Flight attendant says you should always throw a water bottle under hotel beds

Cabin crew travel for a living, so we tend to trust their advice on making the most of our trips. And this flight attendant’s top tip could be an invaluable one, especially if you’re travelling alone. Esther Sturrus, who works for Dutch airline KLM and shares TikToks about her journeys, has shared five pieces of advice - including always throwing a water bottle under the bed when you get into a hotel room (Picture: Getty Images)

Although unlikely, tourists can be targeted by thieves or intruders, with some travellers choosing to be vigilant in certain countries or in rooms on lower floors. According to Esther, her hack lets you ‘check that no one is under the bed without looking’, easing your mind if you’re wary (Picture: Getty Images)

She advises rolling the bottle under the bed, adding in her video that it ‘has to come out on the other side’. If it doesn’t, you may want to exercise caution. Bear in mind that an obstruction doesn’t necessarily mean there’s someone hiding underneath your bed (Picture: Getty Images)

It could just as easily be where spare sheets are stored, or you didn’t throw the bottle hard enough to get it right across to the other side. That said, it doesn’t hurt to check, and you’ll sleep better knowing you’ve done your due diligence (Picture: Getty Images)

Esther's other tips were:
• To poke a hole in the bottom of a paper cup to store your toothbrush in without it falling over
• Use a hairdryer to clear steam on the bathroom mirror
• Hang your travelling clothes in the bathroom while you shower to steam out any creases
• Place your phone in a cup while playing music to amplify the sound

(Picture: Getty Images)

Previously, another flight attendant revealed a helpful travel hack that starts before you make it to your hotel. Speaking to Metro, ex British Airways cabin crew Saskia Sekhri explained that lots airplanes have an on-board wardrobe – and passengers can use it. Nope, we had no idea either. So, if you’ve got a item of clothing that you want to give some special treatment to, all you have to do is ask the crew on board if there’s space (Picture: Getty Images)

Saskia said: ‘Most aircraft are fitted with wardrobes but it’s not common knowledge – I’d say it’s like the Narnia wardrobe, you only know if you’re in the know. Crew may use the wardrobe to hang up their blazers or waistcoats during service, but usually we’d just store our belongings in the overhead lockers. If you look next time you’re one of the first to board, you might notice bags already in the wardrobe with a red CREW tag' (Picture: Getty Images)

Although Saskia does point out you’re more likely to find an on-board wardrobe if you’re travelling to a far-flung destination. ‘Some short-haul aircraft (such as the A319/320/321) may have been reconfigured to house safety equipment such as the onboard wheelchair or just to maximise space as the short-haul galleys are quite a tight squeeze. But most long-haul aircraft are home to multiple wardrobes so it’s always worth asking!’ (Picture: Getty Images) This article was originally published in May 2024