Are You Being Watched? The Ultimate 5-Step Guide to Finding Hidden Cameras in Hotels & Airbnbs (2026 Edition)

Is your privacy an illusion?

You just checked into a charming Airbnb or a slick downtown hotel. You drop your bags, connect to the Wi-Fi, and relax. But a nagging thought creeps in: Am I alone?

It's not paranoia. It's a modern reality. With spy cameras becoming smaller, cheaper, and easier to hide, secret surveillance is a growing global menace. From tiny lenses hidden in smoke detectors to chargers that record in 4K, your private moments could be one click away from being broadcast online.

Don't be a victim. Be prepared. As security experts, we're pulling back the curtain to give you the same professional techniques we use to sweep a room. Here is your definitive, five-step guide to finding hidden cameras and reclaiming your privacy.

Step 1: The "Sherlock Scan" – A Physical Inspection

Before unpacking, you need to think like a voyeur. Where would you hide a camera to get the best view of the bed, bathroom, or living area?

• Turn off the lights: Make the room as dark as possible. This will help you spot indicator lights later.

• Check the "Power Players": Most cameras need a power source. Scrutinize anything plugged into an outlet.

  • USB Chargers & Power Banks: These are the #1 most common disguises. If it looks bulky or out of place, unplug it and put it in a drawer.

  • Alarm Clocks & Digital Radios: Look closely at the face. Can you see a tiny black circle that doesn't belong?

  • Smoke Detectors: Is it positioned directly above the bed? Does it look like a cheap, aftermarket replacement?

• Examine Everyday Objects: Be suspicious of items that seem oddly placed or have small holes.

  • Air fresheners

  • Picture frames

  • Pens in a cup holder

  • Stuffed animals or decorative items

Pro-Tip: If an object looks suspicious, cover it with a towel or put it in a closet. Better safe than sorry.

Step 2: The Flashlight Trick (Finding the "Cat's Eye")

All camera lenses, no matter how small, are made of glass that reflects light. You can use this against them.

1. Make the room pitch black. Close the curtains and turn off all lights.

2. Turn on your smartphone's flashlight (or use a small, powerful tactical torch).

3. Hold the light near your eye level and slowly scan every inch of the room—walls, ceiling, furniture, vents.

4. Look for a glint. You are searching for a tiny, sharp reflection, like a cat's eye caught in headlights. A purple or blueish reflection is a dead giveaway of a camera lens.

Step 3: Seeing the Invisible with Your Phone (Infrared Detection)

Many hidden cameras use infrared (IR) LEDs for night vision. These lights are invisible to the naked eye, but your smartphone's camera can see them.

1. Turn off all the lights in the room.

2. Open your phone's camera app. Crucial: Use the front-facing (selfie) camera, as many rear cameras have IR filters.

3. Scan the room slowly, looking at your phone's screen.

4. Look for a bright light. An infrared source will show up on your screen as a steady white or bright purple light. If you see one coming from a clock, smoke detector, or dark corner, you've likely found a camera.

Step 4: The Wi-Fi Sniff test

Modern spy cameras often stream footage live over the local Wi-Fi network. You can use a free app to see what devices are connected.

1. Connect your phone to the hotel or Airbnb Wi-Fi.

2. Download a reputable network scanner app like Fing (available on iOS and Android).

3. Run a scan of the network.

4. Look through the list of devices. You'll see phones and laptops, but be on high alert for:

   • Generic names like "IP Camera," "Cam," or just a string of numbers.

   • Manufacturer names known for security products (e.g., "Nest," "Arlo," or obscure Chinese brands).

   • Any device you cannot account for.

Note: This method won't find cameras that record to a local SD card, but it catches many of the most common streaming devices.

Step 5: The Mirror Check

Is that full-length mirror in the bedroom just a mirror, or is it a two-way glass with a camera behind it?

• The Fingernail Test: Place the tip of your fingernail against the mirror's surface.

  • If there is a gap between your fingernail and its reflection, it's likely a standard mirror. You're safe.

  • If your fingernail touches its reflection directly with no gap, be very suspicious. It could be a two-way mirror.

What to Do If You Find One

1. Don't touch it. You want to preserve fingerprints and evidence.

2. Document everything. Take photos and videos of the device and its location from multiple angles.

3. Contact the authorities. Call the local police immediately to file a report.

4. Notify the platform. If you're in an Airbnb or hotel, contact their customer support right away.

5. Get out. Do not stay in a room where your privacy has been violated.

Your privacy is not a luxury; it's a right. By being vigilant and using these simple steps, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from prying eyes. Share this guide before your next trip—you might just save a friend from a nightmare scenario.

Stay safe and stay secure. For more expert security advice and global surveillance news, subscribe to the Cleveland Security Cameras blog.