It has come up in the past, and it is here again – how safe is the traveling public when staying overnight in a hotel? We assume that the room we occupy is our sanctuary for the night. It is important to give this statement some serious thought. What hotel will we select, and what room will we accept? It is established that you get what you pay for, well is it? Just because you pay a luxury price does not mean that it is safer.
Where Are the Safe Areas In a Hotel?
Reports indicate that higher floors seem to be safer, well for crime maybe, but what about fire? How does one decide? In the case of crime usually the upper floors are safer, it his harder to get to and difficult to escape from if the job is bungled (like that’s going to happen). My question is: do you, the customer, stop to think about safety when you walk in to your hotel for the night? In a seedy part of town perhaps, but in what is perceived to be a safe place, I doubt it. Do we even stop to look at the door lock? Does it look worn, scratched, old? Does the key card work on the first try? Is the door self-closing? Does it have a dead bolt, and even a chain lock?
Safe Practices Could Save Your Life
I have seen staff knock on guest doors, to provide some service – the irony is that the guest has opened the door too quickly. I don’t believe they bothered to look to see who was knocking on the door. Just because you see a uniform, it does not mean that it is an employee. If the room is ok and you did not ask for any service, be cautious if someone is requesting to enter the room on behalf of the hotel. If you have valuables check them in with the safe deposit box at the front desk. When you leave the room hang out the “don’t disturb sign”. Putting out the sign that reads “please make up room” is a clear sign to the thief that there is no-one in the room.
Is It Worth Paying More for Safety?
Another area of concern is the famous parking lot, it is a haven for quick grab and run robberies. Personally I use the valet service when traveling. In some places, like Los Angeles, the valet fee is $30.00 or more per day. It is a rip off as far as my opinion goes, but considering the crime rate in parking lots that are poorly lit, and not secured very well, you might want to consider it. One hotel at the airport had the guest free parking across the street in an unsecured lot with no lights at night.
If you feel that the room is not to your satisfaction as far as safety issues, complain, get another room, it is better to be safe than become a statistic.
If that doesn’t work call the Expendables – they can fix any problem…
About the Author
Alan Campbell has been in Las Vegas for over 30 years and has worked for the major strip hotels. He has spent some time in California, Los Angeles where he worked for the Radisson and Sheraton hotels. Alan considers the hospitality industry the best job in the world – it is the only place that both king's and Paupers will visit you.
The Hotel Guy
