What Do We Girls Want in Hotel Security?
Jan 7, 2010, 9:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Orlando, FL
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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?
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?
Jan 8, 2010, 7:40 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LHR/LGW
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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.
Simple security steps some hotels can't manage -but are far more effective than cameras etc.
Jan 8, 2010, 8:02 am
#3
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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.
Jan 8, 2010, 9:18 am
#4
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,189
What do I want?
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
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
Last edited by Analise; Jan 8, 2010 at 10:25 am
Jan 8, 2010, 9:59 am
#5
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,755
I want:
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.
- 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.
Jan 8, 2010, 11:00 am
#8
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
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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.
And a welcome to you.
Jan 8, 2010, 11:24 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DEN
Posts: 1,962
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.
Last edited by Katja; Jan 8, 2010 at 11:34 am
Jan 8, 2010, 11:38 am
#10
Community Director Emerita
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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.
Jan 8, 2010, 12:08 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 8,142
I like valet parking and give me a dead bolt too and I'm pretty much good to go.
Bobette
Jan 8, 2010, 4:51 pm
#13
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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.
Jan 8, 2010, 4:58 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: CLT
Posts: 7,249
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.
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.
Jan 8, 2010, 5:04 pm
#15
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Ahhh, yet another reason to like being above the ground floor. I hate having to close the curtains because passerbyers can peep right in.