Whether they take a flight or drive, most people when they travel on vacations or holidays usually stay at a hotel or a resort. What they may not be aware of is that their vacation could be ruined by professional thieves who make their living by targeting any unsuspecting tourist. These thieves love to hang around hotels and resorts, especially in the lobbies, watching for tourists who are easy pickings.
Here are some useful travel tips that may help you feel more secure in your hotel room when you travel on a holiday or a business trip.
First of all, the lobbies of hotels and resorts should never be considered secure, even in the five star ones. People on vacation may be easy pickings for opportunistic thieves, especially at peak times when the hotel reception staff are busy with new guests arriving and other guests that are trying to check out. Never leave your travel luggage, even for a minute, unless you know for sure that its being looked after by a bellman.
If you are having a bite to eat in the hotel restaurant when on holiday, especially a buffet, never leave your briefcase, laptop, or handbag unguarded to get a drink or something more to eat. It would only take a thief a split second to make off with them. It would be almost impossible for the staff of the hotel to be constantly looking out for these criminals.
When booking your hotel room, it is preferable to book one that is on the second, third, fourth, or fifth floors, as ground floor rooms are more susceptible to break ins. Remember that hotel rooms above the fifth floor may not be accessible by many fire engine ladders if a fire ever breaks out in the hotel.
Be sure and check to make sure that the door to your room locks properly, and that the windows and sliding doors open, but also lock securely. Many hotels and resorts use electronic card keys for their hotel room doors as they offer more security than metal keys. Do not carry your key card in its folder if the folder has the room number on it. Jot down the room number on a piece of paper, keep it on your person when you go out, and leave the folder in your room.
Always identify unfamiliar hotel staff or visitors to your room before you open your door. Call down to the front desk if in doubt as to the authenticity of that person. It is advisable not to give your room number to anyone that you dont know and trust.
It may not be a good idea to hang a clean the room sign on the door knob when you go out, as that signals to a would be thief that theres probably no one in the room.
Do not assume that your hotel room door is locked just because it closes automatically when you leave. Check to make sure that its really locked. If your room has a balcony, make sure the sliding glass door is also locked as it may be possible for someone to climb on to your balcony from a balcony thats above, below, or beside yours.
Never leave any valuables lying around in plain view in your hotel room. They may be too tempting for some cleaning staff to resist. Place all small valuables in your room safe if there is one. Keep in mind that the safes that use metal keys are not as secure as the ones that use electronic key cards.
The next best bet if there isnt a safe in your room is to lock your small valuables in your largest suitcase when you go out. Locked, hard sided travel luggage offers the best security. Some travelers use duct tape to secure small valuables to the underside of the hotel room furniture.
Always use your doors deadbolt and chain lock at night before you go to sleep, or if you feel like taking a nap.
There is a small, inexpensive, battery-operated, motion-sensitive, burglar alarm that can be hung on the inside hotel door knob, or there is a wedge-shaped alarm that you can push under the door that accomplishes the same thing. If someone tries to open your door, the alarm will sound.
There are two less sophisticated methods you can use. You could move a chair in front of the hotel door and place the back rest under the knob, or wedge a standard rubber door stopper under the door. Both of these two methods are also effective.
When you pack and get ready to check out of your hotel or resort, remember to empty your room safe. And last but not least, count the pieces of luggage you brought with you and make sure that everything has been put in your taxi.
The most important thing you should keep in mind is to always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times when youre on holidays.