Here’s a list of spots that can be teeming with germs, experts warn — and the steps you should take as soon as you arrive in your hotel room. 

1. Decorative elements

“Having worked in hotels, the first thing I fling off to a far corner of the room are decorative pillows and any decorative runner that goes along the foot of the bed,” Maria Diego, a San Diego, California-based travel adviser, told the travel magazine. 

“These never get washed.”

Duvet covers can also be a collecting place for germs. 

“Most hotels do not wash the big duvet. They only wash the sheets,” a former hotel staffer noted on Reddit last year.

2. High-touch surfaces

Diego said she is also cautious about switches, remote controls, phones, and other major touchpoints.

Los Angeles travel adviser Rani Cheema said hotel room phones disgust her the most. 

“I am grossed out by the receiver,” Cheema said. “No one’s cleaning that.”

Carpets are another culprit. 

Many high-end hotels are now swapping them out for flooring or area rugs, according to Cheema.

3. Bathtubs

Hotel bathrooms are even dirtier than airplanes, studies have found – especially the countertops.

But the tub is also infested with germs, harboring up to 40 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, according to a 2023 investigation by WaterFilterGuru.com.

“I also won’t take a bath in a hotel unless it’s a super-luxe five-star hotel, and only if it’s a non-jet bathtub,” Diego said. 

Jetted tubs can harbor more bacteria and aren’t always disinfected fully, according to experts.

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With those kinds of expectations, lounging by the pool goes only so far. There needs to be a payoff for kids and adults — and those in between. “Teenagers are a special class of their own and require an added layer of entertainment,” said Maria Diego, a mother of three, including a teenager, and founder of Diego Travel, part of the Virtuoso network.

Read the full New York Times Article

Jumby Bay Island Looking for water sports like wakeboarding and tubing? Check. Bike rides, tennis, pickleball and fishing? Check. Villa staff who will organize karaoke nights, scavenger hunts, and pool parties for your gang? All covered. Jumby Bay Island in Antigua is refined yet relaxed, chic yet unpretentious. Nearly everything is included on the island, from meals and drinks to activities to a kids club. Plus, a buzzy new beach club and restaurant called The Hut on Little Jumby is only a three-minute boat ride away.

Ambergris Cay Ambergris Cay is a little-known secret—and it’s a great value, too. Just a 20-minute turboprop plane ride from Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, Ambergris Cay offers one- and two-bedroom beachfront bungalows that are perfect for honeymooners, small families, or solo travelers. For larger groups, the island also has villas with three to 10 bedrooms. Guests get their own golf carts and have access to the beach club, as well as hiking paths, several beaches, tennis and pickleball courts, a state-of-the-art gym and spa, and a boat charter to Hangover Tiki Bar.  

Como Parrot Cay I’d be hard-pressed to find a better beach in the Caribbean than Como Parrot Cay, which is an easy half-hour boat ride from Providenciales and a celebrity favorite for a reason. Lush with pine trees and foliage, Como Parrot Cay offers diverse dining options, activities like kayaking and farm tours, and a range of stays from double hotel rooms to privately owned beachfront residences that sleep up to eight and come fully staffed. The Como Shambhala wellness center, which offers yoga, sound healing, and nutrition resets, is one of the best I’ve experienced in the Caribbean.

Mustique Island Located in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and a long-time favorite of the British royal family, Mustique has a certain mystique to it. The island offers stays at the 17-bedroom boutique hotel, The Cotton House, as well as two- to 10-bedroom villas. Don’t miss cocktails and dancing at the legendary overwater Basil’s Bar, or horseback riding at the equestrian center. Mustique is worthy of a trip of its own, but it can easily be combined with the nearby islands of St. Lucia, Barbados, or Martinique.

Moskito Island At Moskito Island in the British Virgin Islands, expect a thrilling, activity-packed vacation. Guests can rent a handful of villas with up to nine bedrooms each. Celebrate big with a daytime waterslide and a nighttime DJ . For water sports fans, there’s kitesurfing, tubing, and wakeboarding, Other private experiences include tennis, guided hikes, personal training, and cooking classes. Whatever floats your boat, the accommodating staff will make it happen.

Maria Diego is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in U.S. and Caribbean trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Diego by contacting her at maria@diegotravel.com.  

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“I’d take a cocktail with my toes in the sand and a stunning sunset, over a crowded city bar any day. And Rosewood Kona Village’s Shipwreck Bar nails it.” — Maria Diego, Diego Travel

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I called my son, but nothing could tear him away from the window of our turboprop plane. Even though we were at 20,000 feet, the turquoise water below was so clear he could practically spot schools of fish. 

This trip to Turks and Caicos had been in the works for years, after we canceled our initial plan three years before due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But now, as we landed at Ambergris Cay, a gorgeous private-island resort that had only recently opened, it occurred to me that the positive test had turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Obviously, we wouldn’t have been able to come to Ambergris Cay back then and, more importantly, my son, Mikel Kai, was 9 now and old enough to appreciate going on a solo getaway with his parents.

As we stepped off the plane, we were greeted with minty mocktails and a set of keys — we would be driving our own golf cart to our three-bedroom villa, Poseidon. As my son devoured the tropical fruit plate and freshly squeezed juice, I was already scheming to bring the entire family back for a second vacation. That evening, the two of us had a five-course dinner under the stars, surrounded by the light of tiki torches and a bonfire; a guitarist provided the perfect mellow soundtrack. 

My husband, Miguel, joined us the following day, and we were off — exploring the islands by golf cart, by boat, and on foot, with long walks on white-sand beaches to collect sand dollars. 

Next, we checked into the Parrot Cay and Pine Cay, two other private-island resorts reached by boat from Providenciales — or Provo, as the locals refer to the main island. After a blissful massage at Parrot Cay, I retreated to a breezy, shaded area overlooking a lagoon to read my book. I spotted a famous musician, but I didn’t want to disturb her peace or mine. I was later informed by the sales director that this was her fifth visit in six months, and that she relishes the privacy. 

For the final stretch of our trip, we went to Provo. First stop: Amanyara, which offered the ultimate in luxury, with pavilions and villas ranging from two to six bedrooms, all serviced with private chefs and butlers. The wellness facility was expansive, with tennis, pickleball, basketball, and Pilates reformers. I was pleasantly surprised to find how much there was for kids to do at this property, including a sailing academy and scavenger hunts. At the same time, it was perfect for a romantic escape or honeymoons. 

We also stayed at The Palms, The Shore Club, and Rock House. While my husband and son were busy kiteboarding on the opposite Long Bay Beach, I also checked out other properties along Grace Bay. Each island and resort was wonderful, and had its own appeal.

That will make it difficult to decide where to stay when I return to Turks and Caicos with the entire family. 

Maria Diego is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and, as the cofounder of Diego Travel, specializes in U.S. and Caribbean trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Diego by contacting her at maria@diegotravel.com.

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“First and foremost, use a travel advisor. I can’t tell you how often I’m able to get my clients into ‘sold-out’ hotels at the last minute with our relationships.” — Maria Diego, Diego Travel

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For travelers who don’t want to venture too far from Provo, Maria Diego, founder of the agency Diego Travel, is excited to send clients to Ambergris Caye, Parrot Cay and Pine Cay, three private island resorts off Providenciales. “If clients have already been to Turks and Caicos, I highly recommend a return visit to experience this country in a new and exclusive way. The beaches are pristine, they offer privacy and elements of surprise, and the food was great,” she said.

Trending Caribbean experiences

Beyond specific destinations, travel trends for 2025 indicate a shift in how clients want to explore the region. Diego is reporting a rise in clients requesting yacht and catamaran charters for personalized island-hopping adventures. These charters offer flexibility, privacy and the opportunity to explore multiple destinations without the hassle of airports or ferries. Destinations like the British Virgin Islands, the Grenadines and the Exumas are particularly suited to this travel style.

Travelers are increasingly drawn to boutique properties that offer personalized service. Diego spoke highly of Palm Heights on Grand Cayman for its design-forward approach and focus on wellness and gastronomy.

“Any chic, understated boutique hotel that offers a level of style paired with high-touch service will do well in the Caribbean. It’s a hard pair to find, but there are some properties [like Palm Heights] that do this really well,” said Diego.

Read the Washington Post Article

St. Barts

While Diego notes that she wouldn’t recommend St. Barts for a high school graduation trip, it is a special, celebratory destination that could be a good option for those graduating from college. In Diego’s words, it’s an “island that outshines them all,” and if you visit in the late summer (as opposed to the popular winter season), you’ll often see lower prices and fewer crowds. “Eden Rock is always a popular choice if you want to see and be seen, or if you’re looking for more of a hideaway with an ultra-chic clientele and [a] lower-key beach club, I recommend Le Toiny,” she says.

National Park Road Trip

“A road trip is always a great way to celebrate a milestone. We have some of the most beautiful parks and animals on the planet in our own backyard,” says Diego. If you’re planning an extended graduation trip, spread out over several weeks, you could try to plot out some of our nation’s biggest national parks out West— from the Great Sand Dunes to Zion — and check them all off on an epic road trip. But if you’re only planning on traveling for about a week, and you still want to see some impressive wildlife and scenery, head to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, which are about an hour’s drive from one another. Most travelers fly into Jackson Hole Airport, the only commercial airport within a U.S. national park, and use Jackson Hole as their base camp for exploring Grand Teton National Park over a period of two to three days. Yellowstone takes a bit more time; plan on spending three to four days traversing the park and checking off your top highlights and points of interest.

Rwanda

“I think Africa is the perfect option for a graduation trip, particularly gorilla trekking in Rwanda,” says Diego. “In order to do the chimpanzee and gorilla treks, the minimum age requirement is 18, which would be a fantastic age to have this experience.” She also suggests starting your trip at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in the capital of Rwanda: “While extremely sad, it is very educational and sets a context for the entirety of the trip.  Once you see the history of what this small country has gone through, and overcome, it changes you in a very impactful way.  I can’t think of a better gift to share with a young adult than the entire experience that is Rwanda.”

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Experts say: “The Alila is one of the only hotels on the water in the area, with a short hike down to the beach. The pool is on the smaller side, but the hotel has an adults-only vibe even though they do welcome children. I love that the spa at this hotel uses all local skincare products, and everything is organic. The property loans out bikes, so you can take your cruiser through Leucadia, Encinitas and even down to Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach to visit local shops and restaurants. For travelers on a budget, I love sister properties the Sea Bird and Mission Pacific. They’re both Hyatt Prive properties in Oceanside, located on the beach right next to the pier. The small house where Top Gun was filmed is situated right between the two hotels. They both have fantastic dining and pools, but Mission Pacific has a slightly more adults-only vibe and a more modern aesthetic. I also love nearby downtown Carlsbad for exploring beyond Oceanside.” – Maria Diego

Experts say: “My favorite hotel for a Miami babymoon is Four Seasons at the Surf Club, located just south of Bal Harbour in North Miami Beach. This historical landmark underwent a massive renovation with new additions to the original Surf Club, and offers a quiet reprieve to the buzz of South Beach. The spa is phenomenal, the service is arguably the best in Miami Beach (I lived there for 20 years and tried them all), and the aesthetic is old-world chic Floridian.”– Maria Diego

Experts say: “Charleston can be experienced in so many ways, so for a babymoon, I really like the location of Hotel Bennett, which is slightly outside of the central tourist district in downtown Charleston but still walking distance to everything. They also have a rooftop pool, which is a nice place to relax after a day of shopping and dining in Charleston’s fantastic restaurants. I also love Zero George, which is a small boutique hotel that has been beautifully restored in a historical building.” – Maria Diego

Experts say: “For upstate New York, I love Wildflower Farms, a new wellness-oriented Auberge Resorts Collection property. It offers 65 free-standing cottages – perfect for privacy and romance – and it’s also easy to get to from New York City. Troutbeck is another Hudson River Valley favorite, which recently debuted The Barns, a wellness center that offers mamas-to-be both massages and an acupuncture-style facial.” – Maria Diego

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This part is first and foremost, and it means to know your stuff. Every single airline, hotel, and destination (if traveling to another country) has different policies regarding pets. Airlines have limits on the size and breed of the animal, as well as whether they can be in the cabin or need to be in a crate. Hotels, if they allow pets at all, also have restrictions for pets and may or may not allow guests to leave the animal unattended in the room. 

“Call around to the properties and ask those questions,” Maria Diego, a travel advisor at Departure Lounge, told TMR, in terms of what advisors can do when booking travelers with pets. “It’s important to know what their particular policies are.” 

Although traveling with a pet has its challenges, certain destinations are particularly pet-friendly and great for dogs. Diego said more of her clients began bringing their pets on domestic road trips during the pandemic. 

In one case, a client brought their bird along for the ride to Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico – and had very particular requests. 

“I had a client who traveled with her 26-year-old love bird who had certain temperature and human dietary requirements,” Diego said. “[The bird] could only eat filet mignon and carne asada – those were her two meals. I had to call the hotel and see if the room could be climate-controlled and if the chef could cook those things. She also had to have a balcony room for the bird to get fresh air.” 

Diego recommends standalone accommodations near nature preserves or beaches that allow dogs and other pets. Her personal favorites are San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California, and the Montage Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina. 

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According to the IRS, independent contractors (ICs) decide “what will be done and how it will be done.” For many moms, this kind of flexibility is a necessity.

“Prior to working as a travel advisor, I worked remotely on a company that I started with my husband in 2008, which was a Mexico-based tour operation,” said Maria Diego of Diego Travel, an independent affiliate of Departure Lounge. “I needed a career that would allow me the flexibility to always put my kids first, especially because at that time, my husband was still traveling to Mexico every week.” 

Ultimately, travel advising is a job that lets moms be in the driver’s seat.

“You can put as little or as much into this career as you want,” Diego said. “You are in control of your schedule, and how you allocate your time for both work and family life.” 

Diego admits that setting boundaries so that work did not negatively impact her time with her family was difficult for her, but concedes that this is the plight of most working mothers.

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Don’t rely on the airlines’ unreliable luggage handling systems. That’s the advice of travel professionals like Maria Diego, owner of Diego Travel. She’s been advising her clients to buy a tracker like an AirTag and tuck them into a side pocket.

Diego speaks from experience. Her airline lost her husband’s surfboard on a recent trip to Melbourne, Australia.

“After we waited an hour and a half, the baggage desk person had no idea where his surfboard was,” she remembers. But thanks to an AirTag attached to the surfboard, Diego showed the agent the location of the board.

“They got a hold of the right person to have it put on the plane the next day. Had we not had the AirTag, there’s a huge chance the entire trip would have been ruined for him,” she adds.

She sticks to three insurance companies: Allianz, Travel Guard and Travelex. “They’re my three main go-tos for travel insurance,” she says, “but each company offers different levels of coverage.” 

Now comes the hard part: matching your insurance needs to one of the policies you’re considering.

“There is no one size fits all,” she says.

She’s right. Even if you work with a travel agent — and this is worth repeating — you need to take the time to pore over the boring fine print on each policy.

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“One of my favorite places for multigenerational families who may have some non-skiers in the group is St. Moritz, Switzerland. Due to its elevation, it has the longest ski season in the Swiss Alps, yet because it’s a wide valley, it also gets more sunshine than any other ski destination in Switzerland. While there are many great five-star resorts to choose from, we love Badrutt’s Palace for large families, especially over holidays. For New Year’s Eve festivities, a whopping quarter million dollars is spent on the decor alone. Arriving at St. Moritz is an experience in and of itself. Whether you make your way via the Glacier Express train or by private plane, Badrutt’s Palace will pick you up in a car from their complimentary Rolls Royce fleet to transport you like royalty to your accommodations. For a unique experience, don’t miss St. Moritz’ White Turf races. Nowhere else in the world has horse polo and racing on a frozen lake. Night skiing is another unique experience you won’t want to miss. Kids and grandparents can ice skate, go tobogganing, or take horse-drawn carriage rides through the quaint town. Our kids love pizza at Chesa Veglia, an old farmhouse built in 1650 and a St. Moritz staple. For an apres ski experience like no other, visit Paradiso, where they often have designer pop-ups with Gucci or Louis Vuitton. There is no shortage of Michelin experiences in St. Moritz either, and you’ll find premiere shopping for those looking for something to do while the rest are skiing their hearts out down the Swiss Alps.” 

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Tucked away in the seaside town is San Ysidro Ranch, a small resort with just 38 accommodations, each of which has its own private entrance. The beautiful resort is known for its award-winning dining including the Stonehouse, which is “located in the historic 19th-century citrus packing house, with creek views, and a dining experience that feels as if you’ve stepped into the vineyards of Italy,” says Maria Diego, owner and luxury travel advisor at Diego Travel.

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Sea Island offers 5 miles of private beach, luxury resorts and accommodations, and several outdoor activities, including golf, with PGA tournaments having been held on the island.

Maria Diego of Diego Travel agency has seen this location grow in popularity and expects to see more of the same.

“One of my best-selling destinations throughout the pandemic has been Sea Island, Georgia. Located between Jacksonville, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia, it’s an easy drive from Miami/South Florida and the East Coast,” she said.

Sea Island has hotel accommodations and cottage rentals, plus it’s dog-friendly. 

“Since people are looking for extended vacations, this is a great option that offers so many activities for families,” Diego said. There are plenty of golf courses and tennis courts, too. 

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Our Local Business Buzz winner for November is Maria Diego of Diego Travel. After thirteen years in the travel industry, Maria and her husband Miguel started their own travel firm in 2019. They are luxury travel advisors who work with clients and families across our community and from many different schools. Maria loves getting to know people and understanding their stories to better curate travel that speaks to their souls. Her passion is creating unforgettable experiences that turn into life-long memories. Maria also works closely with the C4 Foundation, a non-profit that is near and dear to her heart. The foundation supports Navy SEALS and their families, and Maria assists with their travel needs. Visit Diego Travel’s website to learn more about their services. Maria is eager to save you time while helping you to have the best vacation of your life!

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In federally regulated spaces like airports and on airplanes, masks are mandatory, as well as on regional and local transport like trains and subways. But the actual enforcement at places like hotels is tricky to assess from afar — which is where a travel advisor or agent can be invaluable.

“As a travel advisor, my job is to be able to gauge the comfort level of my client and to know not only the destination, but the properties themselves,” said Maria Diego, co-founder of Miami-based luxury travel agency Diego Travel.

“Who has taken this down time to renovate and innovate versus who has let things deteriorate? I’m able to stay up to date with what the hotels are truly enforcing, because I have access to agencies that are constantly doing site inspections. It’s one thing to put on your website your policies, and it’s another thing to practice it.”

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Ask a professional

A competent travel adviser can help you sort through all questions about taking a summer vacation. Travel agents have had to become therapists during the pandemic, and this summer those skills will be even more in demand.

The first thing I always ask someone during our initial consultation is if the thought of travel will cause them to feel overwhelmed or give them anxiety,” says Maria Diego, owner of Diego Travel. “If their answer is yes, then I suggest they hold off on travel until they feel completely comfortable again. No one will enjoy a vacation with an overwhelming sense of anxiety.”

A travel adviser can help guide you to a destination where you will feel less anxious.

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Then, after our long journey, we arrived at the most spectacular hotel I had ever seen: Carlton Hotel St. Moritz. Because my mom owns Diego Travel, a Virtuoso affiliated travel agency, we were upgraded to a Grand Suite, and I was treated like a princess.

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They may not be able to meet in person, but advisors are sharing their stories where they can, from Zoom calls to Facebook groups. In an Instagram direct message, advisor Maria Diego, founder of Diego Travel Agency, admitted as much.

“I’ve talked to fellow advisors who have said ‘never again,’ regarding working with certain suppliers,” she said. 

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Maria Diego of Diego Travel, one of McCabe World Travel’s newest independent affiliates, tells us it was a video shared at Virtuoso Travel Week of McCabe, Scully and Jenkins Washington that sold her on the agency. 

“My husband and I attended Virtuoso Difference last year with the intention of finding a host agency that would adequately fit our needs to grow our business,” Diego says. “Of the attending host agencies, none of them felt like quite the right fit, but we still felt very strongly that Virtuoso was a vital part of the equation for our clients.”

When she saw the video on the mentorship between the women, she says, “I knew immediately that this was the type of guidance that I wanted, and I admired the fact that all three are strong, leading women in the industry.”

The following week, Diego reached out to McCabe and knew on the spot that she needed to be a part of McCabe World Travel. “Within a few days I was part of their team and on my way to reaching my goals,” Diego says. “The mentorship that she has provided has been invaluable, and her style of working and vision aligns very much with my own.”

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But which one is right for you? I put that question to Maria Diego, owner of Diego Travel, a Florida-based travel agency. She had just finished sending four travel insurance policy options to a client. Diego says you can find travel insurance online, either through a travel insurance site or directly through a travel insurance company. If you don’t hire a travel agency, make sure you read every policy carefully.

She sticks to three insurance companies: Allianz, Travel Guard and Travelex. “They’re my three main go-tos for travel insurance,” she says, “but each company offers different levels of coverage.” 

Now comes the hard part: matching your insurance needs to one of the policies you’re considering.

“There is no one size fits all,” she says.

She’s right. Even if you work with a travel agent — and this is worth repeating — you need to take the time to pore over the boring fine print on each policy.

Read the Washington Post Article