I'm a former flight attendant - this is the surprisingly gross reason you should always check the kettle when staying in a hotel

A former flight attendant has revealed her secret hotel tips - including the grim reason why you should always check the kettle before you use it.

Barbara Bacilieri, 31, known as 'Barbie Bac' on social media, also shared how you can check your hotel bed for bugs.

The Argentinian air hostess has amassed more than 4.5million followers and some 100m likes on her TikTok accounts - @barbiebac.ok and @barbiebac.viajes - posting tips and tricks for less experienced travellers.

As well as her insider advice, she shares stories about the reality of flying - including the most disgusting things passengers do on the plane.

Here, FEMAIL looks at her three top top tips from her video, which has over 1.2m views and 40,000 likes, on how to make the most of your holiday - including what you can and cannot take from your hotel room... 

Barbara Bacilieri, pictured, revealed her three top tips for less seasoned travellers when they visit hotels

Check the bed 

After a long trip, it's tempting to just leap into bed immediately, once arriving at your accommodation.

But Barbara warns that you might want to hold off. 

'Before getting into bed, lift the sheets,' she explained.

'Check for bugs or socks that other guests may have left behind!'

Being cautious and ensuring your space is clean might save you from a nasty surprise later on. 

Rust coloured dots on or under your mattress could indicate that there are bugs around - as this is the blood-stained colour sheets turn if a bug has been squashed there.

The air hostess, known as 'Barbie Bac' on TikTok, advised that guests check their hotel room's kettle, bedsheets and safe

The Argentinian flight attendant, 31, recently announced she had resigned from flight duties to work on her social media, meaning even more top tips for her millions of viewers

Bedding at hotels should be checked for bugs, she said. Bedbugs leave a rusty brown stain when they have been squashed on white sheets

Barbara also said the previous guests' clothes could have been left behind mixed among bedding - which you will not want to sleep with and might want to return to check-in

A previous occupant might also have left valuables in the safe, so the frequent flyer advised checking the safe for cash or other surprises

Check the safe 

Even if you are not planning to use the safe, the former air hostess stressed to always check it.

'If there is a safe box, open it,' she revealed. 'Maybe you're lucky and the previous guest forgot their millions.'

Or - be a good Samaritan and report any leftover items to the hotel staff.

It is also important to check it works as it should for your own belongings before tucking anything away. 

Barbara has been in cabin crews for over a decade, most recently with Vueling based in Barcelona

According to the hotel regular, some guests use kettles to wash underwear, cook food, or even clean their menstrual cup

Look inside the kettle 

Northing's better than a cup of tea after a long day of planes, trains and automobiles. 

However, like the bed and safe, you should check your kettle, too.

Barbara said: 'Always take a look inside the coffee pot. Before boiling water for making a tea or coffee, think it through.

'It is said that some guests use the boiling jar for weird stuff, as washing underwear, cooking sausages or even cleaning the menstrual cup!

'You weren't expecting this one, right? Just imagine how many other things guests do and we don't know.'

What you can and can't take with you

The former flight attendant also revealed what you should and should not take from hotel rooms, with some shocking revelations about what some travellers try to get away with

She said that some guests even try to rush off with pillows, light bulbs or batteries from appliances - all prohibited

Barbara has also heard of guests taking things from hotel rooms, which has left her shocked.

She said: 'Some people think that everything that is in the room is free, or as they paid so expensive they have the right to take it. [sic]

'The batteries from the remote control or worse, the light bulbs from the lights.

'Yes, they unscrew them and take them home.

'The coffee or tea bags are complimentary, but the mugs aren't!

'Stationary and pencils are complimentary as well - but the pillows aren't.

'You wouldn't believe how many guests take the hotel pillows home.

'And how many people have hotel towels at home? A lot.'