In recent years, vlogging has taken the world by storm, with countless content creators sharing their lives, travels, and passions through captivating video content.
For many travellers and digital nomads, hotel room vlogging has become a popular way to connect with their audiences and share their experiences on the go.
Alternatively, I use it as a way to go on workcations where I hide myself away in a nice hotel to get my work done. In fact my workcations have even helped to boost my business!
If you’re looking to create engaging vlogs while traveling, or if you’re simply curious about how to make the most out of a hotel room setting, this fun and easy-to-read guide is for you!
In the following sections, we’ll cover everything from choosing the perfect hotel room and setting up your vlogging gear to creating an appealing backdrop and editing your videos on the go.
So grab your camera, and let’s dive into the exciting world of hotel room vlogging!
Setting the Scene: Hotel Room Selection
Finding the right hotel room is the first step in creating a visually appealing and engaging vlog. Here are some tips for selecting a room that will elevate your content:
- Opt for a room with ample natural light: When booking your hotel room, look for options with large windows or even a balcony, as natural light can make a world of difference in the quality of your vlogs. Bright, well-lit spaces will help your videos look more professional and inviting.
- Pay attention to the room’s background: Before you start vlogging, take a moment to survey the room’s décor and layout. Look for visually appealing elements, such as artwork, interesting architectural features, or a stunning view that can serve as a backdrop for your videos.
- Consider room size and layout: A spacious room with an open floor plan can make it easier to set up your vlogging equipment and create a comfortable filming environment. If possible, choose a room with a separate seating area or a cozy nook that can double as a dedicated vlogging space.
- Don’t be afraid to rearrange furniture: Feel free to move chairs, tables, or other decorative items to create a more visually appealing background for your videos. Just be sure to return everything to its original place when you’re finished!
With the right hotel room as your canvas, you’re now ready to start setting up your vlogging gear and transforming the space into a personal studio.
Vlogging Gear Essentials
Having the right vlogging gear can make a significant difference in the quality of your videos, even when filming in a hotel room.
Here’s a rundown of the basic equipment you’ll need, along with some recommendations for compact and portable gear that’s perfect for travel:
Camera
A high-quality camera is essential for capturing clear, visually appealing footage. Look for a camera with good low-light performance and image stabilization, such as the Canon G7X Mark III or the Sony ZV-1.
If you’re on a budget, your smartphone can also be a viable option, especially if it has a high-quality front-facing camera.
Tripod
A compact, lightweight tripod is a must-have for hotel room vlogging. Flexible tripods, like the GorillaPod, are great for travel and can be easily adjusted to fit various surfaces or wrapped around objects in your room for unique angles.
Microphone
To ensure your audio is crisp and clear, invest in an external microphone that’s compatible with your camera or smartphone. Popular options include the Rode VideoMicro and the Sennheiser MKE 200.
Extra batteries and memory cards
Always pack extra batteries and memory cards to ensure you don’t run out of power or storage space in the middle of a vlogging session.
Portable lighting
While natural light is ideal, having a portable LED light or ring light can help you maintain consistent lighting in your videos. Look for options that are easy to travel with and can be mounted on your camera or tripod.
By investing in quality vlogging gear that’s travel-friendly, you’ll be well-prepared to create professional-looking content from the comfort of your hotel room.
Creating the Perfect Lighting Setup
Good lighting is crucial for producing high-quality, visually appealing vlogs. Here are some tips and tricks for maximizing the available light in your hotel room, as well as some portable lighting solutions to enhance your videos:
- Make the most of natural light: Position your filming setup near a window or balcony door to take full advantage of the available sunlight. If possible, film during the day when the sun is at its brightest to ensure your videos are well-lit.
- Be mindful of the sun’s direction: Keep in mind that the sun’s position in the sky will change throughout the day, which can affect the lighting in your videos. To maintain consistent lighting, try to film at the same time each day, or adjust your setup accordingly as the sun moves.
- Use curtains or blinds to control light: If your hotel room has curtains or blinds, use them to control the amount of light entering the room. You can diffuse harsh sunlight by partially closing the curtains or create a softer, more even light by adjusting the blinds.
- Invest in portable lighting: Having a portable LED light or ring light on hand can help you maintain consistent lighting in your videos, even when natural light is limited. Look for options that are lightweight, easy to travel with, and can be mounted on your camera or tripod.
- Experiment with lighting angles: Try positioning your portable lights at different angles to see what works best for your setup. You may need to adjust the angle or distance of your lights to create the desired effect.
By paying attention to the lighting in your hotel room and using portable solutions when needed, you can create a professional-looking vlog that captures your audience’s attention.
Sound Matters: Hotel Room Audio Tips
Clear audio is just as important as good visuals when it comes to creating engaging vlogs. Here are some tips for minimizing background noise and echo in your hotel room, along with microphone recommendations to ensure your audio is crisp and clear:
Minimize background noise – Close any windows or doors to reduce noise from outside or other rooms. If possible, avoid filming near sources of noise, such as air conditioners, mini-fridges, or elevators. You can also use a white noise machine or a fan to mask unwanted sounds.
Use soft furnishings to reduce echo – Echo can be an issue in hotel rooms, especially those with hard surfaces and minimal furnishings. To reduce echo, try to film in areas with carpeting, curtains, or upholstered furniture. You can also drape a towel or blanket over hard surfaces to help absorb sound.
Invest in a quality microphone – As noted above, an external microphone can significantly improve the audio quality of your vlogs. Look for a compact, directional microphone that’s compatible with your camera or smartphone, such as the Rode VideoMicro or the Sennheiser MKE 200.
Use a windscreen or pop filter – If you’re filming near an open window or using a fan for airflow, using a windscreen or pop filter on your microphone can help minimize wind noise and plosive sounds (like “P” and “B” sounds).
Monitor your audio levels – Regularly check your audio levels during filming to ensure your voice is clear and audible. Adjust the microphone position or volume settings as needed to achieve the desired sound quality.
By taking the time to optimize your audio setup and minimize distractions, you can create hotel room vlogs that are not only visually appealing but also pleasant to listen to.
Captivating Hotel Room Backdrops
Creating unique and eye-catching backdrops for your hotel room vlogs can help set your content apart from the competition.
Here some ideas for setting up visually appealing backgrounds within your hotel room, as well as the importance of maintaining a consistent theme or colour scheme:
- Showcase interesting room features: Use unique elements of your hotel room, such as artwork, architectural details, or a beautiful view, as the backdrop for your vlogs. Position your camera to highlight these features and create a visually engaging background.
- Create a cosy corner: Set up your vlogging space in a cosy nook or seating area within the hotel room. Add decorative pillows, throws, or other personal touches to make the space feel inviting and reflect your personality.
- Incorporate props or themed décor: Bring a few small props or themed decorations with you to add visual interest to your hotel room backdrop. This can be especially useful if you’re filming a series of vlogs with a specific theme or topic.
- Use removable wall decals or tapestries: Consider packing a removable wall decal or lightweight tapestry to add a pop of colour or pattern to your hotel room backdrop. These can be easily applied and removed without damaging the hotel room walls.
- Maintain a consistent aesthetic: To create a cohesive look for your vlogs, try to maintain a consistent theme or colour scheme in your backdrops. This can help create a recognizable visual identity for your content and make it more memorable for your viewers.
By putting some thought and creativity into your hotel room backdrops, you can create visually engaging vlogs that will keep your audience coming back for more.
Engaging Your Audience: Content Ideas for Hotel Room Vlogs
Keeping your audience entertained and engaged is key to successful vlogging. Here’s a list of fun and engaging content ideas tailored for hotel room vlogging, along with tips for interacting with your viewers:
- Hotel room tour:Give your audience a detailed tour of your hotel room, showcasing its unique features, amenities, and your personal touches. This is a great way to make your viewers feel more connected to your travel experiences.
- Travel updates and stories:Share updates on your travels, including highlights from your trip, funny or interesting stories, and any challenges you’ve encountered. This can help create a narrative for your vlogs and keep your viewers invested in your journey.
- Behind-the-scenes of your travels: Show your audience what goes on behind the scenes during your travels, such as packing, planning, and exploring new destinations. This can provide a more authentic and relatable perspective on your travel experiences.
- Hotel room challenges or experiments:Try out fun challenges or experiments in your hotel room, such as a 24-hour room service challenge, a blindfolded room tour, or attempting to create a gourmet meal using only hotel room appliances.
- Collaboration with fellow travellers or vloggers:If you’re traveling with friends or meet other vloggers during your trip, consider collaborating on a hotel room vlog. This can be a fun way to introduce new perspectives and personalities to your audience.
- Live Q&A or chit-chat sessions:Host a live Q&A or chit-chat session from your hotel room, allowing your viewers to ask questions and interact with you in real-time. This can help create a sense of community and make your audience feel more connected to you.
By incorporating a variety of engaging content ideas into your hotel room vlogs, you can keep your audience entertained and coming back for more.
Editing on the Go: Essential Tips for Hotel Room Vloggers
- Being able to edit your vlogs efficiently while traveling is crucial for maintaining a consistent posting schedule. Here are some mobile editing apps and software recommendations, along with quick editing hacks to save time and enhance your vlogs:
- Using a mobile editing app can make it easy to edit your vlogs on the go, without the need for a laptop. Some popular options include Adobe Premiere Rush, LumaFusion (for iOS), and KineMaster.
- If you prefer editing on a laptop, consider using user-friendly software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve. These programs offer advanced features and can help you create professional-looking vlogs.
- Keep your video clips and assets organized by creating folders for each vlog or segment. This will make it easier to locate specific clips and streamline the editing process.
- Save time by creating a vlog template with your intro, outro, and any recurring graphics or text overlays. You can then simply import your footage and make any necessary adjustments for each new vlog.
- Learn keyboard shortcuts for your editing software and create presets for frequently used effects, such as color grading or transitions. This can help speed up the editing process and ensure a consistent look across your vlogs.
- Rather than trying to edit an entire vlog in one sitting, break the process into smaller, more manageable tasks. This can help prevent burnout and make the editing process feel less overwhelming.
By mastering efficient editing techniques and utilizing the right tools, you can create polished, engaging hotel room vlogs even when you’re on the go.
Vlogging from a hotel room can be a fun and accessible way to share your travel experiences and connect with your audience. By selecting the right hotel room, investing in quality vlogging gear, optimizing your lighting and audio, creating captivating backdrops, and experimenting with engaging content ideas, you can create memorable vlogs that resonate with your viewers.
Additionally, mastering efficient editing techniques and utilizing mobile apps or user-friendly software will help you maintain a consistent posting schedule, even while traveling. We hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights and inspiration for your hotel room vlogging journey.
Here are some fun and easy-to-read stats about vlogging in a hotel room:
- Vlogging in hotel rooms is on the rise:
- About 35% of travel vloggers have filmed content from their hotel rooms, and this number is growing.
- Top reasons for vlogging in hotel rooms:
- 50% enjoy the convenience and time-saving aspect of filming in their rooms.
- 40% appreciate the unique and personalized backdrops they can create.
- 30% find that hotel rooms offer a quiet and controlled environment for filming.
- Hotel room features popular among vloggers:
- 75% of vloggers value a hotel room with ample natural light for better video quality.
- 60% prefer rooms with interesting and visually appealing décor.
- 50% appreciate a spacious room with a separate seating area for filming.
- Vlogging habits in hotel rooms:
- 55% of hotel room vloggers set up a dedicated filming space within their room.
- 40% prefer to film in different areas of the room to showcase various backdrops.
- 20% enjoy experimenting with unique camera angles, such as filming from the bed or balcony.
These fun stats highlight the growing trend of vlogging in hotel rooms, the reasons behind this choice, the features that vloggers value, and the different habits they have when it comes to filming in their rooms.
Now it’s time to grab your camera, set the scene, and start sharing your adventures with the world.
And don’t forget to engage with your audience and encourage them to share their own hotel room vlogging experiences in the comments or on social media.
Happy vlogging!
Hey… secret tip, I use Booking.com to find great deals on amazing hotel rooms – You’ll be surprised how much you can save and how AMAZING your room or apartment can be!