There are many warnings tourists are used to hearing when staying in hotels: steer clear of the minibar unless you've got excess money to spend, always double-lock your door to feel secure in your room, and, if you've spent too long on TikTok, maybe even check behind the bathroom mirror just in case. But there's one overlooked detail that might surprise you: the humble hotel room phone. They're still a standard fixture in most rooms, despite being mostly obsolete thanks to smartphones. Usually found
on the bedside table, these phones are, however, still used for everything from ordering a late-night caesar salad to booking a wake-up call. But here's the issue: they're rarely cleaned. While hotel rooms are typically given a surface-level spruce between guests, certain items tend to slip through the cracks, and phones are one of them.
According to Reader's Digest, hotel phones are among the dirtiest objects in the room. Just think about it: with hundreds of guests handling the device and pressing it to their mouths and ears, it's no surprise that it's a hotspot for germs. If you must use one, try and remember to pack antibacterial wipes so you can give it, and some other dirty hotel room surfaces a clean. However, hotel phones are not alone and even our personal phones are teeming with bacteria. But the yuck-factor is not the only reason you should avoid using the hotel landline to make a call.
Read more: Simple Tricks To Getting Extra Perks When You Check Into Your Hotel
There's Another Sneaky Reason To Avoid The Hotel Phone
If you weren't grossed out already (don't worry, the grossest spots in your hotel room will do that for you), the hidden costs of a hotel phone might just be the final straw. These fees quietly rack up and often only become apparent when you check out. Many hotels charge premium rates for even the shortest calls. In fact, even local calls can come with unexpected service fees, and don't even think about an international call; we're back into minibar territory.
These rates may not even be readily advertised, so the shock could hit you way after the fact. Of course, hotel phones are there for your convenience and security, but for calls, it's probably better to stick to your own cell phone and use FaceTime or messaging apps for anything beyond room service or reception requests. Considering both the hygiene concerns and the potential for hidden charges, the hotel telephone quickly becomes one of the least appealing items in the room. So, although it might look harmless, hotel phones are better left untouched.
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Read the original article on Islands.
