How To Identify A Two-Way Mirror In A Hotel Room

You've finally reached your hotel room and just want to take a shower and change, but you can't shake off this eerie feeling; it's like you're being watched or just a general feeling of being unsafe. While it is rare, there are instances of people finding hidden cameras or two-way mirrors in their hotel rooms. Here's how to protect against hidden cameras and what to do if you find them, but we're here to talk about two-way mirrors. If you're feeling uneasy and want to check your mirrors, there is one hotel safety tip that you should never ignore.

The first way to check your mirrors is by using the fingernail test. All you have to do is place your fingernail on the surface (like you're poking the mirror) and check to see if there's a gap between your nail and its reflection. If there is, you have nothing to worry about. However, if you find the reflection is directly touching your real fingernail, this could be an indication that you are dealing with a two-way mirror. Unfortunately, this isn't a full-proof test (some two-way mirrors still have a gap), so further checks need to be made. Read on to help you identify the type of mirror in your hotel and practical tips to test out if your mirror can be seen through. 

What is a two-way mirror? It's simply just a piece of glass that is reflective on one side and transparent on the other. It could be any mirror found in the bathroom, in the closet, or even in the bedroom. As perverted as it sounds, these mirrors allow someone to observe and look into the room unnoticed from the non-reflective side. 

Why are these mirrors even necessary? Well, they do have legitimate uses that have proven quite useful. Think of the mirrors used for law enforcement while questioning a suspect or witness in an interrogation room — a two-way mirror allows other people to observe without being seen. These mirrors also offer security for homes. For example: Homeowners can hide security cameras, valuables, and even a safe behind a two-way mirror. But two-way mirrors aren't just about security. They also offer an aesthetic: You can put a TV behind one so that the TV is hidden when it's not turned on.

One thing to know about two-way mirrors is that they require specific lighting to be able to function. As long as the secret observer's side is darker than the reflective side, the mirror will become see-through and work as intended. With this in mind, another recommendation (apart from the fingernail test) is to switch off the light in the room to make it dark and then shine a flashlight at the mirror to send light to the other side. If you see something behind the mirror, then you've probably got a two-way mirror on your hands. Next, you should check the mirror's mounting; two-way mirrors will be set into the wall rather than hung, lacking a gap between the mirror and the wall. That said, sometimes wall-mounted mirrors are a personal preference in design. 

One other test you can perform is known as the cupping method. Simply create a cup around your eyes with your hands and press against the glass. With a one-way mirror, you will only see your reflection. However, with a two-way mirror, you might just uncover a lot more. Last but not least, you can try the tapping and sound tests to figure out the nature of the mirror. Keep in mind that a regular mirror will produce a dull tap, as it is wall mounted and has a thick wall behind it. Whereas a two-way mirror will produce an open sound, indicating that there is a hollow space behind it. Unfortunately, two-way mirrors aren't the only hotel secret that travelers are kept in the dark about.