KLM flight attendant who has stayed in hundreds of hotels worldwide, shared her top “hotel hacks” for ensuring safety
Many holidaymakers worry about hotel room safety, fearing that someone could be hiding under the bed or in the wardrobe. KLM flight attendant Esther, who has stayed in hundreds of hotels around the world, shared her top “hotel hacks” for staying safe while traveling.
Esther revealed a simple trick to “check that no one is under the bed without looking.” She explained: “Throw a bottle under it, and if it doesn’t emerge on the other side, someone could be hiding there.”
American flight attendant Kat Kamali also highlighted the importance of checking “if there’s anyone in your room” immediately upon arrival. She warned against saying your “room number out loud” and recommended a thorough inspection “behind the curtains and under the bed” as soon as you enter.
Former flight attendant Nassim shared her own safety routine with Express.co.uk, recalling a disturbing story from her early days of flying. “When I started flying I heard of a story where a crew member had gone into their hotel room and not checked it out properly and someone had hidden in the room.”
That incident led to an attack, and since then Nassim has always conducted a full check. “I would never ever enter a room without doing that,” she said. She explained that she would keep the door open by propping it with her luggage while inspecting the bathroom, under the bed, inside the wardrobes, under the table, and behind the curtains. For hotels without security chains, she would place her suitcase by the door: “I would place my bag by the door in case someone opened it from the outside, then it would make a noise.”
Alongside safety advice, Esther also shared clever tricks for making hotel stays easier. Faced with a flimsy cardboard bathroom cup while trying to keep her toothbrush upright? “Put it the other way around and poke your toothbrush through it! Washbasins are not hygienic,” she suggested.
For wrinkled clothes, she offered a quick solution: “Your clothes are creased? Hang your clothes in the bathroom while showering! Dry wash it and it’s like new again!” If a steamed-up mirror slows you down, she recommended: “Mirror steamed up and you have to leave quickly? Blow dry where necessary and it’s gone in no time.”
She also shared a tip for music lovers: “No speaker with you? Put your phone in a mug and you have loud sound!”
These hacks have been well received online. Social media user Susi Dorigoni called them “super useful tips.” Another commenter agreed: “Super tips, especially the one under the bed!” while someone else added: “I’m dying about that bottle of water under the bed.”
Traveler Joey also contributed his own smart idea: “I put the TV remotes in bags because there is no sensitive touching feature, and there is no way housekeeping washes them.”
