I’m a former flight attendant – this is the surprisingly gross reason why you should always check the boiler when staying in a hotel
A former stewardess has revealed her secret hotel tips – including the grim reason you should always check the kettle before using it.
Barbara Bacilieri, 31, known as ‘Barbie Bac’ on social media, also shared how you can check your hotel bed for bugs.
The Argentinian air hostess has amassed more than 4.5 million followers and around 100 million likes on her TikTok accounts – @barbiebac.ok and @barbiebac.viajes – with tips and tricks for less experienced travellers.
In addition to her insider tips, she shares stories about the reality of flying—including the most disgusting things passengers do on the plane.
Here, FEMAIL looks at her top three tips from her videowhich has over 1.2 million views and 40,000 likes on how to get the most out of your holiday – including what you can and can’t take from your hotel room…
Barbara Bacilieri, pictured, revealed her top three tips for less experienced travelers when visiting hotels
Check the bed
After a long trip, it’s tempting to just jump into bed right away when you first arrive at your accommodation.
But Barbara warns you might want to hold off.
“Before you go to bed, lift the sheets,” she explained.
‘Check for mistakes or socks that other guests may have left behind!’
Being careful and making sure your room is clean can save you from an unpleasant surprise later.
Rust-colored spots on or under your mattress can indicate that there are bugs around – as it is the blood-stained color sheets that turn if an insect has been squished there.
The flight attendant, known as ‘Barbie Bac’ on TikTok, advised guests to check their hotel room’s kettle, bedding and safe
The Argentinian flight attendant, 31, recently announced that she had resigned from the flight service to work on her social media, which means even more great tips for her millions of viewers
Bedding in hotels should be checked for bugs, she said. Bed bugs leave a rusty brown stain when they have been pinched on white sheets
Barbara also said that the previous guests’ clothes could have been left mixed in the bedding – which you don’t want to sleep with and might want to return to at check-in
A previous occupant may also have left valuables in the safe, so the frequent flyer advised checking the safe for cash or other surprises
Check the safe
Even if you don’t plan to use the safe, the former flight attendant emphasized always checking it.
“If there’s a safe, open it,” she revealed. “Maybe you’re lucky and the previous guest forgot their millions.”
Or – be a Good Samaritan and report any leftovers to the hotel staff.
It’s also important to check that it’s working properly for your own belongings before putting anything away.
Barbara has been in cabin crew for over a decade, most recently with Vueling based in Barcelona
According to hotel regulars, some guests use electric kettles to wash underwear, cook or even clean their menstrual cups
Look inside the kettle
Northing is better than a cup of tea after a long day of planes, trains and cars.
But just like the bed and the safe, you should also check your boiler.
Barbara said: ‘Always look into the coffee pot. Before you boil water to make a tea or coffee, think it through.
‘Some guests are said to use the boiling pot for weird things like washing underwear, cooking sausages or even cleaning the menstrual cup!
‘You didn’t expect this one, did you? Imagine how many other things guests do that we don’t know about.’
What you can and cannot take with you
The former flight attendant also revealed what you should and shouldn’t take from hotel rooms, with some shocking revelations about what some travelers try to get away with
She said some guests even try to rush off with pillows, light bulbs or batteries from appliances — all prohibited
Barbara has also heard of guests taking things from hotel rooms, which shocked her.
She said: ‘Some people think that everything in the room is free or because they have paid so much they have the right to take it. (sic)
‘The batteries from the remote or worse, the bulbs from the lights.
‘Yes, they screw them off and take them home.
‘The coffee or tea bags are free, but the mugs are not!
“Stationery paper and pencils are also free – but the pillows are not.
‘You wouldn’t believe how many guests take the hotel’s pillows home with them.
‘And how many people have hotel towels at home? A lot.’