When you enter a hotel lobby, your mind is likely on checking in, managing luggage, and finding the elevators. But one thing you probably overlook is the contaminated surfaces you touch before reaching your room. "Think of hotel lobbies the same way as hospital waiting rooms," said Jason Tetro, a microbiologist and author of "The Germ Code." "They are filled with people passing time ... [and are] the perfect place for germs to spread."
Study Reveals Germiest Hotspots
A recent study examined contaminated surfaces and infection risk in common hotel lobby areas, including the check-in counter, elevator, lounge, bar, office spaces, gym, and restroom. "This study showed that just a couple of heavily used surfaces can quickly spread germs around a hotel lobby," said Dr. Kelly Reynolds, an environmental scientist at the University of Arizona's College of Public Health. "Because so many people touch the same spots, germs can jump from hand to hand, to face, and even to food."
Elevator Buttons: Top Germ Spreader
The study found that elevator buttons received about a third of all touches. "They serve as a central hub, a super-spreader site, connecting people to other parts of the lobby and spreading germs easily," Reynolds explained.
Other High-Touch Surfaces
The front desk counter ranked second for the most touches, followed by tabletops, bar tops, and buffet countertops in food service areas. "Because people tend to touch their mouths while eating, germs could easily travel from hands to food," Reynolds said. Entry door handles from parking garages are also risky, as germs can enter from outside. The study placed a harmless virus there and found it spread to about half of all targeted surfaces.
Bathroom door handles, though less touched, can spread harmful fecal bacteria if users don't wash hands properly. Upholstered chairs are often overlooked during cleaning and difficult to disinfect due to porous fabrics.
What Germs Are Lurking?
"You'll see viruses causing respiratory infections like flu, RSV, COVID, and the common cold," said Dr. Shira Doron, chief infection control officer for Tufts Medicine. Bacteria causing food poisoning, such as salmonella and campylobacter, are more likely in food areas or bathrooms. Norovirus, a stomach bug, also lurks in bathrooms. "You would certainly find skin microbes like Staphylococcus," Tetro added, which can cause staph infections ranging from skin boils to severe illness if it enters deeper tissues.
How Likely Are You to Get Sick?
Infection risk depends on the germ type, cleaning protocols, and your immune system. The "minimal infective dose" varies: norovirus requires just one particle, E. coli about 100,000, flu about 1,000, and COVID or cold about 50. Hotel cleaning matters: "Using effective disinfectants on high-touch surfaces can reduce infection risk by over 97%," Reynolds said. A healthy immune system—supported by regular exercise, good sleep, nutritious food, and stress management—can fight off many germs. Compromised immune systems increase risk.
Precautions to Avoid Getting Sick
"When I'm in a hotel lobby, I touch surfaces like credit card machines and elevator buttons, but I'm careful not to touch my face without washing hands," Doron said. Tetro recommends carrying a hand sanitizer with 62-70% ethanol, using enough to keep hands wet for 20 seconds. Proper handwashing with soap and water for 15 seconds is also effective. "A lot of people forget to scrub their fingertips, which contact surfaces first," Doron noted. Moisturizing hands regularly counteracts drying effects and maintains healthy skin, which helps prevent infections.
The bottom line: Even after touching an elevator button pressed by hundreds before you, taking less than a minute to wash or sanitize your hands can make all the difference.
