Many hotels are marketed as a home away from home. The only difference is the guests front door isn’t always open like the hotel and the front desk clerk cannot distinguish a guest from a culprit. There have been many occasions when travelers have found their room occupied upon receiving their room key and being followed to their hotel rooms. The tricks listed below employ common sense precautions for a safe hotel stay.
Checking Into The Hotel
Upon checking in, ask the clerk not to announce your room number. Have them write it down instead. Room numbers are a matter of security and not public knowledge. Ask the front desk clerk for a business card. This way the hotel’s address and phone number are easily accessed when sightseeing or conducting business. Also, choose a room between the fourth and sixth floors. Rooms at the ground level or close to it are more prone to outside predators and rooms fire engines ladders tend not to extend above the sixth floor.
Room Security
Always make a visual check of the room. Get inside the room and look everywhere. Pull away the shower curtain, open the closets, make sure windows and adjoining rooms door are locked and look under the bed. Once the room is clear, lock the door with the deadbolt and/or chain lock if available. Always, use the peep hole if there is a knock at the door. Hotels do not remit personnel unless requested by guests. If there is an unsolicited knock, alert the front desk immediately to double check. In order to keep important documents safe, make copies of the front and back and keep them in a hidden compartment of luggage. Do not leave the originals in the room unattended.
General Hotel Safety TIps
- When leaving the room, hang the “Do not Disturb” sign and leave the TV on at a moderate volume. At night, leave the light on and the drapes partially parted. These tricks will give the impression that the room is occupied.
- Become familiar with the fire exit map that’s behind the door. How many doors until the exit is reached?Parking garages should take guests up to the lobby only and not the guest floors.
- When outside by the pool or sightseeing, do not display the room key. An observant miscreant can use the room number to run up charges.
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