1. The Truth About Luxury Hotel Buffets
“I’ve worked in multiple five-star luxury hotels around the world, and most guests would be shocked if they knew what really goes on behind buffet counters. I’ve personally seen yellow food coloring added to sauces and labeled as ‘saffron sauce.’ That ‘pan-fried sea bass’ on the menu? It’s often just generic white fish from bulk packages labeled simply as ‘white fish.’ I’ve also witnessed staff altering expiration dates on food products to keep food costs low and avoid waste reports. The presentation may look luxurious, but the ingredients often tell a very different story.”
— Bigfatpie / Reddit

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2. Never Use Hotel Pillows Without Protection
Never sleep directly on a hotel pillow. Always bring your own pillowcase or cover the pillow completely. While pillowcases are changed regularly, the pillows themselves are rarely washed. Housekeeping typically cleans pillows only if there is an obvious stain or strong odor. Otherwise, they’re reused continuously. I’ve seen pillows stay in rotation for months—or even years—without being properly sanitized. Guests would be uncomfortable knowing how infrequently pillows are actually cleaned.

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3. Be Careful With Hotel Scrambled Eggs
“I worked night shifts at a hotel and was responsible for setting up breakfast. Since then, I refuse to eat scrambled eggs at hotels unless I personally see fresh eggs being cracked. A huge amount of breakfast food is purchased in bulk and prepared in under five minutes. The scrambled eggs often come from a ready-to-cook liquid egg mixture. You simply pour it into a pan, heat the goo, and five minutes later it’s served as ‘scrambled eggs.’ The texture and taste are nothing like real eggs.”
— Dire87 / Reddit

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4. Hotel Hair Dryers Can Be Germ Magnets
No matter how expensive or luxurious your hotel room is, experts recommend avoiding hotel hair dryers. According to microbiologists, hair dryers can be surprisingly unhygienic. While visible areas like bathrooms and countertops are usually cleaned thoroughly, items such as hair dryers receive far less attention. They are rarely disinfected, despite frequent use by many guests, making them a potential breeding ground for bacteria.

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5. A Simple Trick to Cancel Non-Refundable Reservations
“If you need to cancel a hotel reservation but missed the cancellation deadline, try this workaround. Call the hotel and move your reservation to a date a few days later. Wait a few minutes, then call back. Now that you’re within the new cancellation window, cancel the reservation for free. It doesn’t always work, but it often does.”
— King_Whistle / Reddit

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6. Think Twice Before Using Free Hotel Shampoo Bottles
Those small complimentary shampoo and conditioner bottles in hotel rooms may not be as fresh as they appear. While guests are rarely told this, many hotels collect used bottles, refill them from large bulk containers, and reseal them instead of replacing them. The issue is that those bulk containers often sit in storage for months and may already be expired. As a result, the products inside those tiny bottles may no longer be safe or effective to use.

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7. Always Protect Your Personal Items in the Bathroom
“Before placing your toiletries or personal items on the bathroom counter, spread a towel down first. I’ve seen coworkers clean floors, showers, toilets, and sinks using the same rag. Some staff clean more than a dozen rooms with only two rags—one for bathrooms and one for everything else. The priority isn’t sanitation; it’s making the room look clean and smell pleasant as quickly as possible.”

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Final Thoughts

Hotels often appear spotless, polished, and luxurious on the surface—but behind the scenes, cleanliness and quality don’t always match expectations. Knowing these insider realities can help travelers make smarter choices, protect their health, and avoid unpleasant surprises during their stay. A little preparation—such as bringing your own toiletries, pillowcase, or being selective with buffet food—can go a long way in ensuring a safer and more comfortable hotel experience.