Think twice before staying alone in a Travelodge

MPs have asked for a meeting with the Travelodge CEO to look at their practices and hopefully the wider travel industry as shining a light on safety can only be a good thing, regardless of if you're staying in a Travelodge or a Radisson.

I've sent this link to my MP asking her to support too.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xywd8rpjgo#:~:text=Travelodge%2C%20which%20offered%20the%20victim,that%20he%20was%20her%20boyfriend.

Another story in the news today. Turned away young women late at night because the staff refused to believe they were over 18 and wouldn't accept any of the ID offered. No "lessons will be learnt", no review of policy, zero fucks apparently given. Given what we've already read during this thread there does seem to be a massive blind spot when it comes to safety of women, and no desire to address it.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/mar/09/consumer-champions-travelodge-turned-away-vulnerable-women-late-at-night

When was it ever an “industry standard” to give a key to a random man on the basis that they knew the name of the female guest?

You call the room.

Yep, Travelodge now struck off my list of hotels to use. If the incident itself wasn’t bad enough, their bizarre, piss poor response adds insult to injury. I’m also alarmed to hear about the double-booking situation, and wouldn’t want to be left stranded with no room.

I can recommend a fairly central hotel in Naples with a 24-hr desk if that helps? Our room was close to the desk (which anyone would also have to pass coming in) so could possibly give a layer of added security? Staff were helpful and the room was nice too.

Have also emailed the CEO.

"industry standard procedures" my arse!

Thanks at @MeridianB

Great suggestions re any journos watching, even better if someone would do a Which type cross-industry review so we could see which chains take extra security measures or staff training. Hotels may employ the odd bad apple/idiot which let the policies down, but having a proper focus or serious consequences for putting guests at risk would be at least a starting point.

Oh so it doesn't say the obvious, that they won't let people in again.

Just says they've been asked to carry out a review of it

Doesn't that seem really weird?

I had a response from Travelodge

Thank you for contacting us, I have personally been asked to respond to you on the behalf of Jo Boydell.

We're very sorry for any worry or concern this has caused you, the safety and security of our customers is always our number one priority.

We agree that feeling safe and secure is an absolute priority when choosing where to stay. And would like to reassure you that our hotel teams are trained to follow industry standard approved policies.

We have apologised to the victim for the way the situation which occurred in 2022 was handled.

While industry standard procedures were followed at the time, Jo has asked the teams to carry out a full review of our room security policies to learn from this incident and further strengthen our procedures.

Please be assured that we are taking this very seriously and we hope to welcome you back to Travelodge again in the future.
Kind regards,
Melissa Portnall
Chief Executive's Office

I can only think they’re so used to affair partners and FWB/ one night standers who join the person during the night (who has checked in) that this slipped under the radar. It must be really common for people to book these places just for sexual encounters.

Obviously it’s beyond horrendous, but may explain why they gave him a key?

Oh I am so so sorry.. I hope that you are ok.

A few years ago me and my partner stayed in a hotel in a seaside town, NOT a travel lodge and we was given the key card for our room, walked in and there was someone in the shower. They had their stuff all on the side, keys, wallet, expensive phone. We realised and quickly walked back out incase we got accused of anything and went back to reception to explain .

They wasn't bothered just looked back onto the system for another room. I found that a bit concerning. Luckily for that man we are honest and we didn't touch his belongings. Someone else it might have been a different story.

But if this had been a woman in the shower, it doesn't bare thinking about does it?

"Industry standard procedures" must be meaningless then

The management team must be idiots, given the way they’ve handled this.

Bloody hell!

I've had a response to my email (below). I wonder if Travelodge might actually become safer for women if they've had a serious backlash and staff have had room safety drummed into them? Although saying that, surely a full review of room security policies should have happened now back in 2022, not only now and because of a heap of bad publicity.

We're very sorry for any worry or concern this has caused you, the safety and security of our customers is always our number one priority.

We agree that feeling safe and secure is an absolute priority when choosing where to stay. And would like to reassure you that our hotel teams are trained to follow industry standard approved policies.

We have apologised to the victim for the way the situation which occurred in 2022 was handled.

While industry standard procedures were followed at the time, Jo has asked the teams to carry out a full review of our room security policies to learn from this incident and further strengthen our procedures.

Please be assured that we are taking this very seriously and we hope to welcome you back to Travelodge again in the future.

Hi, yes I could and I did once or twice to different major sites.

The problem is that I am just accompanied by the group. I cannot hear the commentary, guide, or anything like that. I do have an attachment for the hearing aid that helps with that, but honestly on a moving bus/at a special site etc. it's not great.

So I usually travel alone and get a map/guide at the site and go ahead on my own. There are apps that have guides in them which I can listen to via bluetooth hearing aids also.

I'm not complaining! I manage quite well. It's staying in a room on my own after reading this thread that has me a bit concerned TBH. I do use a door wedge but I sleep with one eye open since I'd never hear anyone trying to get in!!

presumably because Mumsnet are happy to take their money and advertise them?
Perhaps you should write to Justine (MN CEO) about this policy:
[email protected]
as well as writing to Jo (Travelodge CEO):
[email protected]
?

Had a dodgy experience at the King’s Cross travelodge - male member of staff entering room in middle of night.

I do a lot of business travel and use Prem Inn where possible.

@shuffleofftobuffalo agree all staff should get training on this.

Both incidents show the inexperienced of the staff

It's a major major breech

This I shocking. I never stay in travelodges anymore anyway (travel frequently for work), have stayed in one too many dodgy ones where I could imagine this sort of thing happening. Same for premier inn, I had someone try my door in one a while ago and the staff were really unhelpful and unsympathetic.

Not to say there aren’t dodgy people everywhere - I had a man try and follow me back to my room in a particularly maze like Malmaison where it was all too easy to be trapped down a dead end without knowing it, but the staff handled it really well and moved him on. It’s all about how they handle it.

I think this is just what hotels are like now

I very rarely complain but I had a near miss in a hotel last year - balcony door was apparently on one hinge and obviously no one had noticed it, I very nearly had a nasty accident with that

This was in a place that marketed itself as quite smart. Reception couldn't care less. It was only when I pointed out that they were lucky I have been able to get hold of it so to speak, it could've fallen and landed on a child... I shudder to think.

They then gave me a voucher for food. That was it. I could say I'd never use that chain again, but I just think this is what they're all like now.