WGA_Team – Page 7 – We Go Alone

Today, women are embarking on more solo trips than ever. Knowing how to select accommodations that provide an overall sense of comfort and security can play a vital role in your ability to relax, unwind, and truly enjoy yourself on a trip. Despite this, staying in a hotel alone can still be an intimidating experience. It’s safe to stay in a hotel alone as a woman, as long as you research the hotel, its location, and the surrounding areas. Don’t stay in locations with high crime rates. Always park in a well-lit area, choose a room on floors 2 to 5, keep doors locked, remain vigilant, and use a VPN when using WiFi. This article discusses the safety of women in hotels, and the precautions women can take to ensure their safety. Read on to learn more. Choosing a Safe Hotel Exploring the world independently as a woman is invigorating, but it’s important to keep safety a top priority. Unfortunately, many countries don’t keep records of attacks on tourists, so there’s no way to know with certainty the true risks of traveling alone. However, based on statistics, we know that the number one crime committed against tourists is stolen passports. While this is good news considering the alternatives, it doesn’t take away from the fact that the world is generally considered unsafe for women. As such, women must remain vigilant when traveling alone, and that includes staying in hotels. Once you know your destination, use the following tips to help you choose a safe hotel. Research Your Destination and Surrounding Areas I highly recommend researching hotels for weeks (preferably months) in advance. This allows you to plan all routes based on your itinerary, look into the hotel itself, and research all stopping points and surrounding areas along the way. The more prepared you are, the better. View overall crime statistics and look up the local police station in the area to see if they have a website. In many cases, police departments include crime maps with more detailed information on recent criminal incidents. To compile as much data as possible, use the websites in the table below to research specific areas and their crime rates: WebsiteDestinationBest ForSpot CrimeU.S.Checking crime stats in specific neighborhoodsCrime MappingU.S.Checking crime stats in specific neighborhoodsADT Crime MapsU.S.Checking types of crimes in different states or countiesCity ProtectU.S.View recent policy activity and types of crime in specific neighborhoodsFBI Crime Data ExplorerU.S./U.S. TerritoriesAccess to various law enforcement dataU.S. Department of StateU.S./AbroadTravel advisories for disease, civil unrest, terrorism, armed conflict, war, etc.Numbeo Crime IndexU.S./AbroadCurrent crime index rankings based on city and country Look for Hotel Chains and Read Reviews It’s best to stick with popular hotel chains, such as the Marriott, Hilton, or Holiday Inn, when browsing for hotels. Big chains usually offer amenities such as 24-hour internet access, laundry facilities, and in-room coffee makers and microwaves, reducing the number of times you’ll need to leave the premises. Not only that, but these hotels are famed for their safety. The Marriott, in particular, was once given “world-class status” concerning safety and security. After finding a hotel that suits your needs, visit customer review websites to read experiences from people who’ve stayed there. This can provide you with a better idea of the features, amenities, and overall feel of the hotel and its services. The best websites to read hotel reviews include: TripAdvisor Google Booking.com Yelp Facebook Safety When Arriving at the Hotel Upon your arrival, there are several things you should do to increase your overall safety, even if the city is the safest spot in the area. These simple procedures can minimize your chances of becoming a crime victim. Parking Always park your vehicle in a well-lit area, even if it’s daytime and you have no intention of leaving at night. You never know if something might come up that requires you to leave or access your vehicle. Additionally, it’s wise to choose a spot visible from your room whenever possible. Before locking the vehicle, remove any items of value or ensure they’re out of sight. Checking In Keep all bags and luggage within reach at all times. Do not leave bags unattended in the lobby as you check in at the front desk. Although it’s unlikely that a thief would come up and swipe your bags as you’re standing there in plain view of hotel staff, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Room Preference Request a hotel room located on or between floors two and five. Many women feel that the ground floor is best because it allows quick outdoor access, but it’s also the most accessible level for thieves. Levels above floor five are too high for standard firefighters to reach with their ladders. In addition to a room on one of these floors, ask for a room as close to the fire exits as possible. Also, while at the front desk, take a moment to program the name, phone number, and address of the hotel into your phone in case you need quick access to it later. Entering the Room When accessing your hotel room for the first time, avoid immediately closing the door. First, scan and observe the room carefully. Open doors, look behind curtains, and check the bathroom, shower, and closets. Once you’ve determined that everything is secure, place the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door handle, close the door, and lock the deadbolt and security chain. Invest in a rubber door stopper, and shove it under the door for an extra level of security. After locking the door, examine the bed sheets, the mattress corners, beneath the mattress, and look for signs of bed bugs or other insect activity. The last thing you want is to wake up covered in insect bites or to bring home an infestation of bloodsucking bugs. Once everything is clear, sit down and view the hotel’s security guide. If you’re not interested in reading the entire pamphlet, locate the emergency exits at the very least. Hopefully you won’t need to use them, but it’s critical that you know where they are in case of an emergency. Staying Safe Alone at Hotels To ensure your overall safety and well-being during your stay, take the following precautions. Protect Your Smartphone Information Most hotel chains offer the convenience of free WiFi. Unfortunately, this amenity brings its own dangers. Public WiFi allows anyone on the network to access the information on other devices using the network. Today, many of us store private information on our smartphones, from credit cards to personal data like our addresses, so the threat here is huge. To protect your information, use a virtual private network (VPN). These networks add an extra level of security to keep your device and all of your private information safe from hackers. Don’t Answer The Door The “Do Not Disturb” sign means that hotel staff should respect the request to be left alone, including housekeeping. Therefore, no one from the hotel should come knocking on your door unless you’ve ordered room service (or there’s a serious problem). If someone knocks, ask who they are from the other side of the door without opening it. If the door has a peep hole, utilize it. If they claim to be hotel staff, ring the front desk to determine whether they’ve actually sent a team member to your room, and inquire as to why. Before opening the door for anyone, ensure the security chain is latched. Open the door with the security chain before opening it all the way, even for room service, to ensure that they are who they say they are. Leaving Your Hotel Room Whether you’re leaving your hotel room to grab free breakfast or go sightseeing, always ensure the room appears occupied. Leave the curtains closed, keep the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door, and place all valuables in a hotel safe (only if it’s securely bolted down and allows you to change the combination). If the hotel safe isn’t bolted down or only allows a single combination, don’t use it. Instead, invest in a portable safe box and a hotel door alarm. These items don’t guarantee complete protection against hotel theft, but they do provide additional security. Because most hotel thefts are opportunistic, the more obstacles you put in the way, the less likely thieves are to spend the time it takes to steal your valuables. Returning To Your Room When returning to your hotel room, maintain full awareness of your surroundings. If you ever feel as though you’re being watched or followed, monitor the situation closely. Stop at the front desk and request that they call the police. Every time you enter your room, always lock the deadbolt and security chain, and place the door stopper beneath the door. Many female solo travelers also wonder if it’s safe to go to the beach on their own. I’ve written a complete guide on the topic to address your most important concerns. [Is It Safe for a Woman to Go to the Beach Alone?] Final Thoughts Traveling alone as a woman seems scary the first few times, but the more you do it, the more familiar you become with measures to keep yourself safe. Eventually, it becomes second nature. The best advice for solo female travelers staying in hotels alone is to maintain situational awareness and vigilance of your surroundings. Trust your instincts, and if something feels sketchy, listen.