Think twice before staying alone in a Travelodge

When I was fleeing from my abusive marriage I went to stay at a premier inn a good 2 and a half hours away from my hometown for a few days. One of my very close male Friends lived not far from where I was staying and came to the hotel to see me. He’d left his phone at home so couldn’t text when he was outside, so I could go downstairs to meet him. He spoke to reception who then sent a member of staff upstairs to knock on my door and ask me if I was expecting anyone. Said I was but asked her to describe the person who had asked for me just on the off chance my exh had turned up instead. Because they knew I was a lone female my room was also situated away from the stairs

Travelodge are at it again. Unbelievable! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8lp2ny3rro

Unbelievable! Now should really be the safest time to stay in a Travelodge given the scrutiny they're under, but clearly not.

I cancelled my booking today.

I think I would, too. Hopefully you have found an alternative.

Also, I think I will invest in one of those alarm wedges or similar discussed upthread.

Twice recently Travelodge at the Excel Centre gave keys out for already occupied rooms. It’s still happening.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c203771ek9lo

Yikes, that was the one I just cancelled!

I am glad I did now seeing that article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c203771ek9lo That was the one I was staying at!

Lessons learnt..blah blah.
As you say on it goes.

I stayed in one a few weeks back with my 10 year old daughter for an event.

There were lots of men hanging around outside smoking and some smoking weed which stank our corridor out as the smell was travelling through open windows. We got to our room quite late but my daughter was crying that she didn’t want to stay there.

I locked the door from the inside and put a chair against the door for her reassurance. We were safe enough. If we’d arrived earlier I’d have gone elsewhere but it was late and we had to be up early the next morning so we stuck it out.

My daughter has vowed she’ll never stay in one again though.

I had a very similar experience earlier this year, but at a Premier Inn. Arrived very late to find similar scenes outside, one of the nen followed me in and could hear the (male) receptionist announce my room number. I also jammed a heavy chair against the door and had a poor night.

I complained in writing and was utterly brushed off.

It beggars belief that it is still happening!! Latest story is bad enough, but imagine had the lady been sleeping in that room alone.

You'd think after the MP stuff and bad publicity this year they would have put a rocket under all staff to really stress rooms/key security is critical and to check and double check.

They really don't give a toss about taking safety seriously.

I travel a lot for work and really appreciate hotels where they do NOT announce your room number to the world. Recently stayed in Ibis and Premier Inn and both were discreet in this respect. I also stay at a lot of small, family run places which might not have all the facilities of a chain but take good care of me when I stay with them.