When travelers seek solace in a hotel room, the last thing they expect is an impromptu wildlife encounter. Yet, tales abound of guests finding themselves face-to-face with an array of creatures, from the slithering to the scaly, and even the aquatic. While some establishments offer curated experiences where animals are part of the allure, such as sleeping near lions or feeding giraffes, many incidents of unexpected cohabitation are purely by chance. These surprising moments, often shared on social media, reveal a fascinating, and sometimes frightening, intersection of human habitation and the natural world, prompting both distress and unforgettable anecdotes.

Unforeseen Fauna: Tales of Uninvited Hotel Guests

In various corners of the globe, hotel guests have been startled by surprising inhabitants. In 2019, at the Hampton Inn Memphis-Walnut Grove/Baptist Hospital East in Memphis, Tennessee, Melinda Major woke to discover a green garden snake stretched across her arm. Though harmless, the serpentine presence caused understandable panic. Hotel staff swiftly intervened, and Major received compensation for her unsettling experience. Similarly, on New Year's Eve 2020 in Doncaster, England, a kingsnake was found in an unnamed hotel room. The RSPCA speculated it might have escaped from a guest's luggage. In another instance in 2017, a 5-foot reticulated python was left behind by its owner at the Residence Inn Worcester in Massachusetts, later discovered by cleaning staff in a drawer.

Mexico has its own share of unexpected visitors. In June 2025, a TikTok user, @itsmissohio, documented her shock at finding a coati lounging on her bed in a Mexican hotel room. These intelligent, raccoon-like animals are prevalent in the Riviera Maya region and are known for their scavenging habits. Reports from other travelers, including a TripAdvisor review for the Grand Riviera Princess resort, describe coatis as an \"absolute nuisance,\" capable of opening sliding doors and raiding bags for food. While captivating, it's crucial to maintain a safe distance from these creatures.

The southern United States, known for its alligator population, has also seen these formidable reptiles turn up in unusual places. In June 2025, a tourist at the Budget Host Alexandria in Virginia called emergency services after spotting an alligator outside their room. It turned out the alligator, named Toby, had an owner who was subsequently asked to leave. A particularly memorable event occurred in March 2025 at the Pine River Motel in Cheboygan, Michigan. Gary, the motel manager, discovered a 3-foot alligator named Wally in a recently vacated room. Wally, a friendly reptile showcased at local schools, was soon reunited with his owner, who had unknowingly left him behind.

Perhaps one of the most charming, yet unexpected, encounters involved a sleepy seal. In early 2025, in Vlissingen, a Dutch coastal town, a grey seal ambled from the beach into a hotel room at Pier 7, seeking a nap. Security footage showed the marine mammal making its way indoors through an open door, leaving a trail of sand. The guest, returning with her dog, found the seal peacefully slumbering. Rather than attempting to move it herself, she wisely contacted animal rescuers, who safely returned the seal to its natural habitat.

Reflecting on Our Shared Spaces: Lessons from Uninvited Guests

These fascinating anecdotes underscore the delicate balance between human expansion and the natural world. As we venture into diverse environments, we inevitably intersect with local wildlife. While some encounters are planned, the unexpected ones serve as potent reminders of nature's unpredictable presence. They teach us the importance of respecting wildlife, maintaining distance for both our safety and theirs, and the need for hotels, particularly in natural habitats, to implement robust measures to prevent such occurrences. Ultimately, these tales, whether amusing or alarming, enrich our understanding of the world and the remarkable creatures with whom we share it, fostering a greater appreciation for responsible tourism and environmental awareness.