Traveling and staying at hotels may put you at risk for a number of different attacks, both physical and financial.
Here at Hotel Engine, we take extra steps to find safe hotels that strongly limit these risks. We also encourage you to take common-sense precautions.
This guide will help you protect yourself and your belongings while staying in a hotel. If you’re a travel manager or frequent traveler, add these step by step instructions to your policy documents to make sure you’re always booking and staying in safe hotels.
Travel managers may want to link this checklist in their travel policy documents.
Are you ready to check off some boxes?
1. Choose your Hotel Wisely
A report done by Cornell University in 2009 shows that bigger and more upscale hotels have the highest safety ratings. Your best bet is to book hotels that best meet those standards within your company budget.
When deciding on a hotel, the natural approach is to research based mainly on the price and proximity to your destination.
To ensure hotel room safety and avoid scams, it is advised that your research goes a little deeper.
What type of neighborhood is the hotel in?
You can get a good idea of the neighborhood by looking at the satellite and street view through Google Maps.
It can also be helpful to read reviews from others who stayed there. If they complained of noise or a less-than-welcoming neighborhood, it probably isn’t your best bet.
What security measures do they have?
Ensure that you or your team members are safe by finding out what the hotel security plans include.
Look for a property with these security measures at a minimum:
- 24-hour staffed lobby
- Security cameras in public areas
- Digital room keys and other room technology
- A well-lit exterior
- Gated and locked rear and side entrances
2. Ask for a specific room
Instead of simply booking a room based on the size or number of beds, ask for a specific room. Some rooms have a lower potential for danger.
Choose the right level
Rooms on the ground floor and the second floor are the most prominent targets of crime since they are easiest to get into and out of. You’ll want to stay away from these floors if you can.
Floors above the fifth level are harder to get out of in case of emergency or fire, so you don’t want those either.
Ask for a room on floors three to five since they are located in the sweet spot, further away from ground floor access but not so far away that it takes too long to get out if necessary.
Choose the best room location
To find the best room, look at a hotel layout map. Most hotels provide this online.
Find the fire escape routes and fire exits. Choose rooms closer to emergency exits, stairwells or elevators to make for an easier escape plan.
If the rooms have balcony access, you’ll also want to choose rooms with the most outdoor lighting. Most ill-intentioned individuals strike in the darkest areas.
Related reading: 16 Must-Know Corporate Travel Safety Tips
3. Be discreet when checking in
It is best to be as discreet as possible when you are checking into your hotel and keep corporate travel arrangements confidential.
Don’t tell the front desk your personal information out loud, and ask them to write down your room number instead of telling you.
Some criminals will listen to your room number, wait in the lobby for you to leave and then break into your room.
It’s also beneficial to book online so that you need minimal information exchanged when you arrive, such as your credit card number. If you can, use a virtual credit card so that your primary payment methods aren’t on file. It’s something you can do when you book your hotel through a service like Hotel Engine.
Don’t discuss your itinerary with the hotel staff, as this will tell others when your room will be empty and when you will be alone.
When you have your bags with you — at check in or otherwise — place them between your feet. Many luggage thefts occur during this process when the guest and staff are distracted.
If you can, leave your bigger bags locked and out of sight in the car until you handle the check-in process.
4. Empty your car and park in view
