Booking a hotel or motel room—whether for vacation, business, or a quick stopover—is part of modern travel. While comfort is important, your safety in unfamiliar accommodations should always come first.

A Simple Safety Tip from a Travel Pro

Esther, a veteran flight attendant with KLM Airlines, shares a simple yet smart tip she uses every time she checks into a hotel: toss a water bottle under the bed.

Why? It’s a discreet and effective way to check if anything or anyone is hiding beneath.

If the bottle rolls freely across to the other side, the space is likely clear. If it stops or gets blocked, it could be a warning sign. In such cases, you should leave the room immediately and alert hotel staff or security to investigate further.

The idea is to stay cautious without putting yourself in a vulnerable position. Bending down to manually check under the bed could expose you to danger if someone is hiding there.

Trust Your Instincts

In addition to this trick, always trust your gut. If something feels off about the room, don’t dismiss it. Step out, go to the front desk, and request another room or ask for a safety inspection. It’s better to be overly cautious than regretful.

A Cleanliness Check, Too

Besides safety, this tip also serves another purpose—checking how well the room has been cleaned. The space under beds is often missed by housekeeping, and tossing a bottle can reveal if there’s trash, dust, or signs of pests like insects or rodents.

Quick, Simple, and Worth Doing

Tossing a water bottle under the bed is a fast, non-invasive way to gain peace of mind about both cleanliness and personal safety. It’s one small action that can make a big difference during your stay.

Next time you check into a hotel, take a moment to try this tip—it could help protect you from an unpleasant or even dangerous situation.