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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask what hotels are doing to ensure random men do not have access to your hotel room?

40 replies

DeftGoldHedgehog · 17/03/2026 05:54

This story is absolutely horrific.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g01m82vn2o

Travelodge "changes policy". So your previous policy was to give out a key to an occupied room to anyone who asked for one, on the basis that he knew her name? You give your name on check in, anyone could hear it. And they offered the victim £30 initially! And then only a weak apology. Absolute arseholes.

I've been given a key to the wrong room on check in by Premier Inn before - it was already occupied. And I have read on here on more than one occasion about staff or other guests getting access to their room while they were asleep, so it certainly isn't just a problem with Travelodge.

When you think how organisations can be fined for sharing your data incorrectly, should there not be a bit more focus on what happens if someone is given access to you?

OP posts:
DallasMajor · 17/03/2026 07:53

ColdAsAWitches · 17/03/2026 07:48

But you don't give names when making a booking though. Only the name of the person making it.

Show quote history

So what are you suggesting - that you just give out keys to anyone?

Change the booking process in that case so you do give the names in advance.

Coconutter24 · 17/03/2026 07:51

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 17/03/2026 05:56

Door wedges!

Whilst that may help it’s not good enough, more needs to be done.
“Here’s your room key for your stay oh and here’s a door wedge incase we hand a copy of your room key out” 😳

notimagain · 17/03/2026 07:48

tamade · 17/03/2026 06:37

Had good experience at Aurora (sp) near Heathrow, I had come off a 11 hour flight and DH was going to meet me in the hotel then drive us home the next day.

When he arrived I was already asleep. He presented himself to the front desk and gave my name and room No, they called to confirm and then issued him a lift only card, so I still had to open the door. Maybe a little inconvenient but safe.

FWIW Arora..

As background the (very smart) owner of that chain started out by providing accommodation for airline crew - it's first hotel was directly opposite a certain airline's crew report centre at LHR.

To get the contract their security will have been vetted by the using airline(s), if they are still getting airline contracts they'll have to have maintained standards.

Not relevant to the thread but for info:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surinder_Arora

ColdAsAWitches · 17/03/2026 07:48

CarrierbagsAndPJs · 17/03/2026 07:46

That they dont give keys to people not named on the booking would be very easy. No id no key

Show quote history

But you don't give names when making a booking though. Only the name of the person making it.

CarrierbagsAndPJs · 17/03/2026 07:46

PollyBell · 17/03/2026 06:09

What do you suggest?

That they dont give keys to people not named on the booking would be very easy. No id no key

Kidsarekarma · 17/03/2026 07:45

Travelodge and Premier Inns used to have door chains, I can't understand why these were removed. I use a door wedge but shouldn't have to.

TurnipsAndParsnips · 17/03/2026 07:43

I take a door wedge with me. About £3 from Amazon or a hardware shop. Pretty effective.

StrawberryElephants · 17/03/2026 07:42

I stay in hotels with a deadbolt door lock. Then no-one can enter when im in there.

WildLeader · 17/03/2026 07:36

I have this.

www.lifesystems.co.uk/products/travel-door-lock

tamade · 17/03/2026 06:37

Had good experience at Aurora (sp) near Heathrow, I had come off a 11 hour flight and DH was going to meet me in the hotel then drive us home the next day.

When he arrived I was already asleep. He presented himself to the front desk and gave my name and room No, they called to confirm and then issued him a lift only card, so I still had to open the door. Maybe a little inconvenient but safe.

BobBobBobbing · 17/03/2026 06:20

I will NEVER stay in a Travelodge after my experience a few years ago. I was fast asleep when my door was opened- I screamed and told them to get the fuck out- which they did. I threw on some clothes and went to reception to complain when the bloke on reception admitted it was him and he'd "got confused" and opened the wrong room. I complained to Travelodge and they denied the whole thing happened.

I'm away for work now and am staying in another city as the only hotel available where I need to be later was a Travelodge. I'm getting up early and travelling this morning rather than stay there.

dottiedodah · 17/03/2026 06:17

I think it's a dreadful event.travelodge need to tighten up for sure.hopefully lessons to be learnt here. Terrible story,lady offered £30.00 in compensation FFS! She said that made it even worse. A lady on TV said there is a screw down door safety device about £35.00 avaliable from Amazon

PollyBell · 17/03/2026 06:09

What do you suggest?

QuirkyHorse · 17/03/2026 06:01

I stayed at a Travelodge that didn't have an internal lock, no chain or solid bar lock.
I barricaded the door with chairs, so unnerved was I not to be able to lock the door.

Have never and will never stay in one again.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 17/03/2026 05:56

Door wedges!

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