Women Travel Guide - Women Travel information for the traveler

Travel Tips / Hotel Security
Ladies, if your hotel room comes with a sliding glass door and balcony, ALWAYS, ALWAYS check to be sure it is locked. Twice this week in San Diego, I have found mine to be unlocked when I entered my room -- and the balcony connected to the next room. Don't trust the maid to have locked the door when finished cleaning.

Always, always, always lock all doors and windows including sliding doors. Check each time you re-enter the room -- housekeeping may have unlocked them for one reason or another. Familiarize yourself with the way the locks on the doors and windows work so you can release them quickly in case of an emergency.

Hotels which require room access through a lobby area are infinitely more secure than motels with the access from the outside.

When checking in, ask the desk clerk to write your room number on a piece of paper rather than announcing it. If he/she announces it, immediately ask for a different room.

Avoid getting on an elevator with a strange man. When getting on an elevator, stand by the floor button panel, and look where the "alarm" or "bell" button is.

Don't open your door for anyone, including "housekeeping" or "room service" without verifying that it is truly them. If you haven't called for room service, call the restaurant. Don't open your door.

As soon as you check into your room, walk down the hall in both directions and count the number of doorways to the fire exits in both directions. Do the same on airplanes. This might save your life.

If the locks do not work, call the desk and ask for a new room.

If you feel uneasy about a person in the lobby watching you as you get on the elevator, push several floors above and below your floor (but not the same in both directions) so the person doesn't know where you got off.

Sleep with your low heeled shoes and room key on your nightstand. Carry a small flashlight when you travel, put this on the nightstand as well.

Push a rubber doorstop under your hotel door as an extra barrier.

Don't give your room number to strangers you might strike up a conversation with in a lounge or restaurant, the pool, or fitness center. It is also wise to let men think that you are traveling with a companion who is sharing the room with you.

If you take a cab back to a hotel after a late night dinner/meeting/etc., don't be afraid to ask the driver to wait until you are inside the hotel before he pulls away. Add an extra $1-2 dollars to the tip, and he'll do so with a smile.

If you are trying to park in the hotel lot late at night, and someone is lurking around the lot, park in front of the door in the check-in area and go to the front desk. Ask the clerk to have someone from hotel security meet you in the lot and escort you into the hotel.

Find out if gyms and parking lots are attended.

Women who feel foolish about asking for help/extra security/etc. are women who endanger themselves. Use your gut instinct. If it feels uncomfortable/scary/or "just not right," it probably isn't. Hotel security is there for a reason. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

When someone comes to your hotel room door and you are not expecting anyone, be cautious. Ask who it is and then phone the desk to confirm.

Choose your hotel rooms well: the first floor is definitely out. Once you have a room, lock the doors, and be very careful about opening the door for strangers, even if they claim to be hotel staff. Don't open the door, and call the front desk if you have any questions about the visitor's intentions.

Tell someone, the hotel receptionist, or even, in very dangerous countries, your embassy, your itinerary, and when you should be expected back at the hotel, airport, or other destination.

To discourage thieves, hang out a "Do Not Disturb" sign and leave the television on when you leave your room.

If you want to ward off/prevent unwanted advances from foreign men, try wearing a (fake) wedding/engagement ring.