At a Glance
- Bethenny Frankel says she contracted a bacterial facial rash from a hotel towel in St. Barths
- The Jan. 15 TikTok video blames unsanitary linen handling and vows she will “never” use hotel towels or sheets again
- Her daughter previously had a similar infection, prompting Frankel to research travel bedding options
- Why it matters: The viral clip spotlights hidden hotel hygiene risks and could push travelers to rethink standard amenities
Bethenny Frankel has identified what she believes caused the bacterial infection that marred her St. Barths vacation: a hotel towel. In a TikTok posted Thursday, Jan. 15, the reality star detailed her decision to swear off hotel linens entirely and urged followers to consider the potential health hazards.
The Infection Timeline
Frankel, 55, first hinted at the issue in a Jan. 4 Instagram recap of her holiday trip with daughter Bryn. A close-up photo showed her face covered in red, bumpy irritation. She captioned the post, “dealing with a bacterial infection,” but offered no origin at the time.
Two videos later, the former Real Housewives personality connected the dots. “My entire face broke out in a rash,” she explained, adding that her daughter recognized the problem because she had experienced an identical towel-linked infection years earlier.
Doctor’s Clarification
Addressing social-media chatter, Frankel emphasized a physician recently confirmed “facial chlamydia” is not a medically recognized ailment. “I became the unpaid spokesperson for something that does not exist,” she joked while petting her dog on camera. Instead, she said, the diagnosis was a straightforward bacterial skin infection.
Towel Theory
Frankel claimed hotel towels and sheets often sit in “disgusting bins” mixed with food waste and exposed to heat before washing, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Even a “well-cleaned towel” can retain microbes, she noted, citing her dermatologist and facialist.
She compared the risk to reusing makeup tools:
- Makeup sponges collect bacteria despite washing
- Powder puffs and brushes pose similar dangers
- Regular replacement is the only reliable safeguard
Frankel acknowledged travelers cannot live in a bubble but insisted better precautions are essential.
Travel Plan Pivot
When a follower asked how she intends to travel without hotel linens, Frankel replied, “Researching this.” She offered no product names or methods yet, signaling an upcoming update once she finalizes a portable bedding solution.
Industry Impact
The clip has racked up tens of thousands of likes and thousands of comments, many from users vowing to pack their own towels. Housekeeping associations have not responded publicly, though previous studies have shown improperly laundered hospitality textiles can harbor pathogens.
Frankel closed her video with a final warning: “I will never, ever in my life use a hotel towel or sheet again, so you’re welcome.”
Key Takeaways
- Frankel links her facial rash to a contaminated hotel towel, not an exotic disease
- She cites both personal experience and professional advice to justify avoiding hotel linens
- Followers are asking for practical alternatives, pushing Frankel to explore travel-size bedding options
- The viral moment shines a light on housekeeping standards and could influence traveler behavior
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