Checked into a ground-floor room at the Hampton Inn - Sea World San Diego last Friday afternoon.

I didn't notice until Sat morning that the patio door was unlocked the whole time I was there. Both the door latch and the safety bar were in the open position.

I neglected to notify the management because I was annoyed and was leaving that morning. Also, nothing was missing from my room, despite me leaving my laptop out in the open in perfect view through the glass patio doors.

Has this happened to anyone else? I don't expect any compensation, but would it be out of line to write a letter to that hotel's manager?

So the patio door was unlocked when you first entered the room? Honestly, if so, I do not see anything to complain about. I understand this as my personal responsibility and my personal security check when I am in the room, especially when being on ground floor.

Or shall they signpost: "Beware, doors can be unlocked" like the advise McDonalds gives you on hot coffee in a cup??

Maybe the American way of thinking is different but in the UK I check doors and windows myself - it is MY and nobody elses safety.

Always, always, always check your room! Stews are taught to check under the bed, in the showers, closets, etc! Always check your room out... for boogey men! Also, I once walked into a Pilot's room while he was half-undressed. I backed up, let the door slam and ran!!! They gave the same room to two different people! Always ask for 2 keys so this doesn't happen to you. A front desk person once told me there is a max of two room keys per room. You got lucky, darling! Most hotels has signs all over the place that say they are not responsible for lost or stolen goods. But you never know what you'll get out of a letter. A free stay? If you win that prize, I'm guessing you'll promptly check the latches and locks!

So after YOU entered the room and YOU unpacked your belongings including your laptop and then YOU left the room, YOU want to complain that the hotel left the door unlocked?

Your hotel room is your home while you are there; you are responsible for your safety - the hotel is responsible for providing you with what you need to be safe (i.e.: locks on doors, in-room safes).

I think you need to learn how to be a more saavy traveller and take more responsibilty for your actions (or lack thereof).

I can already see where this thread is going.

Fasten your seat belts and ensure that all of the doors are locked as we head on over to the TravelBuzz! forum, where this discussion continues.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Hilton forum

Yes, when I am going out of my room, I always try, if the room is locked. In some hotels the door closed not enough, so everyone can open it without any force.

There are countries where they walk you with an armed security guard to your room and tell you not to open the door to anyone you don't recognise during the night. THOSE rooms should be locked when you arrive, others are your own responsibility.

Nothing was stolen. I would count my lucky stars and keep this as lesson for the future. ^

I agree with most of the posters that ensuring your property is secure once you check in is your responsibility, but I also see your point that if you don't use the sliding door, you wouldn't expect to need to check it at all and should be able to consider it locked. One of those good reminders to all travelers to not take anything for granted

This reminds me of a stay I had once had at an airport hotel. Got in very late at night and went right to bed. Could not believe how noisy the room was, even for an airport hotel. When I got up in the morning and pulled back the curtains, I saw I had slept right under the airport flight pattern with the window OPEN all night. Never thought to check the window. Once I closed and locked the window, you would not believe how quiet the room got! Shame on me, always check the windows and doors. (and maybe it is just me, but the closet and behind the shower curtain, cause I know that's where the bogey man lives).

While I agree that it is your responsibility to check the windows and doors, I would still notify hotel management. Housekeeping should close and lock all possible entrances to the room. As a female business traveler, it would make me very nervous if the possibility existed that a stranger snuck into the room after housekeeping and before my arrival.

One of the first things I do when entering a hotel room, especially one of the first floor, is check to make sure all doors are locked and secured, not just the front door. It is just common sense and I'm not sure why the hotel should be held responsible.

I was at a Holiday Inn in the Plaza in Kansas City that was in the process of being remodeled. My door did not automatically lock when shut. I called down to the front desk and they advised me to throw the latch. WTH? So I asked them, what about when I am not in my room? I was told by the front desk clerk no one is going to come in your room and take anything. I informed him that I took my safety a lot more seriously than he did and requested an immediate room change so he sent someone up with a key. It's amazing what does and doesn't work at hotels and I always jiggle locks, doors, check windows, sliding glass doors, etc.

This is your fault because you would not have stayed there is you had searched the Hilton forum for reviews of that property. FT is a fantastic tool that works for your safety as well as your comfort.

I guess I am a little too oblivious when it comes to my travels. I know I should assume the worst, but I would think all the doors are secured after a room cleaning, between guests, etc.

However, assuming I was a bit brighter about things and checked the locks upon entering, isn't it surprising that the patio door is unlocked?

Like another poster said, I don't actually use the patio doors when I get a room that has one. When I get ground floor rooms, most of the time I'd get a window that was locked to prevent anyone from opening it (from inside), or a limit to how far it could open.

I've read reviews of this hotel via the search function. After staying there this past Oct, yes, I can say the area may be scary to some people, but wouldn't that prompt the staff to be just that more aware? Again, I probably assume too much from my hotel?