My $10 digital watch has a high-pitched alarm. This always wakes me up. I only use the hotel wake-up as a backup. Also, I often find that the in-room alarm clocks are sometimes tricky to set. I do not rely on alarm clocks that I am not personally familiar with. I have found hotel alarm clocks to have the volume cut off, tuned to an empty radio band, or have confusing AM/PM settings. Only rely on your own alarm devices!