Hotels

Here are some things to consider doing. Some items may not be applicable to you.

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Making reservations:

• Ask:
  • Do doors open to an interior hallway vice to an outdoor balcony – criminals would probably be less likely to try to enter your room from an interior hallway
  • Type of locks for the room doors:
  • Self-locking?
  • Dead bolt?
  • Security bar and/or chain?
  • Type of keys they use (stay away from metal keys with room #’s on them) – card keys are best e.g., with magnetic strip – they change the code after each guest
  • Phone in room – which you could use if someone was trying to enter your room
  • 24-hour front desk staffing
• Ask for a room which is not on the first floor, especially if there’s a sliding glass door to the outside, especially if you’re a woman by yourself

Before arriving at the hotel:

• Have dollar bills available for tipping door person, bell hop, etc.

Upon arriving at the hotel:

• Tip the door person and/or bell hop approx. $1.50 per bag, more if they provide extra services
• Ask for a room which is not on the first floor, especially if there’s a sliding glass door to the outside, especially if you’re a woman by yourself
• Ask for a room which is not above the reach of local fire department ladders, e.g., ladder trucks
• Ask what kind of identification the staff carries
• Determine fire excape routes/procedures

While staying at the hotel:

If someone comes to room saying they’re hotel staff:

Before you let them in:

• Call front desk to confirm that they’re supposed to be there

If you expect to make more than a few phone calls using the hotel phone:

• Keep a log (list) of calls you make including day, time, number called, whether call was answered, length of call

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