Latest news with #RaniCheema
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
These Are the Dirtiest Parts of a Hotel Room, According to Housekeeping
When you check into a hotel room, the crisp linens and sparkling bathroom might give a false sense of cleanliness. However, seasoned travelers and hospitality professionals know that some of the dirtiest places in hotel rooms are often hidden in plain sight. Between high turnover rates and limited staff, there's often not enough time in the day to deep clean every room every day. Enza Laterrenia, head of housekeeping at Canne Bianche Lifestyle & Hotel, explains that under standard conditions, a room is cleaned by a housekeeping pair in about 30 minutes, highlighting the time pressure housekeeping teams often face. Decorative pillows on a hotel Diego, a Travel + Leisure A-List advisor and a self-proclaimed germaphobe, says she always takes action immediately when she gets to her room. 'Having worked in hotels, the first thing I fling off to a far corner of the room are decorative pillows and any decorative runner that goes along the foot of the bed," she says. "These never get washed." Laterrenia agrees, noting that many hotels wash their decorative elements infrequently. A hand picking up a hotel phone. webphotographeer/Getty Images For travel advisor and coach Rani Cheema, hotel room phones are the most unsanitary items. "If there's an actual phone and I need to pick it up, I am grossed out by the receiver,' Cheema says. 'I think it's ... the mouth part, because no one's cleaning that." From a housekeeping perspective, carpets are another culprit. "They tend to trap dust and bacteria, making them one of the more demanding items to sanitize," Laterrenia says. Cheema, however, notes that many higher-end properties are adapting. "There are a lot of five-star hotels that no longer have carpeting, so it's hardwood floors or an area rug, and that's about it," she says. Even in luxury hotels, though, thoroughness has its limits. 'At higher-end hotels, major touch points like switches, remote control, phones, get a wipe before every check-in, but I'm still cautious about these spots,' Diego says. A rainfall shower head flowing water in a hotel of the most overlooked surfaces are the ones tucked away. 'I'm also wary of barware inside drawers or cabinetry, anything that might be sitting for prolonged periods or handled by guests unbeknownst to housekeeping teams,' Diego says. She's also particular about the bathroom. 'I also won't take a bath in a hotel unless it's a super luxe five-star hotel, and only if it's a non-jet bathtub," she says." Laterrenia reveals that certain areas are often overlooked during standard hotel cleanings. "Hard-to-reach spots—such as high ceilings, chandeliers, ceiling fans, curtain rods, and shower heads—are often neglected.' So next time you check into a hotel, toss the decorative pillows and bed runners to the side, wipe down the high-touch surfaces, and be selective about using the tub. When in doubt, it doesn't hurt to do a quick clean of your own.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Flight attendant reveals the best time to use the bathroom on a plane
On a flight, it can often be tricky working out when the best time to use the toilet is, especially as the average plane has about one bathroom for every 60 passengers. Thanks to it being off-limits during take-off and landing, as well as when there's turbulence, long queues for the loo can often be a problem. But a flight attendant has revealed the two ideal times to relieve yourself on a long-haul flight – and when to avoid. According to Sarah B, it's best to not go to the loo after the second meal, like most people tend to do – as it usually happens 60 to 90 minutes before landing, meaning there's a risk of long queues and the chance you might not be able to go at all before the seatbelt sign comes back on. She told Travel + Leisure: 'The moment they announce that you're going to land soon, everyone runs to the toilets. 'They also run there right after eating, and they can get stuck behind the carts for clearing the meals, and it's difficult for them to get back to their seats.' Instead, Sarah recommends using the lavatory 'right after we've cleared the first meal service' as that's when most people are watching films on their screens or going to sleep. Her other suggestion is to go 'just before the landing announcement' so you miss the rush – but that requires keeping an eye on the flight map on your screen. But a flight attendant has revealed the two ideal times to relieve yourself on a long-haul flight – and when to avoid (stock image) But Rani Cheema, a travel coach and consultant who regularly takes long-haul flights, also added her hacks for the plane toilet situation. She suggested using the toilet before the plane takes off and added: 'I'm using the bathroom as many times as possible before getting on the plane.' Rani also explained she chooses to use the toilet when most people are asleep. But her main tip is to head for the toilet at the back of the plane if you don't want to queue. She sad: 'If there's a bathroom that's very viewable, like towards the front, that means I'm not going to that bathroom. 'I am probably going all the way to the back, because most likely people are looking forward at that bathroom and they can see the sign.'
