Hotel Safety Tips: 20 Ways to Stay Safe in Your Room and Around the Hotel
20 practical hotel safety tips: choosing a room, securing your door, protecting valuables, fire safety and avoiding hotel scams.
Key takeaways
- Choose well-reviewed hotels in well-lit areas, and read recent reviews for safety comments.
- Ask reception not to say your room number aloud, and use all door locks.
- Locate the fire exits on arrival and count the doors to the nearest one.
- Never give card details to someone who phones your room claiming to be reception.
In this guide
- Before you book
- At check-in
- In your room
- Protecting valuables
- Fire safety
- Avoiding common hotel scams
- Extra tips for solo travellers
- Extra tips for families
- Health and hygiene
- Hotel safety checklist (save this)
- Emergency numbers by destination
- Safety in holiday rentals
- Travel insurance and documentation
- The bottom line
Most hotel stays are completely uneventful, and serious incidents are rare. But a few simple habits can protect your belongings, your privacy and your safety, whether you are travelling solo, with family or on business.
Before you book
- Read recent reviews for comments about security, lighting, the neighbourhood and staff.
- Check the location at night using street view and local advice. Our where to stay guides flag areas that suit different travellers.
- Prefer hotels with 24-hour reception if you will arrive late or travel alone.
- Check official travel advice for your destination: the UK FCDO, the US State Department, or Australia's Smartraveller.
At check-in
- Keep your room number private. If staff announce it aloud, politely ask for a different room. Many hotels write it on the key card wallet instead.
- Ask for a room not on the ground floor if you are concerned about break-ins, and near a lift but not right next to a stairwell or ice machine if you are worried about noise or foot traffic.
- Take a hotel business card with the address in the local language for taxi drivers.
In your room
- Use every lock: deadbolt, chain or swing bar.
- Check doors and windows, including connecting doors and balcony doors.
- Check that the door closes fully behind you. Some heavy doors stick.
- Consider a portable door wedge or travel door lock for extra peace of mind, where allowed.
- Use the "Do not disturb" sign when you are inside, and request housekeeping by phone or app rather than leaving "make up room" signs.
- Verify unexpected visitors by calling reception before opening the door.
Protecting valuables
- Use the room safe or front-desk safe for passports, spare cards and devices.
- Carry a photocopy or digital copy of your passport and travel insurance.
- Keep cards and cash separated in different places.
- Do not leave laptops and phones in plain view near windows or on balconies.
Fire safety
- Find two exits on your floor when you arrive. Count the doors between your room and the nearest exit, so you can find it in smoke.
- Read the evacuation map on the back of your door. Keep your key card and a torch (phone) by the bed. If an alarm sounds, take it seriously, use the stairs, not the lifts, and feel doors for heat before opening.
Avoiding common hotel scams
- Ignore calls claiming to be reception asking for card details. Go to the front desk in person. Also ignore takeaway menus slipped under the door unless the hotel recommends them, and be wary of fake Wi-Fi networks. Our hotel booking scams guide covers more.
Extra tips for solo travellers
- Share your itinerary and hotel details with someone at home.
- Avoid saying you are alone if strangers ask about your plans.
- Use reputable taxis or ride-hailing apps, especially late at night.
- Choose central, well-lit areas near public transport. See our full solo travel hotel guide.
Extra tips for families
- Check balcony railings and windows for gaps that children could climb through.
- Ask for safety covers on sockets and corner guards if needed.
- Agree a meeting point with older children in case you get separated in a big resort. See our family hotel guide.
Health and hygiene
- Do a quick check for bed bugs when you arrive. See our bed bug checking guide.
- Bring any medicines in original packaging, with prescriptions where needed.
- Know the local emergency number: 999 or 112 in the UK, 911 in the US and Canada, 000 in Australia, and 112 across the EU.
Hotel safety checklist (save this)
Before booking - Recent reviews mention safety positively. - Well-lit area near transport. - 24-hour reception if arriving late.
On arrival - Room number not announced aloud. - Door locks, deadbolt and windows work. - Fire exits located and counted. - Valuables in the safe.
During the stay - "Do not disturb" sign when inside. - Verify unexpected visitors with reception. - Never give card details over the phone. - Use secure Wi-Fi.
Emergency numbers by destination
| Country/region | Emergency number |
|---|---|
| UK | 999 or 112 |
| US and Canada | 911 |
| Australia | 000 (112 from mobiles) |
| European Union | 112 |
| New Zealand | 111 |
| UAE | 999 (police), 998 (ambulance) |
| Thailand | 191 (police), 1669 (medical), 1155 (tourist police) |
Safety in holiday rentals
Holiday rentals do not have staff on site, so check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, locks on all doors and windows, and the exact address for emergency services. Save the host's contact details and the platform's emergency line. See hotel vs Airbnb.
Travel insurance and documentation
Buy travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and theft. Keep digital copies of your passport, insurance policy and bookings in secure cloud storage, and carry a paper copy separately from the originals.
The bottom line
A few seconds of awareness on arrival (locks, exits, valuables) is all most travellers need. Combine that with good research before booking and you can relax and enjoy your stay.
Frequently asked questions
Which floor is safest in a hotel?
Many safety experts suggest a room above ground level for security but not so high that fire services would struggle to reach it, often somewhere between the third and sixth floors. Fire regulations and building heights vary, so follow local guidance.
Should I use the hotel room safe?
For small valuables, the room safe is better than leaving items out. For important items, many hotels also offer a front-desk safe deposit box, which may be more secure.
Is it safe to leave the 'Please make up room' sign on the door?
It signals the room is empty. Many travellers prefer to call housekeeping or use the app instead, and use the 'Do not disturb' sign when inside.
Prices, fees, taxes and booking rules change often and vary by hotel, date and country. Figures in this guide are typical ranges for planning, not quotes. Always confirm the total price and cancellation terms with the hotel or booking site before you pay.
