Feel Safer When Staying In A Hotel Alone With This Simple Tip
Planning a trip anywhere can be exciting, but knowing you're heading out solo comes with its own unique appeal. Those adventurers who are excited to set out independently often do so in pursuit of stepping outside of their comfort zones and expanding their horizons. Traveling alone also offers a chance to meet new people and customize an itinerary according to your personal travel style. It's a time to see what you're truly capable of without a group of others to depend on for direction.
Around 25% of Americans are considering traveling solo in 2023 according to Travel Daily. Similarly, the team at Kayak is reporting searches for single-traveler flights are up 36% in 2023 as compared to 2022. These numbers likely amount to even more explorers hitting the road or flying solo to try something new at their own, preferred pace.
No matter what your reasons might be for enjoying this type of trip, booking safe accommodations is a top priority for solo travelers. Personal safety is a common concern when traveling, but those staying in hotels alone typically want to take extra precautions to make sure they feel secure at all times. Ensuring your added safety in a hotel you've booked to enjoy alone should always begin with asking to see the room you've reserved before accepting it.
Confirm safety standards are in place
Requesting to look around your hotel room before agreeing to stay is a simple step that can make a huge difference when it comes to your personal safety. As a solo traveler, it's an opportunity to ensure the room is a place you'll sleep with complete peace of mind. This means there are a few things to check for.
Be sure to confirm that the room has a working telephone. It's easy to assume your smartphone will be enough for communication. However, if you lose a charger or your phone loses a signal, a working hotel room phone is an important backup. Always make sure you know the number to dial in case of an emergency in the country you're traveling as well.
You'll also want to confirm that the hotel room door has a peephole in place. Being able to see who's visiting before opening the door to a stranger is vital. It's just as important to make sure the door can be securely locked using a slider or a deadbolt. If you use an additional travel lock of your own, take some time to ensure it's compatible with the door. A look around the room to check for any exposed wires is important in the name of fire safety. Confirm the room has a fire escape plan clearly posted as well. Pulling back the curtains to check for any cracked or broken windows is a must.
Check room placement and privacy details
After ensuring the windows are in pristine shape, close the curtains fully once again. This is an easy way to confirm that they shut properly. It may seem basic, but it's an important part of your nighttime privacy standards as a solo traveler.
A walk through your hotel room is an opportunity to check in on heating and cooling systems and make sure they're functioning correctly as well. An overview of the bathroom and sleeping areas will let you get your eyes on everything from sheets to countertops where germs have a way of thriving if not cleaned thoroughly. The cleanliness of the room is important because getting sick while traveling solo can be a much harder scenario to manage.
A walk-around also lets you confirm that your hotel room sits squarely somewhere between the second and fourth floors of the hotel. This placement is essential because a first-floor room is more prone to crime due to easy access from the ground level. The floors above the fourth level in a hotel may not be reachable by fire ladders in the case of an emergency. Asking to walk through your hotel room before accepting it as a solo traveler shouldn't be considered demanding. It's a smart and travel-savvy step to ensure your safety out in the world. It's also something you absolutely have the right to request when you're exploring new places on your own.