Women Travelers - What Do We Girls Want in Hotel Security?

I recently spoke with an ex-VP of Hilton Hotels. He said that women did not really want security items, such as cameras in the hallways of hotels, at least when he worked at Hilton (invasion of privacy, he said, was the reason).

This got me thinking about what we really do want. So ladies, what would you like to see in the way of hotel security (escort to your room,... cameras in the hall, ladies only floor, door jams, covered peepholes, etc.)? And is there anything you would not want to see, such as the hallway cameras?

I want them not to loudly say my room number when checking in and I don't want it mentioned loudly if I'm travelling alone.

Simple security steps some hotels can't manage -but are far more effective than cameras etc.

I have no issue with cameras if they are viewed in an area where the public can't see them! I don't want some shoe salesman to see me walking alone to my room.

1. Professionalism at the Front Desk. Never announce one's room but simply write it down on the INSIDE of the card key cover, not the outside.

2. A dead-bolted door, not just some flimsy thing that goes around a lock.

3. Well-lit hallways

4. A room near the elevators

5. Well-lit parking lots

I want:


A well maintained property. If hotel management doesn't care about how it looks, I feel it doesn't care about the safety of its customers.
A floor assignment off the ground floor. The GM at the Canberra Park Hyatt couldn't understand why I felt unsafe in a ground level room with an area outside the room door that had visual barriers. They had no other room and I was stuck in it.
A peephole in the room door big enough to see anyone outside
Hotel staff who announce themselves when they come to the room door
A secondary lock on the room door that I can visually see has secured it
Visual locks on balcony doors


In general, I think that mid to upper tier properties get it these days. I was really quite shocked then to be preblocked onto the ground floor at the Canberra Park Hyatt last year (as a top tier elite, no less). I truly felt edgy in the room because of the outside area that was like an alcove, and almost invisible to anyone else outside.

I don't really care about this stuff. I think it's a hassle when hotels make be go to the front desk to pick up delivery for my safety.

I just want a deadbolt. That's it.

Another vote for a deadbolt. I also prefer rooms that are not on the ground floor.

Carol: For anyone who missed Randy's announcement or doesn't check the blogs in Boarding Area, I'm wondering if you might like to introduce yourself here.

And a welcome to you.

Maybe it's my US feminist upbringing, but I have trouble with the idea that "Girls" (how many girls are really out there staying in hotels without their parents?) have different hotel security preferences than men.

Maybe it's my US feminist upbringing, but I have trouble with the idea that "Girls" (how many girls are really out there staying in hotels without their parents?) have different hotel security preferences than men.

In general, I agree - except for the ground floor issue. As a woman, when I travel alone, I know I feel more vulnerable to rape/assault than my husband.

In general, I agree - except for the ground floor issue. As a woman, when I travel alone, I know I feel more vulnerable to rape/assault than my husband.

Being on the groud floor is an issue for me as well. The last time I was alone I ended up on the ground floor. It was the only room left. It was a room on an outside corner with big windows out to a patio when I walked out the door of my room. It freaked me out. I didn't sleep all night.

I like valet parking and give me a dead bolt too and I'm pretty much good to go.

Bobette

Not a girl thing, just a 5'2" thing: I would like a peephole low enough for me to actually use!

Maybe it's my US feminist upbringing, but I have trouble with the idea that "Girls" (how many girls are really out there staying in hotels without their parents?) have different hotel security preferences than men.Why even use the word "men" when women are referred to as "girls"? ;)

Women are typically targetted more than men are so I don't think that one's feminism should be called into question when one wants to know what our preferences are.

The avoidance of the ground floor is also upon which I request and always get. I would think that males would want that too if not for security than for the fact that the ground floor is often louder than upper floors.

I'm torn about the first floor thing. I don't mind the location, but I do hate it when housekeeping opens all the shades so I just have to close them right after I dead bolt. I wish they would leave them shut.

The way I feel about security guards: if you hire a cop to watch the hotel at night I almost wonder about the area of town i'm in. I'd rather stay at a hotel that doesn't need to hire a guard or a cop.

I don't really have an opinion about cameras in hallways. I don't always dress completely to go to the soda machine, but I wear enough that someone in the hall won't see anything they shouldn't.

I'm torn about the first floor thing. I don't mind the location, but I do hate it when housekeeping opens all the shades so I just have to close them right after I dead bolt. I wish they would leave them shut.Ahhh, yet another reason to like being above the ground floor. I hate having to close the curtains because passerbyers can peep right in.

but I have trouble with the idea that "Girls" (how many girls are really out there staying in hotels without their parents?) have different hotel security preferences than men.

Agreed. Preferences aside, I see no appreciable difference between the safety/security needs of men and women.

Women are typically targetted more than men are so I don't think that one's feminism should be called into question when one wants to know what our preferences are.

It's hard to quantify since separate hotel crime statistics aren't kept by police departments, but I think it is naive to presume that men aren't also frequently targetted by criminals. It seems to me the underlying needs for a safe and secure property are the same for all travelers.

In addition to what others have mentioned I'd like key card access in the elevators for non-public floors - i.e. the only way you can get onto the 9th floor is if you're staying on the 9th floor. Maybe not essential everywhere but I think the practice should be more widespread than it is.

In addition to what others have mentioned I'd like key card access in the elevators for non-public floors - i.e. the only way you can get onto the 9th floor is if you're staying on the 9th floor. Maybe not essential everywhere but I think the practice should be more widespread than it is.

I wouldn't be opposed to non-public floors being restricted to keycard access by guests only, but I think limiting access by floor would be extremely inconvenient for many reasons.

Here's just one example. I often find myself on the floor with the out-of-order ice machine and/or no vending machines. Under your proposal I wouldn't be able to just pop up (or down) a level to get what I need.

The primary crime at hotels is theft, which seems pretty indiscriminate in terms of gender. But another crime that happens at hotels is sexual assault up to and including rape. Outside of prison, that crime would have women as the victims more frequently than men.

Why even use the word "men" when women are referred to as "girls"? ;)

Women are typically targetted more than men are so I don't think that one's feminism should be called into question when one wants to know what our preferences are.

The avoidance of the ground floor is also upon which I request and always get. I would think that males would want that too if not for security than for the fact that the ground floor is often louder than upper floors.

Interesting. I usually prefer the ground floor and I'm a 'girl' (isn't that like saying guy for men? :confused:). I consider the risk of fire at a hotel to be as great or greater than other security problems, and a ground floor room would allow you to go out the window without breaking a leg (or worse). I stayed at the Hilton in Austin a couple of years ago and was on the 25th floor. I kept wondering the whole week how I would get out if there was a major fire, whether the fire department had ladders that would reach that high, and how they would get me out onto said ladder (given I have a pronounced fear of heights :( they would probably have to hogtie me first).

allenfane

Maybe it's my US feminist upbringing, but I have trouble with the idea that "Girls" (how many girls are really out there staying in hotels without their parents?) have different hotel security preferences than men.

:D Maybe it's my German feminist upbringing, but I stopped being a 'girl' at the time that one began to address me as 'Sie'.

(yes, the thread title irked me and drew me in)

And I prefer not to have a ground floor room, but I know many men who feel the same way. Often those rooms are noisier due to passing foot traffic, proximity to public areas, and/or have car lights shining into them.

I'm a 'girl' (isn't that like saying guy for men? :confused:).

I think it would be like saying 'boys' for men.

Word choice aside, I do appreciate a phone call when I have a package being delivered so I know someone will be coming up who is part of the hotel staff. I also like to stay on keyed-floors. I often select smaller hotels where I know the staff will come to know/recognize patrons after a day and ask to see room keys from those they don't recognize.

Cameras in the hall I see as a positive, not a negative. And whether I can see them or not, I assume they are always there.

OK, I thought of one more thing. I'm not fond of hotels with super long corridors and turns in them. I feel more secure when I can see the entire corridor and if anything was untoward, simply return to the elevator.

Having said that, I've spent most of my adult career traveling for business and pleasure, averaging perhaps two weeks a month on the road over those years. The quality of property I stay in has risen substantially over the years. I can still remember a wretched property I stayed at in Dayton, Ohio, while on business, with room doors opening to the parking lot and the motel filled with rough and tumble truckers. That kind of property still exists, but without me as a customer.

Today, I really don't think much about personal security because it is obvious thru hotel design that hotel management IS thinking about that. My experience at the Canberra Hyatt last year and the dismissive attitude by the GM of my safety concerns is fortunately an anomoly.

Interesting. I usually prefer the ground floor and I'm a 'girl' (isn't that like saying guy for men? :confused:).

I think it would be like saying 'boys' for men.


The feminine of "guy" would be "gal." But you don't hear that much outside the deep south. ;)

What I look for (not saying the room # is generic and should be basic policy, not gender specific)

- Room doors on the inside
- Not a ground floor room when there is access from the outside, e.g. if the ground drops outside the window, that's fine but if its a walk out - no good
- Well lit parking lot, hallways, etc
- Responsiveness on the part of hotel security/staff should something get reported (suspicious people hanging out in the hallways; unlocked doors to the outside that should be locked, etc)
- Deadbolt on the door
- Locks and the bar for a sliding glass door if I have one.
- No connecting rooms

Oh and nice fluffy towels and decent shampoo :D

My security-related preferences:



Do not give me a room on a ground floor that can be accessed through an easily-broken window
Do not put me in a room that connects with another room (such as the companion room next to the handicap room)
Don't tell me my room number
Don't ask me if there is 'just one?' especially if there isn't a charge based on number of people in the room
Provide me with an in-room safe that is big enough to hold something, and let me set the security code for it

My security-related preferences:




Don't ask me if there is 'just one?' especially if there isn't a charge based on number of people in the room



Along these lines, whenever I'm asked "How many keys?" I always ask for two.

Ditto on disliking the adjoining rooms.


The feminine of "guy" would be "gal." But you don't hear that much outside the deep south. ;)

Yes, I think in most parts "guys" has come to be inclusive of both genders ... like saying, "Hi guys" to a mixed crowd.

I dislike adjoining rooms, but more for noise than security. The two are related though, because I know I feel far more self conscious raising noise issues when I'm travelling on my own.

I would pay extra for a hotel with a "quiet floor", where there were penalties (financial, like the smoking in non-smoking room penalties) for noise. I seem to always get put beside the convention/corporate function groups (or once, in a high end hotel, a juvenile hockey team :().

I think it is naive to presume that men aren't also frequently targetted by criminals. It seems to me the underlying needs for a safe and secure property are the same for all travelers.Responding to a question here in this forum about what our safety preferences are somehow presumes to you that men are not concerned with safety? That conclusion seems as bizarre as wondering if one's feminism should be called into question by responding to that same question. My concern about safety is only about my concern for safety. No other weight attached. ;)

Interesting. I usually prefer the ground floor and I'm a 'girl'.You're not a 'woman' but merely a 'girl'? ;)

I consider the risk of fire at a hotel to be as great or greater than other security problems, and a ground floor room would allow you to go out the window without breaking a leg (or worse).Makes sense to me if that is what is important to you. Who said women are supposed to be in lockstep with what we prefer for safety?

I don't live on the ground floor of my building nor would I stay in a hotel's ground floor for the exact same reason. Your concern about fire is as important to you as mine is about privacy in being high up.

Along these lines, whenever I'm asked "How many keys?" I always ask for two.That's interesting. I like that.

I don't live on the ground floor of my building nor would I stay in a hotel's ground floor for the exact same reason. Your concern about fire is as important to you as mine is about privacy in being high up.


I think of thinks in frequency of events. A hotel fire is a rare event. Someone having the ability to look into my room and see my stuff until I return to close the shades is a daily occurrence on the ground floor of a hotel and any floor of a motel. I do like the convenience of not having to mess with elevators as much (I take the stairs when it's just me, but I don't like hauling my bags upstairs) so a ground floor room can be nice in that respect.



I don't like getting ground floor rooms, but I usually forget to not be on the ground floor because I think of the convenience of carrying my stuff (i guess i blissfully forget that means it's easier for someone else to walk out with my stuff). I'd hate to be in a fire, but I would never rearrange my life to avoid one.

Here are mine:

* Never say my room number or floor out loud. (if you do, I will make a point of asking for a manager AND asking for a new room)
* Rooms close to the elevator (and preferably not down the bend in a hallway or near an alcove (like an ice inlet, staircase, or unlocked housekeeping cubby)
* Two keys given
* No ground floor rooms (these give me the creeps)
* Room service that calls up before entering my room. (and I will always stand IN the doorway while they place the tray and will never stop to sign until they are back out my door again - I get weirded out by room service people being in my room)
* Calls from the hotel for any other services (turndown, etc.) - and never entering my room if the DND sign is out (I just had this happen at a Westin a couple of weeks ago and it scared me)
* Valet parking (I often arrive at hotels late at night and depart before dawn)
* Key card access for guest floors

I'd never really thought about adjoining rooms but now I will think about that more carefully.

And I don't mind the girl moniker, as evidenced by my handle. ;)

Responding to a question here in this forum about what our safety preferences are somehow presumes to you that men are not concerned with safety? That conclusion seems as bizarre as wondering if one's feminism should be called into question by responding to that same question.


Posting the question in this forum (motto:No we don't travel the same as you guys) implies that women's security needs are substantially different than men's. If you find that conclusion bizarre, well... I can live with that. ;)

Agreed. Preferences aside, I see no appreciable difference between the safety/security needs of men and women.


I don't think you need statistics to see that women are more often the targets of violent crime and that they are less able to defend themselves (or even run as fast) in most cases.

While this might not have an influence on the individually felt need for extra protection, it clearly bears on the society's moral imperative for protecting women. This can be seen in many security related rituals like women and children first on life boats or men accompanying women to the door (yes, this is safety related and not just kiss related :) ) or even back to their table after asking for a dance. You can also see it in special parking spots for women close to the exit doors and with better lighting, cameras and alarm buttons.

However, I am not sure what is practical to implement in hotels except perhaps a lower peep hole in the door. The rest should be and is pretty much standard. A sensor that indicates whether someone is in the room from the outside when the key card is provided would be great. Who knows who's waiting in your room? If there is no valet service a good hotel would certainly send the bell boy along if you had to go to your car alone at night. You'd just have to ask. Even a request for an escort to your room (make sure you ask this the right way ;) ) should be met with nothing but "At your service, ma'am!"

As far as fire hazards are concerned, ladders are usually not more than eight floors high. I think the biggest telescoping arms reach around 50m. That is perhaps the 12th floor. However, it is not certain that the local FD has such an arm. If you are higher than that, rescue would have to come from the top. Helicopter rescue is hardly possible. Jumping from the 25th floor, burn or suffocate? Not a decision I hope to make EVER! That's around 250ft high. You could die from the impact even if jumping into one of those inflatable cushions, which would have to be positioned just so for you not to miss it. Scared yet? Get something around the third floor. You might even be able to jump without a broken bone if you are lucky.

Till

I don't think you need statistics to see that women are more often the targets of violent crime and that they are less able to defend themselves (or even run as fast) in most cases.

We are talking about hotel crime, aren't we?

Posting the question in this forum (motto:No we don't travel the same as you guys) implies that women's security needs are substantially different than men's. If you find that conclusion bizarre, well... I can live with that. ;)If the question were asked anywhere else, I'd answer it and my response wouldn't have any kind of implication whatsoever. ;)

* Room service that calls up before entering my room. (and I will always stand IN the doorway while they place the tray and will never stop to sign until they are back out my door again - I get weirded out by room service people being in my room)So you carry the tray (or wheel in the table) yourself? I really never thought of it. In particular, if I get a room in which, say, the TV is not working, the hotel usually sends in the repair guy immediately. Maybe I should rethink that.

A sensor that indicates whether someone is in the room from the outside when the key card is provided would be great. Who knows who's waiting in your room?What hotels have these sensors? Or this is something you'd love for them to have?

If the question were asked anywhere else, I'd answer it and my response wouldn't have any kind of implication whatsoever. ;)


Thank you. That's my point. :)

Thank you. That's my point. :)Then I guess you always did understand. Cool.

We are talking about hotel crime, aren't we?

Of course, we are. But what difference does it make if you are molested (let alone anything worse) in a hotel or on the street? If you only consider the possibility of getting something stolen, which is indeed the highest probability of hotel crime things that could happen, yes, there is no need to protect women especially. If we are looking at how easy the hotel environment makes a physical attack on a woman, possibly easier even than in normal circumstances, then it makes perfect sense to wonder what can be done to at least decrease the chances of an attack and make the ladies feel really safe.



What hotels have these sensors? Or this is something you'd love for them to have?

I know not of a single hotel that has such a sensor. Would be a good idea, though and not hard to implement. I had the idea based on the Volvo C30. Volvo came out with a heartbeat sensor for that. Say you are approaching your car at night. Someone is hiding in the car to attack you as soon as you enter the car. The heartbeat sensor picks up his heartbeat and shows you on your key remote that someone is actually in your car. You can then hit the alarm button on the remote. Better yet, call the police, have them come, then press the alarm button and have the person arrested right away.

One could make that even simpler but not quite as effective with a simple counter that indicates whether the door has been opened since you closed it when leaving the room.

Till

Quite an interesting read I think. Running the danger of going off-topic and into the general travel security topic, I think that many of the things mentioned are more or less the standard security measures that should be in place anywhere for any traveler.

As a matter of fact, much of what has been said (don't announce the room number, confirm / announce any kind of room service, deadbolts, door spies etc.) are what we are instructed to ask for/ensure when we travel (men and women alike).

We're also instructed to insist on rooms between the 3rd and the 7th floor: Not lower to avoid burglars not higher to ensure that we can leave the facility in case of a fire (or power outage - ever tried to walk up/down for 30 floors?)

Interestingly, I was staying repeatedly at a budget chain in the UK - Premier Inn. It's got a pretty good standard for a budget chain, and I got to know some of the front desk staff. They are trained in several things to ensure that women guests feel safer, many of which are the things we are asking for - not telling us the room key number unless reception is empty, putting us above the ground floor - and the peep hole was at a reasonable height. It's the first time I've come across a chain in the UK which actually has proactively made these changes, and staff are trained in them. I expressed my appreciation that these things were considered (one of the staff members was new, which is why it came up - I thought a little reinforcement wouldn't hurt ;)).

I think SanDiego1k mentioned my other bugbear - unlit parking areas.

Then I guess you always did understand. Cool.

My point was (and still is) that this topic is not of unique importance to women. Posting it in this forum implies that women need something different than men do.

If we are looking at how easy the hotel environment makes a physical attack on a woman, possibly easier even than in normal circumstances, then it makes perfect sense to wonder what can be done to at least decrease the chances of an attack and make the ladies feel really safe.

Why is rape the only violent crime being mentioned? Assaults and room invasions linked to robberies (committed against both sexes) are more likely to occur at hotels than rapes, and hotel murders, while relatively rare, are certainly not limited to women.

My point is that the hotel environment can make the possibility of a physical attack on anyone a possibility. This topic is not gender specific; all guests benefit when hotels take appropriate security measures.

I think that many of the things mentioned are more or less the standard security measures that should be in place anywhere for any traveler.


^^ Exactly. Unfortuantely, anyone can be the victim of hotel crime.

My point was (and still is) that this topic is not of unique importance to women. Posting it in this forum implies that women need something different than men do.Perhaps to you, it does. To me, women and men are not the same. Their needs aren't the same either. Heck, women are not the same. Not all women require the same things regarding security. Hence that is why we were asked. ^

I had the idea based on the Volvo C30. Volvo came out with a heartbeat sensor for that. Say you are approaching your car at night. Someone is hiding in the car to attack you as soon as you enter the car. The heartbeat sensor picks up his heartbeat and shows you on your key remote that someone is actually in your car. You can then hit the alarm button on the remote. Better yet, call the police, have them come, then press the alarm button and have the person arrested right away.Wow. Of all the Volvo ads I've seen, I've never seen this feature advertised. It is terrific!!!

To me, women and men are not the same. Their needs aren't the same either. Heck, women are not the same.

Agreed. We're all as unique as individual snowflakes. That said, though, the safety requirements listed in this thread are standard precautions that should be done to ensure everyone's safety. Nothing mentioned so far uniquely protects women.

Fwiw I agree that, generally speaking, women are more likely to be targetted for crime than men, but no more so than the elderly, the disabled, the distracted, the timid, and those who flaunt their valuables, regardless of gender.

Fwiw I agree that, generally speaking, women are more likely to be targetted for crime than men, but no more so than the elderly, the disabled, the distracted, the timid, and those who flaunt their valuables, regardless of gender.I agree. I would also add those who are petite to that list.

I think the posters have covered everything that I'd look for. The big one is not saying the room number out loud. I hate that...

My big one is adjoining rooms. In London last year I asked to be moved OUT of a room because it was adjoining another and there was an access door between them. Front desk in their wisdom moved me into ANOTHER room with TWO adjoining doors. Unfortunately the hotel was sold out so they could not move me again, however these doors felt safer as I could deadbolt them from my side. Didnt stop me putting my umbrella over the one I couldnt see from my bed though!

Other things I like in a hotel room from a female point of view (keeping in mind for many years my motel/hotel stays were dictated by what was avaliable in the small country towns I stayed at) are:


No adjoining rooms if possible
1st floor or above
smaller hotel where the staff know you
double dead bolts
decent sized safe

My big one is adjoining rooms. In London last year I asked to be moved OUT of a room because it was adjoining another and there was an access door between them.
Interesting, I wouldn't have thought of that. I have always seen adjoining rooms with a deadbolt on "my" side and no way for the other party to unlock it. It doesn't seem any less secure to me than the hallway door, but perhaps I'm missing something.
Dave

Things I'd like:

a real deadbolt
a door stop, not to keep the door open, but rather, to allow for extra security by sliding it under the door to make it more difficult to open
a room that's on at least the 3rd floor
no exterior entrances
write my room number on the inside of the key folder, don't tell me the room number
a very well-lit parking lot
well-lit entrances
very little landscaping as far as bushes, shrubs, and trees that would allow for places to hide
housekeeping that doesn't enter if the dnd sign is on the door, and that if I leave the TV on or lights on when I leave, keeps them on when they're done
no adjoining rooms
a peephole in the door, so I can see if someone is out there
if the room is large, multiple phones, so that if I need the phone in an emergency, I have options on which to grab
straight corridors, with no recesses for places for people to hide
well-lit corridors
well-maintained hotels
attentive employees, because they're more likely to notice if someone is doing something odd

I always travel with a rubber door stop, but my mom has an electronic one that squeals if someone tries to open the door. Last summer, though I stayed in a place with my boss (separate rooms) that had sliding glass doors leading out to the courtyard outside hallway. Didn't sleep the first night, but once I moved stuff in front of it I felt better. At first she laughed, but then I heard her doing the same thing.

I do like the hidden room number, as well as 3rd floor+. And I do like it when a hotel goes the extra mile for my security. My 6'3" husband is not as likely to be targeted.

Not a girl thing, just a 5'2" thing: I would like a peephole low enough for me to actually use!

This is my #1 pet peeve in hotel security. Why put the peephole at an "average" height? Men don't use them, and many women can't reach that height.

I dislike adjoining rooms, but more for noise than security. The two are related though, because I know I feel far more self conscious raising noise issues when I'm travelling on my own.

I would pay extra for a hotel with a "quiet floor", where there were penalties (financial, like the smoking in non-smoking room penalties) for noise. I seem to always get put beside the convention/corporate function groups (or once, in a high end hotel, a juvenile hockey team :().

I LOVE the idea of a penalty for NOISY guests!!! ^ I have had my fair share of shockers in that regard.

*I also dont like adjoining rooms and specifically request NO adjoining rooms for noise issues and security issues. 9/10 times my request is honoured.
*I request HIGH floors
*I like to see good, working locks/deadbolts on the door. EEK, Le Meridien SIN had a broken bolt but it was already my 2nd room change :td:.
*I dont like being NEAR the elevators due to noise, but dont want to be at the end of a dingy, dark corridor either. Good lighting is VIP.
*Dont say my room number out loud at reception.
*I ditch the keyholder with room number on it as soon as I have memorised my room no. :D.
* If I call to advise security that there is domestic violence going on next door and I am feeling unsafe and its disturbing my child (also a girl)....attend immediately, not 1 hr later :(.
*Regular security staff patrols around the hotel and grounds.

I am a "girl" (just see my handle ;) ) and a woman and either terminology is fine by me.

Thanks for starting this thread, its an interesting one.

Why put the peephole at an "average" height? Men don't use them,

Really?

...many women can't reach that height.

Again I have to ask, really? My 5'2" daughter has never encountered one she can't use, though sometimes she has to stand on her tip-toes to do so.

It seems to me "average" height is a reasonable compromise. If peepholes were all set to be easily used by my daughter, it would make it tough for my 6' niece to also use them. Surely tall women have as much right to safety from peepholes as short women?

Really?



Again I have to ask, really? My 5'2" daughter has never encountered one she can't use, though sometimes she has to stand on her tip-toes to do so.

It seems to me "average" height is a reasonable compromise. If peepholes were all set to be easily used by my daughter, it would make it tough for my 6' niece to also use them. Surely tall women have as much right to safety from peepholes as short women?

I agree. A peep hole at around 5ft 6in should be well placed to be reached by a 5ft person or by a 6'2" person. Might actually be easier for the smaller person.

Dave, bseller, the adjoining room door is ANOTHER entry way into the room. So in principle it is a security risk. It's just as safe or unsafe as the actual corridor door but now you have two access points.

As far as high up rooms go, I think I already said that, it makes sense to choose one not higher than 8th floor because most fire ladders can't reach higher. I regularly don't follow my own advice because the view you can get from a room in a high floor is just too alluring. ;)

Till

Again I have to ask, really? My 5'2" daughter has never encountered one she can't use, though sometimes she has to stand on her tip-toes to do so.

It seems to me "average" height is a reasonable compromise. If peepholes were all set to be easily used by my daughter, it would make it tough for my 6' niece to also use them. Surely tall women have as much right to safety from peepholes as short women?

I am just under 5' tall and have encountered numerous peep holes I cannot see through standing on the tippiest of tippy toes.

A tall man or woman can always bend down. A short person can only stretch so far. I'm not generally an advocate of lowest common denominator, but in safety and physical restrictions, sometimes you have to bend a bit (pardon the pun).

I've never considered changing rooms due to an adjoining room attached simply because there has always been some kind of a deadbolt.

I am just under 5' tall and have encountered numerous peep holes I cannot see through standing on the tippiest of tippy toes.

A tall man or woman can always bend down. A short person can only stretch so far. I'm not generally an advocate of lowest common denominator, but in safety and physical restrictions, sometimes you have to bend a bit (pardon the pun).
Exactly. OklAAhoma's daughter notwithstanding, there are MANY hotel peepholes that I have not been able to see through. I have stayed in an awful lot of hotels around the world, and believe me, I wouldn't just make this issue up.

It is a hell of a lot easier for a tall person to bend down to a see through a peephole placed at 5'0" than it is for me to drag a chair over to the door so that I can see out of a peephole placed at 5'6". Remember, peoples' eyes are not located at the very tops of their heads...so a 5'6" high peephole is going to be a lot higher than I can see even standing on tiptoes!

I would pay extra for a hotel with a "quiet floor", where there were penalties (financial, like the smoking in non-smoking room penalties) for noise.

Me too!!! What a great idea!

* If I call to advise security that there is domestic violence going on next door and I am feeling unsafe and its disturbing my child (also a girl)....attend immediately, not 1 hr later :(.


You called security and not the Police? It would be unsafe for Security to investigate the situation, since it is clearly a police matter. I'm sure Security probably contacted Police and the delay was likely in the police response.