Think Twice Before Checking In
You might think that booking a room at a luxury resort or a cozy roadside inn guarantees a fresh start for your vacation. But between the invisible germs lingering on high-touch surfaces and the bizarre stories shared by long-term staff, there’s plenty to be wary of once you turn the deadbolt. With that in mind, here are 20 unsettling things that still happen at hotels.
1. The Dirty Truth About Remote Controls
Hotel remote controls can be filthy. Because they aren’t routinely sanitized, the television remote has been touched by hundreds of other guests. Put it in a plastic bag or give it a good wipe-down yourself before binge-watching your favorite show.
2. Unwashed Decorative Bed Runners
The bed skirt is likely the least-cleaned thing in the room. Because it doesn’t contact your skin like the sheets do, hotel housekeepers often neglect to clean it during daily linen exchanges. Consider tossing it in the corner when you first arrive.
3. Glassware That Only Gets a Quick Rinse
If they aren’t in the dishwasher, some housekeeping staff will simply rinse glasses under the tap or wipe them down with a counter cloth. In most rooms, fill up your glass with the complimentary bottled water, or wash it yourself under hot, soapy water.
4. Hidden Cameras in Living Spaces
The likelihood of finding a camera in your room is pretty slim. However, with surveillance technology getting smaller every year, checking for unauthorized cameras is a valid concern. Previous guests may have left them there for nefarious reasons.
5. Reused Duvet Covers and Comforters
While hotels will always replace your bedsheets, they may not always replace the thick blanket or comforter that sits on top. In some cases, duvet covers are only cleaned once every couple of weeks. Yuck!
6. Forgotten Items in the Bible
Many people leave notes, photos, or even strange messages tucked away inside the nightstand Bible for future guests to find. You might stumble upon a heartfelt confession or a creepy warning left behind by someone who stayed in that exact room years ago. It’s a small reminder that these rooms have seen a lot of human drama over the decades.
7. Staff Entering During Your Nap
Yes, housekeepers can sometimes enter your room with the Do Not Disturb sign hanging if they accidentally badge the wrong room. Nothing scares you quite like waking up to a stranger looking down at you from your doorway. Lock the deadbolt and swing bolt whenever you nap!
8. The Slime in the Ice Machine
Did you know hotel ice machines can grow “biofilm” and mold if they aren’t regularly deep cleaned? These convenient machines are breeding grounds for slimy residue since they are often located in damp areas like hallway closets. Request ice from the bar instead if cleanliness is your concern.
9. Walls That Are Way Too Thin
Hotel rooms have notoriously thin walls. Not only will you hear your neighbors’ dirty laundry list, but they will hear yours, too. The worst part is accidentally listening in on weird couples talking or hearing things you wish you hadn’t in the middle of the night.
10. The Mystery of the Coffee Maker
If they aren’t properly cleaned, coffee makers can grow mold inside the reservoir. No one wants to drink coffee that could have been previously used to wash clothes or feed a pet rabbit. Use the coffee at the hotel lobby or bring your own coffee maker with you.
11. Lingering Scents of the Past
Sometimes a room can smell perfectly fine until the air conditioning kicks on and releases the trapped odors of old smoke or pet dander. These phantom smells suggest that the room has a history that a quick spray of air freshener couldn't quite mask. It’s a subtle but constant reminder that you’re inhabiting a space that has been heavily used by others.
12. Carpet That Has Never Seen a Deep Clean
Hotel carpets get stepped on, spilled on, and tracked through more miles than your car. While they might get vacuumed daily, you should never walk around barefoot in hotels because carpets rarely get deep cleaned.
13. Strange Markings on the Mirrors
Ghostly handprints appear on bathroom mirrors after a hot shower because the room fills with steam. The oily residue is left behind by guests who didn’t properly wash their hands before exiting the bathroom. Ghost handprints on mirrors are creepy but totally harmless.
14. Unaccounted-for Keys Still in Circulation
Key cards don’t always deactivate properly when guests check out of hotels. There have been many cases where the person checking in next was told the same room was available. Someone could potentially have your key to your room, which is quite unsettling.
15. The "Void" Under the Bed
Modern hotels with platform beds have started this trend to discourage guests from hiding items underneath. However, if you stay at an older hotel with vacant space beneath beds, be wary of what you may find underneath.
16. Ice Buckets Used as Trash Cans
It’s a common but gross reality that some guests will use the ice bucket as a convenient place to throw away messy leftovers. Even if the bucket looks clean, you should always use the plastic liner provided to ensure your ice stays sanitary. Without that thin layer of plastic, you’re taking a gamble on exactly how well that container was scrubbed.
17. Shadowy Figures in the Hallways
Whether they’re caused by tired minds or something more sinister, many hotel guests have experienced shadow people in the hallway. Hallways can play tricks on your mind when you’re mentally exhausted from a long day of traveling. Keep telling yourself that it’s just your imagination…
18. Elevators with a Mind of Their Own
You might find yourself on an elevator that stops at a random floor, even though nobody is waiting there to get on. While this is usually just a technical glitch or a delayed call button, it feels much creepier when the doors open to a dark, empty hallway at 3:00 AM. It’s one of those minor hotel inconveniences that can quickly turn into a scene from a horror movie.
19. Light Switches That Harbor Germs
Much like the remote control, the main light switch near the door is a high-touch area that often gets overlooked during a quick room turnover. Everyone who enters the room touches it, often with hands that haven't been washed since they were out in public. Using your knuckle or a sleeve to flip the lights can help you avoid some of the germs.
20. The Feeling of Being Watched
There’s a psychological phenomenon where being in an unfamiliar environment makes your brain stay on high alert, leading to a sense of unease. You might find yourself checking the closet or looking behind the shower curtain, even though you know you’re the only one there. This lingering feeling of being watched is a natural reaction to the transitory and anonymous nature of hotel living.
