Most of us have been conditioned by horror movies to feel uneasy about what might be lurking under the bed. In real life, though, the concern is less about monsters and more about personal safety—especially when you’re staying somewhere unfamiliar. One flight attendant recently shared a simple trick using a water bottle to discreetly check under a hotel bed without having to kneel down or lie on the floor.
A Viral Reminder to Check Under the Hotel Bed
A flight attendant posing in front of a mirror. Bathroom wall and toilet paper in the background.
Image Credit: @EstherSturrus | TikTok
Thriller and suspense films like Taken have drawn attention to the vulnerabilities tourists can face, especially when traveling abroad. While such scenarios are extreme, they do highlight the need for awareness and precaution.
Many seasoned travelers, including airline crew, now use social media to share tips that can make trips safer and smoother. One of them is KLM flight attendant Esther Sturrus, who documents her journeys and advice on TikTok. In a recent “part 2” video of her travel tips, she demonstrated a simple hack: tossing a water bottle under the hotel bed to check if someone might be hiding there—without having to physically look underneath.
She explains that this method can be an easy way to put your mind at ease when you first enter your room.
Mixed Reactions to the Hotel Bed Hack
A flight attendant posing in front of a mirror.
Image Credit: @EstherSturrus | TikTok
Even with her extensive travel experience, not everyone was convinced the trick is necessary. Some viewers felt the hack went a bit too far.
“How many times have you found someone under your bed?” one user asked, adding: “That seems crazy.”
Another person joked: “Imagine u don’t throw hard enough, end up accumulating empty bottles below cuz u can reach it.”
While the likelihood of encountering an intruder under the bed is low, it isn’t impossible—hence her suggestion. For many travelers, the hack is less about expecting danger and more about gaining a sense of control and reassurance in an unfamiliar room.
How the Bottle-Under-the-Bed Trick Works
A captioned picture of a hand throwing a bottle under a hotel bed. Carpet and bed in the background.
Image Credit: @EstherSturrus | TikTok
Sturrus points out two key things to keep in mind when using this trick:
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The bottle “has to come out on the other side.”
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If it doesn’t, it may not automatically mean someone is hiding under the bed—bed frames, support legs, drawers, or storage compartments could also be blocking it.
Either way, the hack is a quick way to prompt a more thorough check if something seems off. The bottle tip is just one of several suggestions she shares in her follow-up video to help travelers feel safer and more organized in their hotel rooms.
Her other part 2 hints include:
A fogged mirror being defogged by a hair dryer.
Image Credit: @EstherSturrus | TikTok
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Hang clothes in the bathroom and let shower steam help release wrinkles.
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Use a hair dryer to clear a fogged bathroom mirror.
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Place your phone in a hotel glass to amplify sound and mimic a small speaker.
Part 1: More Travel Tips from a Flight Attendant
A pair of shoes in a shower cap packed away in luggage.
Image Credit: @Esthersturrus | TikTok
Before sharing the hotel bed hack, Esther posted a “part 1” video that focused on general travel convenience, safety, and hygiene. With more than 200,000 followers on TikTok, she has built an audience around practical advice from life on the road.
Her earlier tips include:
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Put a shoe in the safe along with valuables and documents so you won’t forget them when you leave; you’ll notice the missing shoe when packing.
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Use a clothes hanger with clips to keep curtains or blinds tightly closed for better sleep and privacy.
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Charge your phone via the TV’s USB port if you’re short on outlets or forgot your adapter.
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Wrap shoes in a shower cap to keep dirt and germs off your clothes inside the suitcase.
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Cover the remote or room phone with a shower cap as a barrier, since these items are often touched frequently but cleaned less thoroughly than bedding or bathroom fixtures.
Extra Ways to Stay Safe While Traveling
Man traveling, taking notes while holding his boarding pass.
Although most destinations are generally safe for visitors, travelers can still be targets for theft, scams, or opportunistic crime. Beyond checking under the bed, there are several straightforward precautions that can help reduce risk:
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Don’t carry large amounts of cash. Use cards when possible and keep only what you need for the day.
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Avoid looking overly lost or distracted. Constantly checking maps in public or standing still with your bags can make you more noticeable. Step into a café or lobby if you need to regroup.
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Stay in contact with someone at home. Share your itinerary with a trusted person and check in regularly so they know where you are and when to be concerned.
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Protect important documents. Keep digital copies of passports, IDs, and prescriptions stored securely (for example, in an encrypted app or secure cloud). If originals are lost or stolen, electronic copies can speed up replacement.
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Consider travel insurance. It can help cover unexpected medical expenses, trip delays or cancellations, and issues like lost or stolen luggage.
These strategies may seem simple, but together they add up to a much safer and less stressful travel experience.
Comfort bedroom in luxury style.
Frequent travelers—especially flight attendants and pilots—develop a unique perspective on what actually makes a difference on the road. Their tips often come from real-world experience rather than theory, which is why so many people pay attention when they share advice online.
Some suggestions, like throwing a water bottle under the hotel bed, might sound a little extreme at first. But for many travelers, small steps that increase peace of mind are worth the extra effort. Whether you adopt this particular hack or not, the underlying message remains valuable: stay alert, take reasonable precautions, and use simple tools and habits to make every trip safer and more comfortable.
Sources
“Flight attendant shares hotel safety hack that requires one thing you probably have on hand.” NY Post. Deirdre Bardolf. May 25, 2024.
“9 Ways To Travel More Safely.” NerdWallet. Lee Huffman. September 5, 2023.
