Last week I checked into a small Marriott hotel on the outskirts of Boston and for the first time in my life I had to request a new room. There was nothing wrong with the suite itself but if location is everything then this room was an absolute disaster.
Located on the ground level, the room was the very last door in the hallway and right next to the exit door to the parking lot. The room's window also faced the parking lot - not only could a reckless driver crash right into my window but I could just imagine being disturbed by revving engines and glaring headlights. The bottom line is that I did not feel safe in that room. My Mom always told me to follow my intuition so I marched back to the front desk and politely yet firmly requested a new room. Five minutes later I was happily cocooned in a second floor room in the middle of the hallway.
It is easy to let your guard down in a hotel because even the no-frills and budget chains provide some degree of pampering. However, women traveling alone can be easy targets in a hotel. I checked out the Wyndham Women On Their Way website, the hotel industry's first website for women travelers, for some more tips on hotel safety for female travelers. Some of their tips include:
Added Security: A small rubber doorstop is a 'must' in your luggage when traveling. Place it under your hotel room door and it will deter the strongest of unwanted visitors.
Do not use room service breakfast door hangers - they require you to note the number of guests staying in your room. You don't want anyone to know you are alone.
Call the desk to confirm hotel employees claiming work orders for repairs in your room.
Order room service for two, take two keys upon check-in and do not allow room number to be announced.
To ward off unwanted male attention, especially in some foreign countries, single women should wear engagement or wedding rings and make hotel reservations as if married.
When away from your room, leave the radio turned on and the door hanger with the message 'Do Not Disturb'. This may discourage people from entering
Click here to view the complete list of hotel safety tips from Women On Their Way by Wyndham Worldwide.
