If You See These 3 Signs in a Hotel Room, Check Out Immediately, Experts Warn

Staying in a hotel is meant to be relaxing, but safety and hygiene should always come first. Travel experts and hospitality professionals warn that certain warning signs in a hotel room should never be ignored. If you notice any of the three signs below, it may be safer to request a room change—or leave the hotel altogether.

1. Strange smells that won’t go away

A persistent musty, moldy, or chemical odor is a major red flag. This may indicate hidden mold, poor ventilation, or the recent use of strong chemicals to cover up hygiene issues. Long-term exposure to mold spores can trigger allergies, respiratory problems, headaches, and fatigue—especially dangerous for children, older adults, and people with asthma.

If opening windows or turning on ventilation does not eliminate the smell, it is best to leave the room immediately.

2. Visible stains, mold, or signs of pests

Dirty carpets, stained bedding, mold on bathroom tiles, or black spots around air-conditioning vents suggest poor cleaning standards. Even more concerning are signs of pests such as cockroaches, ants, or bed bugs.

Bed bugs, in particular, can hide in mattresses, headboards, and curtains. Their bites can cause itching, skin infections, and severe allergic reactions. Once exposed, pests can also travel home with your luggage.

3. Damaged locks, broken doors, or suspicious equipment

Safety should never be compromised. Broken door locks, malfunctioning electronic key systems, loose windows, or strange devices (such as hidden cameras or unfamiliar wiring) are serious warning signs.

Hotels with poor security maintenance increase the risk of theft, privacy invasion, or personal harm. If the room door does not lock properly or you feel unsafe for any reason, trust your instincts and leave.

What should you do?

If you encounter any of these issues:

• Take photos as evidence

• Contact hotel management immediately

• Request a room change or a refund

• If the problem is serious, check out and report it to the booking platform

Your health, safety, and privacy are worth far more than the cost of a night’s stay.