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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not sleep in a room I can't lock with 20mo?

125 replies

guild · 01/10/2023 05:34

On holiday with 20mo. Just me and her in a room. Room has a sliding door balcony and the door won't lock (lock is broken). It's not a single balcony, it's one long balcony that connects all the rooms on this floor (maybe 10 or 12).

In theory, anyone from another room could come in in the night. I've contacted the emergency number but they don't see it as an emergency and won't change us to a room where the door locks. It's a budget hotel and there's no reception during the night. I cannot sleep knowing anyone could come into the room and harm us or take DD without me knowing.

Would you sleep under these conditions?

OP posts:
redbirdblackbird · 01/10/2023 05:36

Can you put the baby beside you so you can cuddle it and put something across the door? Is there furniture you can move?

Lizzieregina · 01/10/2023 05:40

Personally I wouldn’t sleep a wink!

Could you see if they have some kind of short pole (think like the handle of a sweeping brush) to put in the groove of the sliding door. This would prevent it from sliding. I have this on my own sliding door even though it locks!

Never mind, I see there’s no one to even ask for a stick.

Inyourwildestdreams · 01/10/2023 05:46

@guild I absolutely would not be staying in that room. Budget or not, you are paying for a room and it should be secure. I’d phone the emergency number again and be a bit more demanding. Failing that, I would stay up and be at reception for them opening in the morning.

m Is it just the 2 of you on holiday? Or are you with others that are elsewhere in the hotel?

WandaWonder · 01/10/2023 05:51

Why on earth is this an emergency? Do you think people are that there near your windows waiting to pounce? Most locks are easy to break and get in if people are that desperate so why would a simple lock make a difference?

Sure I would feel it was a little odd but no need for the dramatics

Pollyannamex · 01/10/2023 05:53

I would be very uncomfortable with this too, can you move a bed or anything in front of the door?

dressedforcomfort · 01/10/2023 05:55

I don't blame you OP. I absolutely would not be able to sleep. I'm assuming the emergency number is for the accommodation. What about your travel provider - Is there an English-speaking travel rep you can reach out to to?

kamboozled · 01/10/2023 05:55

WandaWonder · 01/10/2023 05:51

Why on earth is this an emergency? Do you think people are that there near your windows waiting to pounce? Most locks are easy to break and get in if people are that desperate so why would a simple lock make a difference?

Sure I would feel it was a little odd but no need for the dramatics

People are extra careful around their children - how much do you think Madeline's parents have regretted their decision

It's highly unlikely anything will happen, but it's kinda hard to sleep in that situation tbh

Happypotatoman · 01/10/2023 05:55

I hope you're asleep, but if you're not just think of the millions of families that camp in insecure tents. They get through the night unscathed. As will you. Sleep well.

MrsTerryPratchett · 01/10/2023 05:57

Happypotatoman · 01/10/2023 05:55

I hope you're asleep, but if you're not just think of the millions of families that camp in insecure tents. They get through the night unscathed. As will you. Sleep well.

Quite. It completely depends where you are as well.

Papillon23 · 01/10/2023 05:58

I'd be very unhappy and be b calling them again I think, assuming it's still properly middle of the night.

I'm normally fairly chilled about most things but I wouldn't like that at all.

If I had no success at all I'd probably try and put something in the door to stop it opening (does the rail lift out the wardrobe?) and then sleep with my child right next to me but I don't know if I would get off to sleep at all.

BitOutOfPractice · 01/10/2023 06:01

I’d also be worried about falling from balcony tbh.

Yerroblemom1923 · 01/10/2023 06:05

Put something noisy on the door so you'll wake up if it's opened. Or put some heavy furniture against it so a potential burglar would make a noise moving it to get in.

MariePaperRoses · 01/10/2023 06:10

I rarely locks doors so it wouldn't bother me. Much easier to get out in a fire.

More chances of a fire thank someone wanting to get in your room, I think.

Inyourwildestdreams · 01/10/2023 06:22

WandaWonder · 01/10/2023 05:51

Why on earth is this an emergency? Do you think people are that there near your windows waiting to pounce? Most locks are easy to break and get in if people are that desperate so why would a simple lock make a difference?

Sure I would feel it was a little odd but no need for the dramatics

@WandaWonder On her first holiday alone after losing her parter, my MIL woke up to find an aggressive drunk man in her room who had come in an unlocked balcony door. She was on the 7th floor and very laidback and never even considered locking the door when she went to bed.
It absolutely terrified her and she will no longer go abroad (which she loved!) or sleep comfortably in a hotel.

I personally wouldn’t sleep anywhere without a working lock, especially with a young child.

3luckystars · 01/10/2023 06:41

I felt that she is more worried about the child wandering out onto the balcony than someone breaking in.

3luckystars · 01/10/2023 06:43

(I was wrong about that btw)

Sholliedog · 01/10/2023 06:49

This happened to us last year too in a horrible hotel in Salou. I barely slept, we had toddler in the middle incase of escapes.

BarbaraofSeville · 01/10/2023 06:51

I agree I'd be more worried about a wandering toddler than intruder coming in through the balcony. Can you jam a chair against the door and put something on it that will make a noise if moved?

This will also likely detect an intruder in the unlikely event that someone is going to be going along the balcony trying doors to see if any are unexpectedly unlocked.

Saggypants · 01/10/2023 06:56

Can you wedge something like a broomstick or even a chair or coffee table in the sliding door track so the door can't be opened enough for a person to get through?

WhatsCookingFlora · 01/10/2023 06:57

I would kick up merry hell and be calling the emergency number until they sorted it out.

Sympathies, OP. People have different tolerance for risk (and some take pride in being the "cool mum") but mine is way below this!

Natsku · 01/10/2023 06:58

My biggest concern would be your toddler waking up and going for a wander, more likely than someone coming in. I would find it difficult to sleep too, blocking the door from the inside is a good idea.

Angryappendix · 01/10/2023 07:04

We are well travelled, ex travel industry workers and parents and we would not accept this as a family.

This is grounds to be moved urgently. Do you have a rep? If so you need to speak with them or your travel company asap if the hotel won’t do anything tomorrow.
I would move you hotels if you couldn’t find another room in that hotel, free of charge

People are comparing it to camping but with camping you sleep close together and there is no long drop off a balcony.

WhatsCookingFlora · 01/10/2023 07:09

WandaWonder · 01/10/2023 05:51

Why on earth is this an emergency? Do you think people are that there near your windows waiting to pounce? Most locks are easy to break and get in if people are that desperate so why would a simple lock make a difference?

Sure I would feel it was a little odd but no need for the dramatics

Yes, I do think there are people waiting to pounce. Not around every corner but there certainly are an unfortunate number. That's why you get burglary and rape and abduction.

I also think that small children and sleepwalkers and drink people go wandering at night and this is another risk.

Here's the risk assessment: The chances of it happening are low but the consequences if it did happen are incredibly serious. This precaution against it happening is incredibly simple and straightforward, costing me very little (I have no problem living up a fuss for something like this) and not taking it actually makes it more likely that the thing will happen (because most criminals are opportunists who will only carry out the crime where its easy to do so but give up if it's hard and/or carry it out on an easier target - perhaps you next door!).

It's pretty cold comfort if and when you happen to be one of the unlucky ones in a situation where you could easily have prevented it to think "oh but I thought it was so unlikely!".

UnaOfStormhold · 01/10/2023 07:14

Unfortunately hotel door locks are generally not very secure and there are fairly straightforward ways to open most of them. I went on a training course which included the advice to travel with a simple plastic door wedge so you can put it under the door - OP hope you made it through the night without incident - are you able to pick up a wedge for tomorrow?.

Theydontknowthatweknowthattheyknow · 01/10/2023 07:20

YANBU. I'd be more concerned about the little one waking up disorientated and leaving the room than someone getting in but both could have serious consequences if they happen. I'd be kicking up an absolute stink with the hotel and calling them every minute that I lose sleep