To take an extra door lock to a hotel?

[MrsSchrute]

I'm travelling alone for work next week, staying overnight in a hotel.

I'm thinking of buying an extra lock to secure the hotel door, I've read too many threads on here about people walking into hotel rooms to feel totally relaxed!

Am I being overcautious? Have you used an extra lock? Is there one you would recommend?

Why not buy a door wedge? It is unlikely anything will happen but if u are concerned why not do this?

I'd say take a rape alarm instead, I used to have one rigged up to my shed door.

Do those extra lock things actually work?

Just put the chain on?

Whatever you decide make sure you can still get out speedily in a fire. That's much more likely.

I always take a portable door lock with me when I travel for work as that’s the only time I stay alone in hotel rooms. I never used to but I was staying overnight in a hotel for work around 2 years ago and in the middle of the night a man stumbled into my room at 2am and climbed into bed! It was an innocent mistake, he had come back drunk and lost his key card so asked for a replacement one at reception and misremembered his room number and said mine instead. They obviously didn’t check his name or ID before giving him a key card for my room otherwise they would have noticed the name being wrong so he had just stumbled up and let himself in thinking it was his room. No harm done but it did make me realise that hotel security isn’t all it should be so since then I’ve always taken a portable lock! X

https://door-jammer.co.uk/shop/

My DH used to travel to dodgy countries with work and always had an under door alarm that he used all the time. He had several attempts at people trying to break into his room. Definitely do it!

I’ve never done this nor have I ever considered it.
I would just urge you to think extra carefully about needing to get out in a hurry - no one has ever come into my room unexpectedly but I’ve had to evacuate twice in the night after the fire alarms went off!

I think if it makes you feel secure then why not. As others have said just make sure you can exit quickly and easily in a fire.

A door jamb should do the job. As indeed would putting the bolt across

Most hotel rooms do not have bolts or chains. I agree with an alarm wedge, they are great, While you want to stop anyone sneakily trying to get in, do not make it so nobody can get in or out in an emergency.

More than likely unnecessary but for the sake of a wedge from the £1 shop do it for peace of mind

You can always wedge the chair under the door handle or up against it, and cover the spy hole too.

This!

I take a wedge, I was once given the room key to someone else’s room and walked in on them napping, since then I’ve always tried to have a wedge.

I bought a hotel door alarm from Amazon that I use in all hotel stays. It just hangs over the door handle inside the room and if anyone touches the door handle on the outside - a loud alarm goes off.

I don’t stay in hotels often, and yet twice someone has tried to open my door while the chain was on. And I’ve had to evacuate twice due to fire alarms. I always use a wedge now, and wouldn’t stay anywhere without one.

Wedge is a great idea! Thanks all.

It is until you're incapacitated by smoke in a fire.

I've started in dozens of hotels on my own for work and leisure and it has never occurred to me to use anything other than the dead bolt or chain provided. Nor has anyone ever tried to get into my room.

I stay in hotels regularly and rarely see a bolt or chain!

Roll up a hotel towel and wedge it at the bottom of the door. Impossible to open and costs nothing!

I've used a wedge since housekeeping nearly walked in on me having a bath...

If your company are putting you up in a hotel where this could happen, should they not fund the wedge?

I paid extra for early check in. Was seconds away from using the bathroom (no door, open to bedroom!) and in walked three men in suits. They apologised and left promptly. So yes, extra security measures are a good idea!