Living in hotels full time I get a lot of use out of the Do Not Disturb card hanging on the door. This little sign has been hanging around on hotel doors for more than 100 years. But it’s not the sign itself that makes for the best travel accessory.
While the nature of the DND is evolving in modern times, they remain popular with guests. Some collect as many as possible and one enthusiast even created a book about the DND sign.
It’s not just the signs that are a-changing. Hotel doors are now nearly universally equipped with card key readers and lever-style handles. Unlink a traditional round doorknob this can make it difficult for a DND sign to stay in place consistently.
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The DND Signs Are Constantly Falling Off
For most guests this is a very minor inconvenience. You put it on at night and then remove it when you go out in the morning. If it falls you pick it up.
But when you’re living in a room day in and day out, it’s often necessary to keep the DND hanging while you’re in and out of the room getting coffee, using the fitness center, or doing any number of things that don’t require leaving the room for a long time.
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If you’re opening and closing the door the DND is constantly falling to the floor and you find yourself picking it up about a dozen times a day.
The Best Travel Accessory: A Simple Magnetic Clip
I found these magnetic clips at a Dollar Tree where they came two to a package for $1.25. They won’t stick to the handle itself but most rooms have a steel door frame. If not, they’re strong enough to clip the sign to the handle itself as in the second photo. In most rooms the clip and sign can hang on the inside of the frame when not in use. These are light and small enough to carry in any luggage without taking up space or adding significant weight.
The clip is also great for posting a note to housekeeping when you’ve arranged a late check out with the front desk. The morning of check out is the time you’re most likely to be disturbed.
Why Isn’t a Magnet the Best Travel Accessory?
I was in New Orleans when I finally became fed up with picking up DND’s. The souvenir shops there are full of magnets, and I chose one designed to go on a fridge and double as a bottle opener, pictured above.
The idea of always having access to a bottle opener without carrying one specifically was very practical and appealing.
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Unfortunately I’m not the only one who thought so and this didn’t last a week before being stolen. If you’re going to adopt this technique a nondescript magnet is crucial with so many people passing through the halls.
If nothing else these clips are cheap enough to replace fairly often if necessary, making them one of the best travel accessories I’ve carried so far.
