Hotel Safety Warning

[MichSteve]

I was on vacation last week and stayed in a Holiday Inn Express which is the chain we usually stay in. We were in Virginia near Royal Front and the exit off the highway looked ok. After checking in my wife noticed a safety tips card on the desk.

I wish I had a copy of it, it warn of answering you door, always call the front desk if anyone comes to your door and says they are a hotel employee call the front desk, warned of going to your car after dark. I don't remember all the warnings.

My point is this, when you get off an exit in a strange town you have no idea of where you are at, so be careful. I was sure glad I was armed.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Supertac45]

It's sad that most motel's are now this way. Too many dirt bags know most people have at least some cash on them. And welcome to the forum MichSteve.

[joker1]

Staying in a hotel/motel/campground? Be sure to pack lots of extra SA!

Welcome to the forum!

[Majorlk]

I was on vacation last week and stayed in a Holiday Inn Express which is the chain we usually stay in. We were in Virginia near Royal Front and the exit off the highway looked ok. After checking in my wife noticed a safety tips card on the desk.

I wish I had a copy of it, it warn of answering you door, always call the front desk if anyone comes to your door and says they are a hotel employee call the front desk, warned of going to your car after dark. I don't remember all the warnings.

My point is this, when you get off an exit in a strange town you have no idea of where you are at, so be careful. I was sure glad I was armed.

For those who aren't familiar with Virginia, that's Front Royal.

[DaveJay]

For those who aren't familiar with Virginia, that's Front Royal.

That it is.....

The warnings are good anywhere....Front Royal is not a bad area, but caution is the word when traveling...

[Ram Rod]

Out of town is out of town. You usually don't have any idea of the layout no matter how well the motel looks from the outside. Many hotels or motels are cruising grounds for criminals, and pitfalls for tourists. Always keep this in mind, and always carry when you can.

[twocan]

Welcome to the forum.

It is a sad but true description of our times that we have to call the front desk to verify the visitor at the door is an employee.

Just wait until the full effect of this recession hits more people and makes formerly good people do things that they never would have done in better times.

Need to load up on SA, because we are going to need lots of it.

Capt. Art

[Ghettokracker71]

Definitely agree. I've pulled off unto an exit before, and pulled right back on hoping I had enough gas to make it to the next exit. Lesson learned!

(And welcome to the forums. I'm glad someone pointed out its Front Royal,Va too. Hope you liked the mountains!)

[searcher 45]

First Welcome from Central Texas!!!

As to hotels and motels, I fully agree be SA and armed if you must stay in one as you travel.

[retsupt99]

from Central Florida!

Dirtbags 'roam' the REAL world...stay armed...stay alert...stay safe!

ret

[Jason Storm]

Other Items I Bring To a Hotel Other Than a Pistol w/ Spare Mag (again, depends on the laws of the state or city):
-timers
-doorstop alarm
-cellphone
-dummy wallet
-plannerbook (it even has a holster inside) containing important numbers
-tactical light and extra one similar to it (handy striking tool too)
-I usually leave it at home since I already got a doorstop alarm. But you can also bring a "door security bar" that can double up the security of the hotel door when you are inside. Makes kicking in the door difficult and buys you time to go for your weapons.
-can of OC
-edged weapon

Know your nearest exit and if the hotel has a safe near the front desk to keep your vauables when you are away, use it. Don't rely or trust a safe in the hotel bedroom, which can be removed. When you are away, you can also leave the TV or radio on to make it seem occupied and always hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the doorknob.

[Skippys]

the doorstop alarm is a great item to have. more often than criminal intrusions, hotel/motel desk clerks mistakenly -- and often -- book the same room twice and you DON'T want to shoot an innocent traveler just because the desk clerk swiped your room number on his key card at 11pm.

[TangoMonkey]

All great advice. My wife, sister, and babies will be traveling from Georgia to Texas next month. I will wish she carried, but she doesn't. She will take OC and a door bar. There is also the 150 lb Great Dane that she carries around with her.

Any more advice to women traveling across the country?

[AZ Hawk]

Amazon.com: GE 50246 Smart Home Door Stop Alarm: Home Improvement

[SIGguy229]

For those who aren't familiar with Virginia, that's Front Royal.

Front Royal is kind of like Sleepy Hollow (but remember what happened there?)

Regardless of location...I treat all hotels (and areas around them) the same--with suspicion.