Travel + Leisure caught up with Amanda Batula, the fan-favorite Summer House star, to chat about her tried-and-true travel essentials. After nine seasons on Bravo’s hit reality series, Batula has become a pro at her weekly commute between the Hamptons and New York City. Naturally, we were curious: What are her go-to travel hacks?
Batula compares the experience of filming the show to the ultimate spring break for adults, joking, “Filming Summer House is like going to a summer camp for grown-ups.” However, packing for her NYC-to-Hamptons weekend trips can be a bit of a hassle. That’s why she swears by certain products that keep her organized, stylish, and comfortable — whether she’s gearing up for a party-filled Hamptons weekend or just some downtime with her dogs. Keep reading to find Batula’s top picks for weekend escapes.
Away The Insider Packing Cubes
Away Travel
“Packing cubes are such an essential for me. I can be a messy disaster, so these keep me organized,” Batula admits. “Plus, when you’re juggling your own stuff and packing for pets, it’s a lifesaver. I love how they help prevent overpacking.” These packing cubes are essential for seasoned travelers who want to skip the hassle of digging through their suitcases to find one item. Made from water-repellent nylon, they also help protect your clothes from unexpected spills or leaks. And with a variety of colors to choose from, they’re as stylish as they are functional.
Stony Clover Travel Large Pouch
Stoney Clover
Stoney Clover Lane’s pouches are Batula’s favorite for small essentials. Whether it’s toiletries, makeup, or charging cables, the labeled pouches keep everything in place and easy to grab on the go. This versatile bag also makes a thoughtful gift for any traveler, offering enough space to fit hair tools, toiletries, medication, and more. With this pouch in your bag, you’ll stay organized and put together for your next trip.
Béis The Weekender
Beis Travel
“I’m obsessed with the Béis Weekender. It’s one of my favorite things,” Batula shares. This bag is perfect for shorter trips like spring break or weekend getaways, offering a sleek, stylish design that any traveler will love. Batula swears by its unique features, including a separate bottom compartment for shoes, toiletries, or other essentials to keep everything organized and easily accessible. For those looking to travel in both comfort and style, the Béis Weekender is a must-have.
Béis The Carry-on Roller
Beis Travel
Batula is all about matching luggage, and the Béis Carry-on Roller is her top pick for sleek, coordinated travel. “There’s nothing better than traveling with all your luggage matching,” she says. “It makes me feel like such an adult.” Batula isn’t its only fan — nearly 16,000 five-star reviews are raving about the bag. One shopper remarked that “the real star is the cushion grip on the handle,” while another reviewer mentioned that they “love how light and smooth it is.”
Set Active Classic Zip Hoodie
Set Active
“I’m a sweats girl,” Batula shared. “I love being as comfortable as possible. If I’m in the car and it’s acceptable, I will travel in pajamas. A lot of the time, it’s a matching sweat set,” like this one from Set Active. We couldn’t agree more — comfort is essential when traveling, especially if you’re catching an early flight or spending hours on the road. Zip-ups, in particular, are a must because they’re easy to layer over a T-shirt, making them perfect for unpredictable weather.
Set Active Classic Sweatpants
Set Active
Batula loves to layer up for comfort, usually pairing these Set Active sweatpants with a cozy hoodie. “I’ll be in head-to-toe comfort mode — socks, Uggs, sweats — layered up and ready for whatever the weather might be on the plane. So, I’m a super comfy traveler.” These matching sweatpants are a “chef’s kiss” with the zip-up, so you can wear them as a set or separately.
Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler
Amazon
When asked how she prepares during the week before a weekend of filming, Batula said she relies on her Stanley. “I’m the worst at staying hydrated, but I’m working on it,” she said with a laugh. “I love my big Stanley cup.” It’s great for long car rides or days by the pool because it holds so much water, and the handle makes it easy to carry around. It’s also the No. 1 best-seller in tumblers and water glasses at Amazon, so get your hydration fill now.
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original Patch
Amazon
Another product she uses during the week is the Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original Patches. “With all the stress and drama that comes with filming Summer House, I’m normally covering my face in pimple patches to get my skin under control,” she said. “Pimple patches are a necessity — especially when you have to be camera-ready every weekend.”
One of Batula’s goals for this year is to explore more pet-friendly destinations with her dogs. “My dogs are my children, and it makes me sad every time we leave them to travel. So, I would love to look for more pet-friendly getaways, whether it’s somewhere local or a couple hours away.”
Wellness Whimzees Brushzees Dog Dental Treats
Amazon
“I love packing their Wellness Whimzees Dental Treats. I give them one every single night after dinner to keep their breath nice and fresh, clean of tartar and plaque, especially because 80 percent of dogs, especially small breeds, are prone to dental disease,” Batula shared. “I don’t want these guys losing all their teeth at a young age, so their dental health is super important to me. So we bring them everywhere we go.”
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