Reality television personality and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel has publicly stated that a serious bacterial infection she developed on her face during a New Year's holiday in St. Barts was caused by using hotel towels.
Celebrity Holiday Cut Short by Health Scare
The 55-year-old former star of 'The Real Housewives of New York City' was compelled to abruptly end her Caribbean getaway with her 15-year-old daughter, Bryn Hoppy. The trip, which included socialising with high-profile figures like Lauren Sanchez, Glen Powell, and Alix Earle, was overshadowed by medical and personal crises.
Frankel's early departure was prompted by the painful facial infection and the devastating news of her close friend, makeup artist Jason Kaplan, who died by suicide on New Year's Eve. In a recent TikTok video where her rash had cleared, Frankel directly attributed her condition to contaminated linens, revealing her daughter had suffered a similar issue in the past.
A Stern Warning About Hotel Hygiene
Frankel issued a stark warning to her followers about the potential dangers lurking in seemingly clean hotel rooms. She humorously dismissed the notion of a 'towel fairy' who instantly cleans linens after each guest, describing a less-than-sanitary reality behind the scenes.
'Hotel linens are first tossed in bins with food and beverage and heat and God knows what,' she explained, emphasising that even well-cleaned towels harbour bacteria. She cited advice from both a dermatologist and a facialist to support her claims.
Her caution extended to personal beauty tools, noting that makeup sponges, powder puffs, and brushes are also prime breeding grounds for germs. 'I will never, ever in my life use a hotel towel or a sheet again,' Frankel declared, while acknowledging the impossibility of living 'inside a bubble'.
Reflections on a Bittersweet Escape
Despite the turmoil, Frankel reflected on finding meaningful moments during her truncated holiday. She described St. Barts during the peak season as 'the Hunger Games of holiday socialisation', a 'harsh reality' overrun by billionaires and superyachts.
She expressed discomfort with the prevalent mindset, stating others seemed preoccupied with where they 'should be' rather than being present. Socialising with individuals she felt had 'bad morals' left her with persistent anxiety.
Ultimately, at 4:00 am on January 1st, she and her daughter decided to flee to their home in Florida. They found genuine happiness celebrating with their 'puppies', a stark contrast to the glamorous but stressful island scene. Frankel concluded that true joy comes from within and the company you keep, not from extravagant settings or plans.
