Bethenny Frankel Vows Never to Use Hotel Towels or Sheets Again After Bacterial Infection

Bethenny Frankel is taking a firm stance on hotel hygiene after a recent health scare. The Real Housewives of New York City alum revealed in a new TikTok video on Thursday, Jan. 15, that she contracted a bacterial infection while vacationing in St. Barths. Frankel, 55, said she believes the infection came from hotel towels, prompting her to swear off hotel linens entirely.

A Rash That Sparked Concern

Frankel explained that her face broke out in a red, bumpy rash during her trip. Initially, speculation online suggested she had contracted “facial chlamydia,” but Frankel quickly clarified that such a condition does not exist. “The internet is a very scary place,” she said. “I had a bacterial infection from towels.” Her daughter Bryn, who had experienced a similar issue before, recognized the symptoms. “It happened once to my daughter. She was the one who recognized it when it happened to me, and it started to happen to her. Towels hold bacteria, so do sheets,” Frankel added.

Why She’s Done With Hotel Linens

Frankel described the unsanitary conditions she believes hotel towels and sheets endure before being washed. “If you’ve ever been behind a hotel looking for your kids’ blanket and seeing those disgusting bins of towels and linens, it’s not like the second that you take your towel, even in the best of hotels, it immediately gets washed,” she explained.

Instead, she claimed the linens are stored in bins with food, beverages, and heat before cleaning. “It just is not sanitary in any situation,” she said. Her dermatologist and facialist confirmed that even a well-cleaned towel can still harbor bacteria. Frankel compared hotel towels to makeup sponges and brushes, which can retain bacteria despite regular cleaning.

Looking Ahead

Frankel concluded her TikTok by saying she will “never, ever” use hotel towels or sheets again. When asked by a fan how she plans to travel without them, she replied, “Researching this.” The video followed her viral Instagram post on Jan. 4, where she shared vacation photos and revealed she was battling a bacterial infection. In that post, she included a close-up of her rash, sparking widespread concern among fans. Despite the ordeal, Frankel kept her tone lighthearted, joking that she had become the “unpaid spokesperson” for a condition that doesn’t exist. Still, her message was clear: hotel linens are off-limits for her going forward.