Are There Hidden Cameras in Your Hotel Room? Here's How to Find Out.

You deserve privacy when you travel. Full stop.

But with the rise of miniaturized surveillance tech, hidden cameras in hotel rooms and vacation rentals are no longer the stuff of paranoia — they’re a real threat. As a private investigator and former FBI Special Agent, I’ve seen how easy it is for bad actors to install surveillance devices in places meant to feel safe.

So, are there cameras in your hotel room? There’s only one way to find out — and it starts with knowing where to look and what to look for.

🔍 The Most Common Places Hidden Cameras Are Found

If someone were trying to watch you without your consent, here’s where they’d hide the camera:

📺 TVs & Clocks

• The frame of the TV or set-top box can conceal a tiny lens.

• Alarm clocks or digital clocks on the nightstand are popular because they naturally face the bed.

  
  

🔌 Outlets & Chargers

• Be suspicious of unfamiliar phone chargers, “smart plugs,” or wall outlets — many conceal camera lenses.

  
  

🔥 Smoke Detectors

• Especially ones mounted directly over the bed or in odd spots.

  
  

🪞 Mirrors & Wall Art

• Some rooms have two-way mirrors or hollow art frames used to hide devices.

• Shine a flashlight to detect unusual reflections or depth behind the glass.

  
  

💨 Air Vents & Thermostats

• Great for wide-angle views and easy to overlook. If something looks off or doesn’t function, check it.

  
  

🛁 Bathrooms

• Yes, even here. Hidden cameras have been found in towel hooks, vents, and toilets.

  
  

🛠 How to Detect Hidden Cameras

You don’t need spy gear to get started. Just be methodical.

✅ Use your phone flashlight to scan for lenses. A camera lens will reflect light differently — often with a bluish or glassy glint.

✅ Scan the room slowly with flashlight with lights off and blinds closed — especially near mirrors, vents, clocks, or other electronics.

✅ Check the Wi-Fi network with an app like Fing to see what devices are connected. Look for anything unfamiliar or camera-related.

✅ Use an RF detector if you travel frequently. These devices pick up on the wireless signals many hidden cameras emit.

🧠 Trust Your Gut

If something feels off, it probably is. Privacy violations like these often start small — an odd plug, a clock that doesn’t tell time, a smoke detector aimed too perfectly at the bed. Most people ignore these signs until it’s too late.

You don’t have to.

🧭 Need Help?

📩 If you're traveling soon and want a checklist of where to look and what to do, send me a DM on Instagram @irregulartuckerwitt or email me at tucker@irregularinvestigations.com.

📍If you’re in Austin, Texas, schedule an in-person consult — I’ll come to your room and sweep it myself. Discreet. No judgment. Just solutions.

You deserve peace of mind.

Stay sharp,

Tucker Witt

Founder, Irregular Investigations