If you travel a lot, you’ve probably seen some very strange hotel amenities. Surprises are plentiful in the world of hospitality around the world, whether it’s pillow menus or awkward-shaped soap.
But whatever their experience and efficacy, there is but one thing even the most experienced traveler can never quite get right: the hotel door latch cushion.
But at first this slubby little fabric-covered cushion really is nothing more than just that: a glorified afterthought. Others might jump immediately to soundproofing or light-blocking. Or perhaps you think it’s a protective sleeve for the door handle. And while those aren’t terrible theories, the truth is a bit simpler — it’s a bit more convenient!
What Is a Hotel Door Latch Cushion?
This hotel door latch Cushion is an accessory that serves to prevent your door from being closed or latched. Most are a loop of padded fabric with loops at each end. Here’s how it works: You tie one loop around your vehicle’s door handle on the inside and one loop around the door handle on the outside. So the cushion gets stuck in the door frame, un-lockable.
Why Would You Need One?
And you might ask: Why on Earth would you ever want to prevent a door from closing in the first place? Here are some ways you may find yourself grateful to have this little gizmo:
For Travelers Toting Luggage: When you’re rolling several pieces of luggage or a cart stacked high with bags, the last thing you need is the door continually closing on your tail. It then rests in the door jamb, ensuring the door will not completely close, so when you are going in and out it will not require you fiddle with your key card or deal with smashed fingers.
Team or group Travel : Enables people such as teammates, team members and family or friends to get in and Out without using the door key each time.
Hotel Staff Convenience: Housekeeping staff and maintenance staff can use these cushions to hold open doors when they are servicing or cleaning rooms — they won’t need to keep entering and exiting through the door.
Misconceptions About Its Purpose
A door latch cushion can easily be misunderstood. I mean, it looks a little like a noise dampener or a light blocker anyway. While it may be able to bring a few of these benefits to the periphery, that’s not what it’s for.
Another is that it’s a safety device or a security device. But it’s possible the door isn’t safe unlocked. This is a temporary substitute aid only in used, to assist us of our daily life,like to replace a hand when you move something at the room.
Just a Thank-You, but a Help Already
Door latch cushions are not a fixture of every hotel, certainly, but for those that have one, a small kindness of potential pass-through convenience is afforded. For those with heavy bags or children in tow this slim little kit might be a game changer. It’s a small thing, one of those signs of consideration for guest comfort.
So next time you’re unwinding at the hotel, and there is one of these pillows hanging on your door knob, at least now you’ll have an idea of what it exists for – and well, you could possibly even admire its structure unashamedly!
A double edge sword that is essentially a gimmick
Perhaps not the swankiest hotel amenity, but the hotel door latch cushion is certainly one of the most practical. It’s a niche tool, that solves a niche problem for those who need it, and if you’ve ever used it you may be impressed how you got by without.
So the next time you’re in a hotel, see if luck strikes and you are able to find this unassuming but super-handy gadget. It’s one of those little things that can make a stay a bit easier. And, let’s be honest — that is something that no one can really hate.
