. The HoodiePillow will protect my eyes and keep my head, ears, neck and shoulders warm when on those flights.

The HoodiePillow is a great gift for the teenager or college student who is never seen without a hoodie on. They can use this on the bus, on road trips, in hostels and plenty of other places.

It fits over anything you’re wearing, without getting all bulky like wearing a full hoodie over anything else, especially when a hoodie doesn’t work with your travel outfit – really, they don’t go with everything. Sleep easy on planes even in the daytime, because the HoodiePillow can block out the light. It also protects your head from nasty germs that might be on the airplane seat headrest. Getting sick right when you start your vacation is the pits. When you get home, or to your destination, the HoodiePillow is hand washable. Just let it air dry and it’s good to go next time you need it!

I used this on my flight back from Phoenix, but since I’d had a long two days and was dead tired, the second I put it on and leaned back on the plane, I immediately fell asleep, so you only get a picture of me trying it on in the terminal before take-off. I woke up refreshed and my neck didn’t hurt, so I call it a success! My husband wants one now and I know several people in my circle of friends and family who would love to get this as a gift. Got a student on your gift list? Perhaps they are taking their year off to go backpacking through Europe, or just going on vacation this summer with you or their family. They are going to adore you for buying this for them. In fact, you may find they rarely take it off. The material is super soft, so I can’t blame them.

More information:

How big is it? One Size Fits All, like your favorite hoodie and/or neck pillow

Colors it comes in: Fire Red | Black | Heather Gray | Ocean Blue | Lipstick Pink (shown)

Where can you buy it? Hoodie Pillow website or Amazon 

How much is it? $19.95.

Like the coolness of HoodiePillow? Follow them on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Pinterest

Disclosure: I was provided with the HoodiePillow for the purpose of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.