Hotel or apartment changes what you pack
Short answer: With a washing machine, three sets last you a week. With only a sink, you need to pack for more days and hand wash the thin items along the way, while the bulky things stay home.
A washing machine changes everything
With access to a machine, you can get by with half the clothes you would otherwise pack. Pack for three days and wash halfway through, so the case fills up less and you carry less around. See bamboo clothing for women.
Without a machine, the thin items come along
If you can only hand wash, bring items that dry overnight rather than bulky pieces. Thick socks and thick knits do not work, because they simply do not have time to dry by the next day, no matter how warm the room is. See bamboo underwear for women.
Towels come with the hotel
At a hotel you do not need a towel, it is almost always included in the price. In an apartment it is often not included, and you find out only once you are standing under the shower. See bamboo towels.
A kitchen changes packing too
If the apartment has a kitchen, many people bring food from home instead of eating out every day. That means space for kitchen items in the case, something you never think about in a hotel room.
The size of the bathroom matters
A small hotel bathroom rarely has room to hang clothes to dry. An apartment often has a balcony or a drying rack, which makes the sink far more useful in practice.
The length of the stay decides the amount
The longer you stay, the more the washing option matters. For a weekend it makes no difference, but over two weeks it can decide whether the case still closes without a struggle.
Check the facilities before packing
A quick look at the accommodation description often reveals whether there is a machine, a drying rack, or a balcony. Those five minutes save you from guessing wrong and packing too much or too little.
Do not mix clean and dirty
Whether you stay in a hotel or an apartment, a separate bag for worn clothes helps. It makes it easier to keep track of what needs washing once you get home again.
In short
Check whether there is a washing machine before you pack. With a machine, half the amount is enough, without one the thin clothes need to come along, since they dry the fastest. A towel is rarely needed at a hotel, but often is in an apartment.
Frequently asked questions
What does a washing machine change about packing?
It halves it. With a machine, three sets last a week, since you can wash halfway through instead of packing enough for the whole stay in advance.
What can be washed in a sink?
Underwear, t-shirts, and thin socks. Bulky items do not dry overnight, so they should stay home if you only have sink access during the trip.
Should you bring a towel?
At a hotel, no. In an apartment or holiday house, always check whether one is included before you travel, so you do not end up with nothing to dry off with.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
