Originally Posted by
Nuhusky
id agree someone with bad intentions could overhear a room number and then follow the person but by the same token said bad actor could just as easily follow a person back to their room without knowing in advance what room they are in
best way to stay safe is immediately lock your deadbolt when you enter your room and exercise other normal precautions for public spaces
Agreed. But that's unavoidable, and can happen anywhere at any time, not just a hotel. It's why I tell people not to take alleys as a shortcut in Chicago (but you'd be surprised how common it is). Also, if someone is following me from the lobby, onto the elevator, and toward my room, I'm going to notice that. They have to be making an effort to keep up because an elevator is a great separator if they don't know your room number. If someone is knocking at my door when I'm asleep an hour later and disoriented, posing as hotel staff...
Maybe I just have a paranoid, suspicious mind. I don't mind if it's one on one with a hotel employee who asks for my room number, but it's different to me when it's a bartender (definitely happens) with a lot of eavesdroppers around. It just seems like a simple layer of extra security to only ask for it in writing.