A Hotel Worker Reveals the Most Important Things to Check When You Enter Your Room

If you’re the type of traveler who drops their bags and immediately flops onto the hotel bed, this might make you reconsider that habit. Natalie Brookson, a 37-year-old former hospitality worker, recently went public with some eye-opening revelations about what really goes on behind the scenes at hotels. After years in the industry, she says what she witnessed left her genuinely unsettled, and she wants guests to know exactly what to look for before they get too comfortable.

Her biggest concern is bed bugs, and for good reason. Brookson told Woman’s Own magazine that at the hotel chain where she worked, pest inspections were carried out in only about 10 percent of rooms. She says most guests assume these checks happen regularly, but the reality is far less reassuring. Her advice is to do a thorough inspection yourself the moment you walk in, before you even think about unpacking.

Knowing where to look makes all the difference. The most likely hiding spots include the seams and buttons of the mattress, where bed bugs tend to cluster and lay their eggs. You should also check the joints of the bed frame, both sides of the headboard, behind nightstands, and any cracks near electrical outlets or picture frames. Small rust-colored stains on the sheets can be a telltale sign, and in cases of heavier infestation, you might even notice a faintly sweet, musty odor in the room.

Beyond the bug check, Brookson has another inspection she never skips. She says that once you’ve seen the sweat-stained body outline pressed into a bare hotel mattress, you’ll never want to sleep on one without a mattress topper again. She makes a point of confirming one is in place before settling in for the night. It sounds a little extreme until you picture it, and then it suddenly makes a lot of sense.

Two more things on her list that many people completely overlook are the decorative throw pillows and the drinking glasses provided in the room. Brookson says she has no memory of those ornamental pillows ever being properly laundered during her time in the industry. As for the glasses, she recommends giving them a wash before using them, regardless of how clean they appear.

If you do end up bringing bed bugs home despite your best efforts, Martin Seeley, director of MattressNextDay, has practical advice for containing the problem fast. He points out that these insects can survive for up to a year without a blood meal, which means even a single one can quietly establish an infestation. Female bed bugs are capable of laying between 200 and 500 eggs over a two-month span, in sticky clusters that attach to clothing, furniture, and luggage with ease. To minimize the risk while traveling, Seeley recommends keeping your suitcase off the bed and floor, using the dresser drawers instead, and storing dirty clothes in a sealed bag throughout your trip.

Have you ever done a hotel room inspection before settling in, and if so, what did you find? Share your experiences in the comments.