Some travelers feel uneasy in hotel rooms, fearing that an intruder might hide in places like the wardrobe or under the bed. Based on her experience in hundreds of hotels worldwide, Esther, a flight attendant for European airline KLM, has shared some valuable “hotel hacks” for staying safe.
Esther’s clever tip for checking under the bed without looking directly is to “toss a bottle underneath it.” If the bottle rolls out on the other side, the coast is clear. However, if it doesn’t, there might be someone hiding underneath. Kat Kamali, an American flight attendant, also advises travelers to thoroughly check their room upon arrival, including behind curtains and under beds, and avoid mentioning room numbers out loud.
Another flight attendant, Nassim, emphasized safety checks from her personal experience. She recommends keeping the door propped open with luggage upon entry and inspecting every area, including the bathroom, wardrobes, and under the table. In hotels without door chains, she advises placing a suitcase by the door to alert you if anyone attempts to enter.
Esther also shared additional hotel tips for a smoother stay. To avoid toothbrush contamination, use a cardboard cup turned upside down, poking your toothbrush through it. For wrinkled clothes, hang them in the bathroom while showering to let steam smooth them out. If the mirror fogs up, use a blow dryer to clear it quickly. Need a makeshift speaker? Just place your phone in a mug for louder sound.
Social media users have found these tips invaluable. One commented that these “super useful tips” are particularly handy, especially the bottle-under-the-bed trick. A traveler named Joey even suggested his own hack—putting the TV remote in a bag since it’s rarely cleaned by housekeeping.
