I’m a plus-size traveller – hotel rooms are too small for me, it’s so frustrating
A PLUS-size TikToker has slammed the difficulties of travelling abroad, venting her frustrations at tiny hotel rooms and restaurant chairs with arms.
Kirsty Leanne from Shropshire, who has 55K followers on TikTok, has made headlines again with her latest videos – after previously attacking RyanAir for their seat sizes.
Now she’s calling out hotels and restaurants in a viral two-part video series called “Plus size travel problems” on her account @kirstyleannetravels.
In the clips Kirsty exposed how plastic restaurant chairs with arms had dug into her thighs leaving sore red marks – and she admitted the flimsy seats had even broken beneath her weight before.
She also spoke out against “chub rub” – the chafing between her thighs from walking around in dresses or skirts in hot weather.
Despite loving staying in hostels, the 29-year-old added that she’s afraid of sleeping on hostel top bunks and beds with slats.
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She said: “Top bunks are terrifying for plus size travellers! Climbing to the top is painful and the fear that you’ll [fall] through is real. You spend the whole night too scared to move.”
In hotel bathrooms, Kirsty slated their cramped size and limited shower space.
She also showed a video of herself trying on a “one-size fits all” bath robe and also complained how hotel towels weren’t big enough for her either.
Not only has travelling left Kirsty in pain and discomfort, but the jetsetter additionally revealed the moments of humiliation she’s felt journeying abroad.
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She said she fears turnstiles and ticket barriers which are narrow for her to fit through.
Other minefields the TikToker has to navigate in a “bigger body” included plastic sunbeds near the pool or beach and not being able to find wetsuits or safety equipment in her size to take part in watersports or activities.
Even sitting down is an issue for Kirsty as she criticised small theatre seats, stools and seats on public transport without enough leg room.
The fashionable vlogger added that she can rarely find souvenirs in her size and constantly worried she would lose her suitcase in a country where it’s hard to find clothes in her size.
The TikToks repeated a fair share of plane-related grumbles as well – such as narrow aisles and middle seats.
Her previous videos slammed RyanAir for her experience as a plus-size traveller and documented how tray tables wouldn’t go down and bathrooms on flights were “unusable”.
Kirsty however discovered and raves about seat belt extenders which she also brings on flights as a plus-size passenger.
Among her list of must-haves when travelling, she also included a portable fan, extra-large sized towel and adjustable shoes to ease foot swelling.
Trolls on social media have been sharp to lash out at Kirsty’s travel videos attacking her weight.
And Kirsty, who blogs at Plus Size Travel Too, said there “hasn’t been a day over the last six weeks” where she hasn’t received a nasty message.
She said: “It doesn’t bother me when I get one or two, but it when I get comments in the masses it really can start to affect me.
“My whole business is about showing plus size people that they don’t have to lose weight to enjoy themselves and it can be hard to portray that message when I’m told on a daily basis that it’s not true.”
Some of the insults on Kirsty’s videos tell her she should be banned from flying with others suggesting she get salmonella from raw chicken to help her lose weight.
Luckily, the insults and jibes haven’t dampened the TikToker’s love of travel or her desire to spread positivity to other plus-size travellers online.
At the end of each video in her recent series, Kirsty wrote moving messages with the similar spirit.
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One read: “Although there are lots of problems you may come across while travelling in a bigger body, it’s SO worth it!”
While the other added: “I promise that even though it may seem stressful, the only trips I’ve regretted were the ones I didn’t take. It’s so so worth it.”