Picture this: you’ve just stepped into your hotel room after a long, exhausting journey. You set your bags down, take a deep breath, and start to unwind. But before you fully relax, have you taken a moment to really look around? Behind that pristine-looking room, some shady hotels may be hiding serious red flags. Here are three things you should check right away—any of which might have you packing up again just as fast.

1. The mirror that might be watching you

You glance in the mirror, maybe fix your hair or outfit, and move on. But what if someone’s on the other side, watching you? Believe it or not, some less-than-honest places install one-way mirrors that allow someone hidden behind them to observe the room without being seen.

Luckily, there’s a simple trick to check if the mirror is legit or a potential privacy threat: Press your fingertip against the glass.

• If you see a small gap between your finger and the reflection, the mirror is normal.
• But if your finger seems to touch its reflection directly, that’s a red flag—it might be a two-way mirror.

In that case, don’t risk it: “change hotels immediately” to keep your privacy intact.

2. Dirty bathroom? It might mean more than just bad housekeeping

Nobody likes a grimy bathroom—but if you spot one, it could signal much deeper issues than just laziness. Unclean faucets, moldy showerheads, or hair in the drain suggest poor overall hygiene.

Because if a hotel isn’t bothering to clean the bathroom properly, chances are they’re also cutting corners on things like laundered sheets, clean towels, or even air conditioning filters.

Here’s what to check:

• Faucets and showers: Limescale buildup? Stray hairs? Mold? That’s not a good sign.
• Shower head: If it’s gunked up, that means the pipes aren’t getting cleaned either.

Pro tip: try gently unscrewing the shower head. If it’s full of grime inside, that’s your cue to leave.

3. Hidden cameras – a serious invasion of your privacy

The thought of someone secretly recording your stay is chilling, but sadly, it happens. Malicious individuals sometimes hide tiny cameras in hotel rooms to spy on guests. How do you check for them?

Before you settle in or even turn on the lights, take a few minutes to scan the room:

• Inspect places like smoke detectors, alarm clocks, outlets, TVs, and lamps.
• Look for a tiny red or infrared light in odd places—it could be a hidden lens.
• Here’s a helpful trick: use your phone’s flashlight to scan the room. If you spot an unusual glint or reflection, especially from an electronic device, that might be a camera lens.

And again, “if in doubt, don’t take any risks: leave the hotel immediately and notify the relevant authorities.”

Your safety always comes first

At the end of the day, your comfort and safety should never be compromised. Before you kick back and relax, do a quick sweep of your room. A shady mirror, a dirty bathroom, or a suspicious device could be signs that something’s not right.

And if anything feels off? “When in doubt, change establishments without hesitation.” A hotel worthy of your stay should always offer cleanliness, comfort, and respect for your privacy.

Stay alert—and travel safe.