I’m a hotel worker – here are five things managers don’t want you to know

Staying at a hotel can be the ultimate relaxing experience, whether it’s a mini-break or a long-term stay.

But while many hotels try to be quiet and clean, guests are often shocked by what they find beneath the surface.

Fortunately, the experts at eShores have shared five top tips for travelers to get the most out of their stay.

From arriving on time to checking the hotel safe, these insider secrets can help make your stay memorable for all the right reasons.

Always check the kettle in your room to avoid some very nasty surprises

According to the staff, you should double-check everything you drink in a hotel room, especially if it comes from a kettle.

While many items will be cleaned daily by housekeeping, bins are known to go unnoticed.

Experts warn never to boil a hotel kettle until you’ve checked in, as ‘roommates are known to add untold things to kettles’.

According to experts, even minibars are not safe. They said: ‘A hotel worker recalls a guest urinating in a bottle from the mini bar

Experts have warned hotel guests to always check the bins in their room for ‘unmentioned’ items as they may not be cleaned daily.

Don’t be late – you might lose your room

Hotel receptionists who participated in the research admitted that many budget hotels will deliberately overbook rooms to maximize profits, based on the assumption that some guests will not show up.

Experts found that if hotels end up with too many guests, they can transfer you to a nearby hotel and cover the taxi costs, which although won’t affect you financially, can come as an inconvenience.

So if you’re going to an evening show or event, make sure you show up on time to secure your room.

Avoid a cooked breakfast if you are a vegetarian

Experts have warned that cross-contamination can be rife during the morning rush, even for items that are supposed to be safe for vegetarians.

They said: “You might think you’re safe with options like tomatoes and eggs, but the behind-the-scenes tells a different story.”

Staff members revealed that they have seen vegetables such as tomatoes cooked on top of trays covered in bacon fat.

Additionally, the tongs that guests use to serve themselves can get messed up, meaning you could accidentally end up eating a contaminated food.

For this reason, experts say it’s best to avoid buffet breakfasts, especially at budget hotels, or stick to continental items.

Get antibacterial wipes for bedside drawers

While hotel cleaners will give the room a quick turn between guests, many surfaces such as the inside of drawers and cupboards can be overlooked

In most hotels, housekeeping will do a quick room rotation between guests, which includes moving, cleaning surfaces, and changing bedding.

But since they are often in and out quickly, many surfaces can be overlooked, such as the inside of cupboards or drawers.

According to experts, cleaners have found intimate items left in hotel rooms, usually in the bedside drawer.

So, for peace of mind, it may be worth wiping these surfaces yourself.

During a long trip, you can put antibacterial spray in your checked luggage. But if it’s a short visit, you can choose 100 ml antibacterial spray or wipes.

Carex 100ml Anti-Bacterial Hand Spray can be bought from Boots for just £2.85 and ‘kills 99.99 per cent of enveloped bacteria and viruses.’

Always flush the toilet when you enter your room

If you’re flying to a hotel in a hotter climate, the hotel staff have a tip – always flush your toilet.

This applies when you first check in to your room and when you return from a day trip.

Experts said: “In hotter places, the toilet and under the seat make the perfect hiding place for creepy crawlies, especially spiders.”

So if you don’t mind the risk of an unpleasant blow, don’t sit down without flushing the toilet first.