Hotel Safety Over the Holidays

The holiday season is typically a time of joy, celebration, gatherings with friends and family, and often travel.  Amid the excitement (or stress, depending on your holiday spirit), it is crucial to address a matter that is often overlooked: hotel safety.

Hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, airbnbs, and the like, all serve as temporary homes for many travelers, intending to provide a “home away from home,” comfort, and security.  I for one always enjoy arriving at a hotel, superficially associating all hotels with vacation, relaxation, and a break from my daily routine.

However, the instances of sexual assault or harassment on hotel premises that I have encountered in my practice underscore the need for all of us to be aware of hotels’ unique risks and take proactive measures next time we check-in.  As a personal injury attorney dedicated to protecting individuals in contexts where they are particularly vulnerable, I would like to share with you the potential dangers of hotels and the steps you can take to mitigate risks to your safety.

Understanding the Risks

Hotels, ideally, provide a secure environment for guests, but instances of sexual assault or harassment by hotel employees or third parties do occur.  Factors that contribute to the risks to personal safety at hotels include:

Lack of Security Measures

Inadequate security, faulty locks, or insufficient surveillance systems may compromise guest safety.  Upkeep at hotels may not always address security concerns such as broken door locks and inadequate parking lot or hallway lighting,

Isolation and Privacy

The corridors and rooms in many hotels are isolated and private.  Hotel guests may experience a false sense of security when staying alone or in unfamiliar surroundings.  Even though guests may feel safe in their rooms, inside the hotel, or in the parking lot, they are at risk from those who know these areas are isolated and seemingly safe.

Unverified Guests or Employees

Hotels witness a continuous flow of unfamiliar guests entering and exiting their premises.  Especially during the holidays, an influx of travelers and visitors may heighten the safety risk to guests.  Poor screening of guests and visitors or lax employment background checks may expose those staying at hotels to threats.  

Tips for a Safe Stay

Empowering hotel guests with knowledge and precautionary measures may reduce the likelihood of incidents during their stays.  Here are some suggested safety measures:

Research and Choose Wisely

Look for hotels with positive reviews emphasizing guest safety.  If possible, stay at a reputable hotel with robust security measures.  Avoid staying where guest reviews cite unsafe premises, broken locks, or other safety risks.  View not only the gallery photos of the hotel on its website but reviewers’ photos for an accurate depiction of the place.  Take the time to vet the hotel you stay at, even if that means planning your stay in advance as opposed to pulling over spontaneously during a long drive.

If you are traveling alone, make sure your family or friends know where you are staying.

If you feel uncomfortable for whatever reason when you arrive at your hotel, trust your gut and stay somewhere else. 

Room Review

Make sure all safety features (locks, peephole, window locks, phone, etc.) in your room are intact and functional.  If your room is near an entrance to the building, ensure that that door is properly secure.  Do not hesitate to ask for a different room if you feel that your room is missing any of these key safety features.  Report any security issues to the hotel.

Walk the room to familiarize yourself with it and check for anything suspicious.  You also want to be sure you are the only person in the room upon your arrival.  Avoid ever being in your hotel room alone with a hotel employee, even if seemingly innocuous (to show you the room or address a concern).  If someone helps you with your bags, request that the bags be left at your door rather than inside your room.  

When you are in your room, even if only momentarily, make sure the door closes behind you and use the latch and deadbolt. 

Stay Vigilant and Be Discrete

Report any suspicious persons or defects to the hotel.  Be aware of where your room is located in the complex and the exits, entries, and stairwells nearest to you. 

Be careful about stating your hotel room number aloud.  You never know who may be listening to your conversations on or near hotel premises.  When communicating with hotel employees, use your last name to identify your room number so that your room number is not heard by others in the hotel lobby.

Utilize Safety Devices

Do not rely entirely on the hotel’s safety features.  Carrying personal safety devices like a personal alarm is an additional layer of security.  Hotel-specific personal safety devices may include a portable door stopper or an additional lock.  Make sure you have communication devices readily accessible, whether that be your personal cell phone or the hotel phone.

Enjoy Your Stay Safely

Do not let the fun, relaxation, or excitement of holiday travel be overshadowed by concerns for your safety.  By understanding the above risks and taking proactive steps as suggested, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability while staying at hotels during any time of year. 

Make the above tips your habits and enjoy your next stay.