15 Hotel Room Safety Tips Solo Females Can’t Afford to Ignore

Today, I want to share 15 hotel safety tips if you’re planning on traveling solo or business or pleasure.

As I was lucky enough to travel all over the world (and get paid for it!) as an international flight attendant, believe me, I’ve definitely done my time in hotel rooms in almost every country!

But, one thing’s for sure. I never take my own safety and security for granted when staying in hotels, and neither should you.

You see, I’ve worked for airlines both in the UK and in the US who provided us with excellent tips on keeping us safe during our hotel stay.

And now I’m going to share them here with you. It’s oh so easy to get all caught up in the excitement of arriving at a new destination.

I just love to travel and still get a kick out of seeing new places and meeting new people. In fact, this is the point when you’re most vulnerable and often distracted.

So, here are a few hotel room safety tips to remember.

1. Request a non-ground floor room

Here’s the first of our hotel room safety tips. Always request a room that is not on the ground floor. A higher floor is always harder for a burglar and thief to gain access.

2. Your room number shouldn’t be said aloud

To ensure hotel room safety, the hotel clerk shouldn’t say your room number out loud (this is very important for females). If they do, then ask for a different room and make sure they don’t say the room number.

Con-men and thieves have been known to hover around the reception desks.

3. Keep your eye on your luggage

When you’re at the hotel reception keep your luggage near you. It’s easy to get distracted when you’re asked to sign forms, etc. Again, this is where opportunists can grab your luggage and run off with it before you know it.

4. Choose floors from 2 to 5 (if available)

Here’s another really important hotel room safety tips. Most hotels have rooms on multiple floors, sometimes up to thirty, or even more. But keep in mind, should an incident occur, it’s a whole lot easier for the emergency services to reach those floors from the outside than the ones higher up.

5. Check the credit card returned to you is actually yours

Many hotels ask you to produce the same credit card you made the booking with. They may even take it away to swipe it.

That’s fine, but when they return it to you, just make sure it’s yours and put it away quickly. Don’t leave it lingering on the reception where a thief could grab it.

6. Pop a hotel business card in your pocket

It’s easy to forget the address of your hotel when you’re out and about. Not all taxi drivers or bus drivers will know the hotel’s exact location.

Showing them a hotel business card (especially if you don’t speak the language) can get you back safe and sound.

7. Count the number of doors to your nearest emergency exit

OK, before you even arrive at your hotel room I want you to take a good look around and make sure you note where your nearest emergency exit is. This usually is a sign with a green background (sometimes red) showing a man running.

Now, as you walk to your hotel room you should count the number of doors to your nearest emergency exit. Why? Well, if a fire should break out the whole corridor could be filled with thick dense smoke.

The only way you’ll get to safety is to crouch down and count the doors to the exit. This tip could actually save your life.

8. Check the room is empty before you enter

One of the most important hotel room safety tips you need to absolutely do BEFORE you close the room door.

As a woman on your own, you need to ALWAYS leave the door open while you go in. You can put your case or travel bag up against it as you enter and check the room is empty.

We were always advised to check the room, the bathroom (look behind the shower curtain). Open the closets and check behind doors.

It may seem over the top, but you can never be too careful in a strange place. Better to be safe, than sorry, right?

9. Report any damage immediately

Take a couple of minutes to check for any damage. You don’t want to get the blame (and charged) for the previous guest’s mishaps.

10. Check the locks

If the door has a deadbolt or a chain on the inside, make sure they work. This is your only way of staying safe and secure, especially at night. Report any faults immediately to reception. If they can’t fix it, request a different room.

11. Use a doorstop

Another tip I picked up while working for the airlines was to always keep a rubber doorstop in my luggage. I popped it under the door at night and it made me feel more secure. In the event of an emergency, it can quickly be removed.

12. Mini flashlight

Keeping a little mini flashlight by your bed isn’t a bad idea. Depending on where in the world you’re staying, electrical blackouts can sometimes happen.

Having a little torch or flashlight can come in handy, especially in strange surroundings.

13. Always lock up your valuables

If the hotel room has a safe then USE it! Don’t carry around anything you don’t need. Put your valuables in the safe and relax and enjoy your stay or vacation.

If you don’t have a safe in your room then use the one the hotel provides, usually near reception. Get a receipt.

14. Always lock your luggage

When you’re out sightseeing or attending a business meeting make sure you’ve locked your suitcase and put it out of sight. You can also put it in a closet or under the bed if it’ll fit.

Don’t leave it open, remember, there are several hotel personnel who’ll have access to your hotel room. Don’t put temptation in their way.

15. ALWAYS Lock your room

Here’s the last of our hotel room safety tips. Always lock your door, also make sure the balcony door (if you have one) is locked and the windows, too.

Thieves have been known to climb into rooms from adjacent balconies, so be warned… and stay safe! Stay safe and happy traveling!