I spend allot of time behind the scenes at hotels in my employment. I will tell you that most good hotels (the down town type) have actual trained security people. These security folks range from mall ninjas to the no nonsense skull crackers. I dont know of too many motels that have full time trained people watching the rif raff and keeping an eye on the security cameras.

 

Hotels...motels......they're a home away from home. When I'm away from home, I'm my own security. I'm the best at doing that, and I won't depend on anyone else to do it for me. I pretty much don't sleep at all on the road living out of a hotel or motel. There's no place like home if you absolutely have to close your eyes.

 

I used to do motels so that I'd have a ground-floor room to park my motorcycle in, so that it wouldn't get stolen. One night the police raided the room next to me, and I decided that the motorcycle wasn't worth my life...

Now I build up points on a Marriott VISA and stay for free at fine hotels with good security (the motorcycle gets chained to a post outside and has to fend for itself).

 

I'm willing to pay a bit more to have doors with hallways on the inside, rather than doors that go directly outside.OMO:comeandgetsome:

 

Hotels are generally safer while inside their doors, but, outside, they can be as deadly as the local Roach Motel.

 

Over the past 10 years I've traveled a lot on business. Due to the business aspect and not having CCWs for most of the states in which I do business, I rarely carried a firearm on travel. A couple of good folding knives and a Surefire were the primary weapons.

The very worst situation was when I had a room on the ground floor, with a sliding door that opened up close to the pool. A guy slid my door open and entered my room, but I was dozing on the bed and yelled (screamed) when I saw him and he left post-haste. I rarely took a ground-floor room after that.

As a result, I always ask for a room above ground floors. Beyond that, rooms above the 10th to 12 floors are inaccessible to the highest fire ladders.

When you enter your room, always, always, ALWAYS throw the interior safety latch/bolt. Never, ever assume that the metal key or plastic key card will prevent anyone else from accessing your room.

In your room, when you retire for the night put your keys, wallet, knife, flashlight and gun (if you have one) in or next to your shoes, next to your bed. If you have to get up because of fire or an intrusion, your 'stuff' is all there.

You have no choice as to housekeeping employees, but I've never had a problem with them. Parking lots, stairwells - you're on your own. Let your SA guide you, and always opt on the side of personal safety.

 

As a result, I always ask for a room above ground floors. Beyond that, rooms above the 10th to 12 floors are inaccessible to the highest fire ladders.

I'm not a big fan of motels, but with your own door and low height it would be a lot easier to get away from a fire. For a hotel it seems like a second floor would be pretty desirable?

When you enter your room, always, always, ALWAYS throw the interior safety latch/bolt. Never, ever assume that the metal key or plastic key card will prevent anyone else from accessing your room.

Absolutely

In your room, when you retire for the night put your keys, wallet, knife, flashlight and gun (if you have one) in or next to your shoes, next to your bed. If you have to get up because of fire or an intrusion, your 'stuff' is all there.

Good tip about your stuff and the flashlight is ultra-important too.

You have no choice as to housekeeping employees, but I've never had a problem with them. Parking lots, stairwells - you're on your own. Let your SA guide you, and always opt on the side of personal safety.

I was wondering how well they were screened. Good grief these are people who tend to have a master key and clean your room while you're gone. Worst yet is one who has a thug boyfriend and covertly aides him to rob someone or a room. You are right you don't have much choices.

 

I always toss the "do not disturb" sign on the door and leave the TV on when I'm out and about for the day. This will lead housekeeping to believe the room is occupied and to leave it alone. I'll pick up my own towels and what not at the desk. It seems to work.

When traveling for work, we usually get a "public service" rate. It annoys the crap out of me, because often times when I travel for work, the last thing I want is locals to know who I am. So, I flip the tables slightly. I'll tell the front desk that I have a working dog. They will alert housekeeping that there is a police dog in room 123, and they stay out of there.

I never use the dresser drawers, I keep my stuff in luggage; Its easier to secure and keep track of.

I always try to stay on the second floor; Nobody is coming in from the outside, but I can swan dive out the window if there is a fire or something.

I also never park on the outskirts of a parking lot; those are prime spots for vehicle break ins. I'll try to park as close to the front entrance as possible, no matter where my room happens to be.

I have other tricks that are much more deviant, but I'll save those for later.

Oh yeah.... I'll always pony up a extra few bucks to stay in a nicer joint.

 

I prefer to stay in a hotel and above ground floor when I travel and prefer to be in a hotel with sprinkler system.

Like SIXTO, I don't use the dressers. I work out of my luggage and have a nice garment bag to keep clothes as wrinkle free as possible.

I always study the evacuation plan posted inside the room door and always check for the closest fire station on my floor. (fire extinguisher and/or fire hose stand pipe cabinet).

I bring my own door wedge/door alarm to alert me to anyone attempting to gain entry to my room. Plus it blocks the door from being pushed open. ($10)

I also bring my own personal fire escape with me when I travel. Having a firefighting/rescue background is a plus here for me.

My Bail Out Kit consists of: 100 ft. of CMC Pro Series Escape Line along with a fire rated quick anchor, a NARS Escape Anchor, four carabiners, CMC Escape Artist decender, 5 bar mini rack, four 5 mm Prusik cords, and a quick harness. Also 20 ft. extra 1 inch tubular webbing, leather gloves and a flashlight. (Also two folding spanner wrenches just in case) All carried in a CMC #2 rope bag (25" x 8")

The rope is 7.5 mm, heat rated to 900 degree's F, strength rated at 16.4 kN, and only weighs 3 lbs/100 ft. Total weight of kit is 8.3 lbs and cost was around $500 or about the price of a Glock.

I've responded to several high rise fires in my career and worked inside on four of them, and been trapped in a basement fire once. I'm not dying in a friggon hotel fire.

I haven't flown in years. I usually drive everywhere I go, but If I fly in the future, I'll pay extra luggage fee's to bring my high rise bail out kit.

 

Last time I stayed at a motel we were on a motorcycle trip,and after checking in noticed that we were probably in a less desirable part of town,I literally passed out spare guns to everybody that knew how to use them.I'm betting it wasn't anything close as when Grady hits the road packing

 

I prefer someplace with a front desk, than a door to the outside...

 

Tactical and stratigic thinking must be applied. Where (the surronding neighborhood) your staying, what precautions you take while staying there, and how you apply yourself to the situation your in all play a part in how safe you'll really be.

Anytime, anywhere comes to mind.

Lots of good advice and tactics posted here.....good thread!

 

doors to the outside: faster escape from fire, etc
doors to the inside: much less likely to have some weirdo trying to break in, etc.

I'll go with a hotel.

 

When you look at the stats, the danger comes from violent crime, not fire.

 

I understand that, and I have plenty in my bag-o-tricks to safeguard against violent crime in and around the hotel.

However, being trapped in a basement fire with two other firefighters, and to the point you're buddy breathing off others SCBA with your PASS alarm activated before being rescued gives one a real appreciation for being trapped by fire. Maybe I'm a little phobic but packing an extra 8 lb. duffel bag when I travel gives me some piece of mind.

Next time you travel, ask if the building is sprinklered. You'd be surprised how many Marriot's, Radisson's, and Hyatt's do not have sprinkler systems.

 

Next time you travel, ask if the building is sprinklered. You'd be surprised how many Marriot's, Radisson's, and Hyatt's do not have sprinkler systems.

Really? I thought that was a law or something.

 

I agree with you Bark'n, I don't fault you on what you do. But if I'm choosing hotel or motel over fire or security, security wins every time based on the facts and stats.
A smart traveler will consider both.

 

No doubt, fire and crime are the two biggest concerns.

I've "paid my dues" in the past on staying at some semi-crummy place. We typically try to stay at an upscale hotel. I am willing to stay at a motel, but it's going to have to look right, be new and in a decent-looking part of town.

Here's a hint, not too long ago we were planning a cross country trip and guessed we'd need to stay overnight in Albuquerque. I found some members here who were from there and PM'd them asking what part of town had the "safest" environment cluster of hotels/motels. Our members here made good recommendations.

You know the hotel/motel life is much an extension of your life at home. If you are out late you typically may run into more trouble. If your home is in a marginal part of town, it's the same. You need to lock your doors and find out who and why someone is knocking on your door. It's much about SA and coping with it in a new environment.

Here's a hotel horror story. My wife was staying in a very nice hotel about an hour away on a multi-day business meeting. She suggested I drive down and stay overnight with her that evening. I wasn't sure I could make it, but things worked out, so I drove down there that evening. This was before cell phone days. I got to the hotel, walked in, went up to the room and knocked on the door.....no answer. I went down to the desk, walked confidently up to the counter and told the girl I needed an extra key to #1215 and she gave me one. I went upstairs, let myself in and was laying on the bed watching TV when my wife came in the room after shopping at the mall. :blink: She was stunned I had breached her so-called false sense of security so easily.

 

I only stay in hotels, mainly Hilton properties but also a fair number of Marriotts. I don't want access to my room from the sidewalk.

That being said, never let your guard down. It can happen any time, any place.

 

I'll stay about anywhere that I can afford, but dang well make sure it's not above the 2nd floor and close to the fire exits for my own reasons. I don't worry about security that much, have my own and someone put here door stopper items come in handy or improvise.

 

I usually try to stay at hilton or marriott chains. Unfortuneately for me being civil service I'm always traveling to military bases were concealed weapons are not permitted. But I still have my flashlight on me at the very least.

Usually when I leave the room all my important stuff comes with me (laptop, paperwork, etc.). the only clothes that I unpack are my slacks and shirts that I hang up. The rest stay in the suit case and are locked.

I also always try to find a hotels that are not the motel style where you can park just outside the door. As that gives anybody immediate access to your door and window which is two points of entry as opposed to one from a hotel where the doors are in a hallway.

The door always stays locked and bolted as I will never have any reason to answer to door. If anybody ever knocks on the door claiming to be from the hotel it is best to call the front desk to confirm that they did indeed send somebody to your room before you answer the door.

There have been occasions where I've had to stay at hotels that are in sketchy areas just because the base is so far out in the middle of nowhere that the closest hotels are in those areas. when that happens I'll try to eat at a restuarant on base before I head back to the hotel so I don't have to venture out in the sketchy areas.

When I stay in bigger cities that I usually take advantage of the wider selection of hotels so that I can stay in a nicer area.