The summer travel season is coming to a close with students headed back to school, but for some, it’s not too late to get one last trip or one long weekend in before settling back into work for the year. One of the most important steps in planning a vacation is picking a hotel, but many people overlook certain safety issues in order to get a better room rate. A new report offers tips to help people stay safe as they plan ahead for their vacation, and it explains how to remain safe long past check-in.
Picking a hotel can be tricky, especially if you’re unfamiliar with a given area. The advent of the internet has brought with it a competition among sites dedicated to getting travelers the best rate, but it’s important to read the fine print, so to speak, on any deal. As you get ready to book your stay, you should also use the internet as an important research tool. That way, you can ensure that you’re staying in a safe area, that the hotel itself is well-lit and kept up, and that security is on the premises. Don’t be afraid to give the hotel itself a call to verify what other types of security features and policies are in place to protect guests.
Once you’ve arrived for your stay, there are a few steps you can take to ensure that you’re not imperiled during your visit. For one thing, you should never leave your luggage alone, even if just for a few seconds. If you do opt to take advantage of a hotel’s bellhop services, make sure you get the names of the workers involved and know who to contact should something go missing. And don’t entrust to a hotel employee any bag that holds valuables like jewelry or credit cards.
Many people don’t bother to invoke their right to choose a hotel room that suits them, instead relying on whatever the hotel offers. Don’t make that mistake. Consider picking a hotel room on a middle floor. You’ll be close enough to the ground to make a hasty exit should an emergency take place, yet up high enough that thieves aren’t likely to target your room. For this same reason, you might avoid rooms in hidden alcoves or far-away corners.
When you finally shut the door to your room, make sure to give a good once-over to the doors, windows, safe, and phone. Educate yourself on where the closest emergency exit is should something go wrong. And before you leave for the day or night, make sure to take a hotel’s business card for if you find yourself lost.
For more hotel safety tips, follow the link above.