We’re all familiar with travel tips such as pack a flexible wardrobe, roll clothes, don’t fold – and stash your passport and other travel documents somewhere handy but safe.

But one hotel manager has curated a selection of must-dos that can help make a holiday really feel like a break.

Lachlan Walker is the regional general manager, Fiji and Pacific, IHG Hotels and Resorts, one of the Pacific Island holiday spot’s largest luxury resorts.

He has experienced thousands of guest stays each year, which means he and his team see first-hand what helps people switch into holiday mode faster – and what quietly derails it.

That gives Walker a clear idea of how Australians travel. He sees the good habits, the avoidable mistakes, and the small behaviours that instantly change the tone of a trip.

Rather than another generic packing list, he’s pulled together a selection of the small, practical travel habits that consistently make the biggest difference, whether you’re heading to Fiji or anywhere offshore.

Here are a few that could resonate:

Take a photo of your packed suitcase. If something goes wrong, it could be a lifesaver. Photo: Freepik

1. Pack your ‘first-hour kit’ in your carry-on

Swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, deodorant, phone charger. Most guests waste their first afternoon rummaging through luggage. Those who change immediately feel like their holiday starts the second they arrive, not three hours later.

2. Take a photo of your packed suitcase before you zip it

It sounds simple, but when guests can’t remember whether they packed something, or need to describe contents for insurance or lost luggage claims, that photo becomes gold.

3. Set your out-of-office a day earlier than your flight

The guests who arrive genuinely relaxed are the ones who mentally clock off before departure day. If you’re answering emails in the airport lounge, you’re already behind.

4. Unpack properly, even for three nights

Guests who live out of their suitcase never quite settle. Taking 10 minutes to hang clothes and clear surfaces makes even a short stay feel longer and calmer.

Don’t pack the schedule from dusk to dawn – some down time is crucial. Photo: Pexels

5. Leave space in your itinerary for boredom

The most consistent feedback from returning guests is that their favourite moments weren’t scheduled. A long breakfast. An unplanned swim. An afternoon that drifted. Overscheduling is the fastest way to come home needing another break.

6. Keep swimwear in a breathable pouch, not plastic

In tropical destinations especially, guests often struggle with damp clothes by mid-stay. A simple mesh or fabric pouch prevents musty smells and makes packing up easier.

7. Decide your digital boundary before you land

Not just “less phone time”, but something specific. No email after 4pm. No phone at breakfast. Guests who define a rule before arrival stick to it far more successfully.