grim

From finding pants on the floor to a blood-stained sheet on the bed, there’s a lot that can go wrong when staying in a hotel – but there’s one thing I always check before using

The hospitality sector is known for its gruelling demands, with long hours and erratic shift patterns, making anyone in the industry a true unsung hero in my book. It’s a tough gig, with intense time constraints, so it’s hardly surprising that occasionally things can get overlooked when it comes to preparing hundreds of rooms before the 3pm check-in on a busy Friday night.

I’ve discovered everything from discarded underwear on the floor, a half-drunk bottle of water in the fridge, a dirty dressing gown and a blood-stained sheet after checking into my supposedly clean hotel room at various hotels. While these areas are easy to spot at a glance, there’s one thing I always meticulously inspect and clean whenever I enter a hotel room – the glassware.

Most of us have checked into a hotel room to find a complimentary tea and coffee setup waiting for us. However, during my time working in the hospitality industry, I’ve discovered that not all hotels thoroughly clean their mugs before the next guest arrives, which is rather revolting.

On several occasions, I’ve seen housekeepers simply rinse the mugs in the bathroom sink, give them a quick wipe with a cloth, and then place them back on the table ready for the next guest. While this might remove any leftover coffee or tea residue, it doesn’t quite suffice for properly cleaning a mug that’s used repeatedly by guests.

This applies to the water glasses perched on the sink or bedside table, too – a quick rinse and Bob’s your uncle! Now, I’m not suggesting that every hotel is guilty of this, but based on my own experiences, I tend to be a bit sceptical.

So, with every hotel check-in, I now make it a point to inspect the glassware and give it a good rinse with boiling water from the kettle as a precautionary measure, and a dab of hand soap doesn’t hurt either. After all, I don’t want to be that guest who insists on a fresh mug and glass just in case they haven’t been properly cleaned; a simple DIY sterilisation is enough to set my mind at ease.

But I do empathise with the housekeepers. They have a lengthy checklist of cleaning tasks ranging from changing the bed linen, deep cleaning the bathrooms, hoovering the floor, replacing robes and slippers, wiping down glass and windows, restocking the mini fridge, to meticulously folding countless towels.

Sometimes they barely have a moment to catch their breath, let alone dash down to the kitchen, load the dishwasher and replenish a tray of glasses for each room. They typically have a 3pm deadline for every room, and staff shortages only add to the pressure.

In the past, ABC News conducted an undercover investigation that revealed that housekeeping at 11 out of 15 hotels didn’t replace the glassware when tidying the rooms. Instead, they were simply rinsed in the sink and wiped down with a cleaning cloth or sponge.

To circumvent this hygiene issue, some hotels opt for plastic-wrapped cups, while others insist on their rigorous glassware cleaning practices. However, even if the glass or mug seems spotless and clean, it’s not always easy to be sure.

The next time you settle into a hotel room, consider giving your mug a quick rinse with boiled water as a precautionary measure. If you’re particularly concerned, bring along your own reusable water bottle and request a fresh mug from the hotel bar, because let’s face it, no one fancies pondering over someone else’s lips whilst enjoying their morning brew.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

COPS investigating the deaths of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife have shared more details about the scene that greeted them at the couple’s sprawling home. 

Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were allegedly murdered by their 32-year-old son, Nick, on December 14.

Both deaths have been ruled as a homicide by Los Angeles County medical examiners.

And, both died from multiple sharp force injuries. Only one cause of death has been listed on their reports.

Cops on the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners spoke briefly about the scene at the $13.5 million Brentwood home. 

Dominic Choi said the couple were found in the master bedroom of the home. 

“Officers conducted a thorough search of the residence to determine whether there was any additional victims or suspects,” he said.

“No one else was located.”

Los Angeles Fire Department was among the first agencies to rush to the Reiner home. 

The first call was made at 3:30pm and a unit was requested to respond to a Code two situation, as per dispatch audio obtained by People. 

A code two situation is where trucks respond with lights flashing and no sirens.

This was then upgraded to code three, where crews respond with sirens and flashing lights. 

The Reiners died on December 14, according to the medical examiner’s report.

A masseuse called the couple’s 27-year-old daughter, Romy, on Sunday when they weren’t let into the home. 

She found her dad’s dead body before suddenly charging out of the home, as reported by the New York Times.

Romy didn’t see her mom’s body before learning that she was also dead.

The legendary career of iconic director Rob Reiner

FAMED actor, director and producer Rob Reiner, 78, died on December 14 alongside his wife Michele Singer, 68, in an apparent homicide.

Here is a look at the prodigious list of achievements the Hollywood powerhouse earned before his tragic and sudden death.

Director’s Beginnings

• Reiner was born in New York City on March 6, 1947, to legendary comedy writer Carl Reiner and singer Estelle Reiner
• He studied at the University of California, Los Angeles film school before breaking into the entertainment industry

Hollywood Career

• Reiner first found fame as an actor playing Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the iconic sitcom All in the Family from 1971 to 1979
• In 1984, he directed his first film This Is Spinal Tap – a mockumentary following a fictional heavy metal band
• Reiner went on to direct cult classic films like The Princess Bride in 1987 and When Harry Met Sally… in 1989
• Other notable movies made by the director include Misery, The American President, and A Few Good Men, which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture
• The production company he co-founded, Castle Rock Entertainment, has also produced hits like Seinfeld and The Shawshank Redemption
• Reiner didn’t halt his acting career either, recently starring in The Wolf of Wall Street in 2013 and The Bear in 2025

Personal Life

• Reiner married actress Penny Marshall in 1971 and adopted her daughter, Tracy, from a previous marriage. The couple divorced in 1981
• He met photographer Michele Singer while shooting When Harry Met Sally
• They married in 1989 and had three children: Jake, born 1991, Nick born 1993, and Romy born 1997)
• Nick opened up about his struggle with drug addiction in 2016. The movie Becoming Charlie, directed by Reiner, was based on Nick’s story
• Reiner was an outspoken Democratic activist and a fierce critic of Donald Trump

Nick was arrested near the Expo/Vermont metro station in the Exposition Park area of Los Angeles at around 9:15pm – around six hours after Romy rushed to the scene. 

Around one hour before he was arrested, he bought a Gatorade from an Arco gas station.

He was reportedly fidgety before buying the drink and kept looking behind him.

At around 4am on Sunday, he checked into the Pierside Santa Monica hotel – located around four miles from the family home.

Nick has been charged with two counts of first degree murder. 

Prosecutors are still considering the death penalty. 

Nick made his first court appearance on Wednesday and wore a blue suicide vest. 

He had been on suicide watch while in custody, according to reports.

In the court hearing, he waived his right to a speedy arraignment, and his next scheduled appearance is January 7.

Timeline of Rob and Michele Reiner’s death

Rob Reiner and his wife of Michele Singer Reiner were found dead in their Los Angeles home on December 14, 2025.

Timeline:

• December 13, 2025: Reiner and his wife Michele attended a holiday party on the evening of December 13 with their son, Nick.
• Sources conveyed to The U.S. Sun that the couple and their son were engaged in a heated public argument while at the event.
• December 14, 2025: Reiner and Michele were found dead in their Brentwood home in Los Angeles at around 3:30 pm PST.
• The couple’s daughter, Romy, reportedly discovered her parents’ bodies.
• Online police records show Reiner and Michele’s 32-year-old son, Nick, was arrested at 9:15 pm PST on December 14.
• December 15, 2025: Authorities in Los Angeles announce that Nick Reiner was arrested and charged with murder.
• Nick was booked into a Los Angeles jail at 5:04 am and was being held on $4 million bail, which was later revoked.
• December 16, 2025: Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman formally charged Nick Reiner with two counts of first-degree murder.
• Hochman said his office would consider the death penalty in Nick’s case.
• Nick’s scheduled court appearance on December 16 was postponed due to what his attorney said was a procedural issue.

Nick did not enter a plea at the court hearing.

His lawyer, Alan Jackson, told the lawyer it was “too early” to enter a plea.

Outside court, Jackson later told reporters the case involves “complex and serious issues” that needed to be dealt with “thoroughly and carefully”.

Nick’s siblings, Jake and Romy, described the deaths of their parents as a “horrific and devastating” loss.

“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” they told TMZ.

“They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”

Jake and Romy didn’t mention Nick in their statement.

Nick allegedly killed his parents after attending a Christmas party held on December 13.

But at the shindig, Nick and his dad reportedly had a bust-up, family sources told TMZ. 

Nick also had a tense moment with Bill Hader at the party, according to Page Six.

He reportedly stared at the ex-Saturday Night Live star before storming off.

Nick also quizzed A-listers at the bash, reportedly asking if they were famous.

At the party hosted by Conan O’Brien, Reiner expressed concern for his son’s well-being. 

ADDICTION BATTLES

Nick has been candid about his battles with drug addiction.

His stints in rehab facilities began when he was just 15. 

Nick, also a producer, co-wrote the 2015 film Being Charlie and the inspiration behind it was his relationship with his dad during his addiction.

Charlie, played by Nick Robinson, becomes addicted to drugs and his dad in the movie urges him to get help.

The movie follows Charlie’s battle as he fails at different rehab programs.

“It was very, very hard going through it the first time, with these painful and difficult highs and lows,” Reiner said.

“And then making the movie dredged it all up again.”

Reiner said making the movie with Nick helped the two become closer.

“I said it to his face. I’ll say it on the air: He was the heart and soul of the film and any time I would get an opportunity to work with him I would do it,” he told NPR.