Hotel rooms may appear sparkling clean when you first arrive, but surprising levels of bacteria and viruses can be lurking in overlooked places like remote controls, light switches, and even towels. A University of Houston study found that hotel rooms can have up to 10 times more bacteria in some areas — including fecal strains — than hospitals allow.
Experts warn that common touchpoints such as remotes, phones, and light switches are especially contaminated. The head of housekeeping at Canne Bianche Lifestyle Hotel in Italy, Enza Laterrenia, explained that hotel staff typically spend just 30 minutes tidying and cleaning each room, often skipping decorative items entirely.
Travel advisors recommend specific steps to take upon arrival to minimize germ exposure. Maria Diego, a San Diego-based travel adviser, suggests removing decorative pillows and runners from beds, as these are rarely washed. Rani Cheema, a Los Angeles travel adviser, expressed disgust over hotel room phones, stating that they are rarely cleaned.
Other areas of concern include carpets, which can be breeding grounds for germs, and certain bathroom fixtures, including shower heads and drains, which may harbor up to 40 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. Experts also advise against using ice buckets in hotel rooms, citing the risk of norovirus outbreaks, as was seen in a recent outbreak where guests vomited into ice buckets.
Carter, founder of Maryland-based Royal Expression Travels, suggests staying alert for red flags like a dusty charging port or a residue-covered bedside lamp, which could indicate poor cleaning practices. She recommends rinsing glassware with boiled water before use and packing your own drinkware to avoid using anything provided in the room.
Ultimately, the goal is not to fear germs, but to develop good hygiene habits. If anything feels off, experts recommend alerting hotel staff so that the room can be cleaned again or you can be moved to another one.