19 Hotel Room Checks Women Traveling Alone Make Before Unpacking

Editor’s note: This article offers general hotel-arrival safety and privacy checks.

Here’s a hotel security and safety checklist to help you check your room upon arrival.

19. The Room Is Not Cut Off From The Main Hall

Realistic editorial photo of a woman traveler standing with a rolling suitcase in a well-lit hotel hallway while checkin — Image for illustration purpose only.

Before entering, look at your location within the hotel. If your door is located past some dark hallways or alcoves and away from occupied rooms, you may not like it as much at night when the lobby empties and housekeeping has gone home.

Try to get a room that isn’t isolated and is instead located closer to busy areas of the hotel, the elevators, or security. A quiet, secluded stairwell that seems quaint during daylight may make for a scary trek during nighttime.

It can feel uncomfortable asking for a different room, but it’s okay to do so. You don’t need to justify your request.

18. The Main Door Closes Without Help

Realistic editorial close-up of a hotel room door swinging shut while a woman traveler watches the latch align, visible — Image for illustration purpose only.

Does the door latch securely? The door should close and latch under its own power without having to push on it.

If it’s loose or won’t latch, ask for a different room.

Staff may offer to fix it in the morning, but why risk it?

17. The Deadbolt And Secondary Latch Line Up

Realistic editorial close-up of a hotel deadbolt and swing-bar security latch being tested by a woman's hand from inside — Image for illustration purpose only.

Does the door have a secondary locking system, such as a chain, deadbolt, or swing bar? Test it. If there is one, make sure it’s secure.

Give it a gentle tug to make sure it’s sturdy and that all strike plates and screws are tight.

If it’s not working correctly, report it and get another room if necessary. Don’t resort to blocking the door with your suitcase, using tape on the doorknob, or cobbling together makeshift solutions.

16. A Connecting Door Locks From Your Side

Realistic editorial photo of a woman traveler checking the lock on a closed connecting hotel room door, neutral guest ro — Image for illustration purpose only.

Is your room a connecting room? There’s usually a door controlled by each room, and they lock separately. Make sure yours is secure.

Try the handle on your side and make sure it’s locked. Don’t assume the adjoining room is empty because it’s silent.

If your connecting door won’t lock, stop there and call the front desk.

15. Every Window And Balcony Door Locks

Realistic editorial photo of a solo woman traveler testing a hotel balcony door lock with city buildings outside, luggag — Image for illustration purpose only.

It’s not just first-floor accommodations that are at risk. Hotels can have external access through balconies, stairwells, roofs, and terraces.

Do all of your windows and balcony doors lock properly? Test them. Even if you’re on a higher floor, it’s worth testing all of the windows and doors.

The U.S. State Department recommends inspecting your hotel room upon arrival to ensure doors and windows lock properly. Ask for another room if they don’t.

14. The Curtains Close Without A Gap

Realistic editorial photo of a woman traveler closing hotel blackout curtains and checking the center seam for privacy, — Image for illustration purpose only.

Are there two sets of curtains? Test them. With the curtains closed, could someone outside see the bed or bathroom? Some hotels use sheer curtains as a fashion statement. Try closing them and checking from various areas in the room, such as by the bed or shower.

If there are small gaps, a binder clip can pinch the curtain closed.

But if there are large gaps or a needed curtain is missing, ask housekeeping to send someone up with replacements or get another room.

13. The Peephole Gives A Clear View

Realistic editorial close-up of a woman traveler looking through a hotel door peephole from inside, softly lit room and — Image for illustration purpose only.

Does the door have a working viewer/peephole? Look into it to make sure you can actually see out of it. Make sure it’s not painted over or blocked.

Always look into the peephole before opening the door to see who’s there.

If there’s no viewer or you can’t confirm who’s outside, call down to the desk before opening. Read more: hotel check-in habits staff notice.

12. The Room Phone Reaches The Front Desk

Realistic editorial photo of a woman traveler lifting a hotel room telephone receiver while her packed suitcase remains — Image for illustration purpose only.

Does the phone work? Pick up the receiver and listen for a dial tone. Test calling the front desk.

While most of us rely on our mobile phones these days, it’s important to make sure the room’s landline works in case of an emergency.

Keep emergency contacts in an international carry-on purse or daypack for quick access.

11. Your Mobile Phone Works From The Room

Realistic editorial photo of a solo woman traveler checking mobile phone signal beside a hotel window, room key and clos — Image for illustration purpose only.

Also, test your cellphone signal in various places in the room. Some buildings have thick walls that interfere with service.

Save hotel staff’s contact information and the hotel’s address, along with the local emergency number, so you can find them offline.

Also save emergency contacts in your phone before traveling. Read more: airplane seat-selection problems.

10. The Room Number Stays Separate From The Key

Realistic editorial photo of a woman traveler separating an unmarked hotel key card from its paper room-number sleeve, s — Image for illustration purpose only.

Do not leave your room key card in the protective plastic or paper holder with the name of the hotel and your room number printed on it.

The U.S. State Department recommends carrying your room key separately from such information.

If staff announce your room number over a busy front desk, consider requesting another. This helps keep other guests from learning where you’ll be staying.

9. The Evacuation Map Matches The Hallway

Realistic editorial photo of a woman traveler comparing the hotel evacuation map on the back of the room door with the v — Image for illustration purpose only.

Upon entering, read your floor plan, usually on the back of the door. Find your room marker, locate the fire alarm and stairwell, then check out the nearest two exits.

If renovations have been done, the floor plan might not accurately represent the hotel’s layout. Different hotels also use different symbols to describe exits and other features, which can be confusing.

It’s best to walk down the hallway and make sure everything adds up. Read more: hotel perks that are no longer automatic.

8. You Can Find Two Routes To The Stairs

Realistic editorial photo of a solo woman traveler walking a hotel corridor toward a clearly marked stairwell while coun — Image for illustration purpose only.

Use the stairs, not elevators, during a fire. Elevators may also be unavailable during a power failure.

The U.S. Fire Administration suggests counting the number of doors between your hotel room and each exit in case you have to evacuate in the dark.

Take a moment to check those routes before unpacking. Read more: changing hotel-chain experiences.

7. The Smoke Alarm And Sprinkler Look Intact

Realistic editorial photo looking up at an intact hotel smoke alarm and sprinkler head above a neatly made bed, woman tr — Image for illustration purpose only.

Check for a smoke alarm and, in larger hotels, sprinklers, and make sure nothing is blocking them. A visual check alone won’t tell you whether they work.

If there are no alarms or they appear to be defective (chirping, covered, etc.), let someone at the front desk know right away. In addition to requesting repairs, ask to be moved to another room.

For more on choosing lodging, check the Hotel-Motel National Master List, a compilation of U.S. lodging establishments registered with specified fire-safety equipment. It isn’t a complete safety review of a hotel.

6. A Carbon Monoxide Alarm Is Present When Needed

Realistic editorial photo of a compact carbon monoxide alarm on a hotel room wall near a heating unit, woman traveler ch — Image for illustration purpose only.

Also, determine whether there are carbon monoxide alarms. Requirements vary by destination, and fuel-burning equipment elsewhere in the building can matter, too.

According to the U.S. State Department, travelers might consider investing in their own CO alarm or asking hotel employees whether there are working CO alarms in each guest room.

If a CO alarm sounds or you suspect CO poisoning from symptoms such as headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, or confusion, get outside into fresh air immediately and call the local emergency number. Seek urgent medical help for suspected exposure. Opening windows and doors isn’t enough.

5. There Are No Unexplained Electronics

Realistic editorial photo of a woman traveler calmly inspecting a hotel alarm clock, television, smoke alarm, and USB ch — Image for illustration purpose only.

If there’s anything out of place like an electronic device pointed toward the bed or bathroom, snap a pic and call management. An odd-looking device alone doesn’t prove there’s a hidden camera.

Do not dismantle a device. Leave the room while management checks the concern.

And if something doesn’t seem right, trust your gut, get up, and walk out before unpacking makes it difficult to seek alternative accommodations. Read more: unexpected international packing items.

4. Hidden Corners Are Empty

Realistic editorial photo of a solo woman traveler checking behind a hotel curtain and looking toward the open closet be — Image for illustration purpose only.

Do a quick once-over of the room, including peeks behind the shower curtain and closet door and a glance under the bed.

This isn’t meant to be a list that promotes paranoia. But it’s a list that promotes precaution.

Take a moment to run through this checklist upon entering the hotel room and before unpacking. Read more: snowbird travel realities after 70.

3. The Mattress Seams Show No Bed Bug Signs

Realistic editorial close-up of a woman traveler using a phone flashlight to inspect the seam of a hotel mattress while — Image for illustration purpose only.

Before you unpack, check for signs of bed bugs by inspecting mattress seams, furniture, and headboards. Look for live and dead bugs, bug skins, and small rusty or blood-colored spots.

According to the CDC, travelers should seek different lodging if they find signs of bed bugs.

Bed bug bites alone do not necessarily indicate their presence. Read more: toiletry packing mistakes that slow airport screening.

2. The Luggage Rack Is Away From The Bed

Realistic editorial photo of a closed hard-shell suitcase placed on a hotel luggage rack away from the bed and wall, sol — Image for illustration purpose only.

Before checking for bugs, leave suitcases zipped up and place them in the middle of the room on luggage racks, not on the bed and not against walls.

The CDC recommends keeping suitcases off the floor and closed when they’re not in use.

Before you unpack, make sure you’re okay with the room. A quick check can miss bed bugs, so keep those luggage precautions in mind. Read more: historic hotels considered worth the price.

1. A Personal Alarm Has A Clear Job

Realistic editorial photo of a compact travel door alarm and personal safety alarm beside a hotel key card on a bedside — Image for illustration purpose only.

Consider investing in a travel-sized door alarm that sounds when the door opens. A personal alarm you activate yourself can also attract attention, but it won’t necessarily detect the door moving.

You shouldn’t rely on one instead of a working lock and should ask for another room if yours is broken. Just make sure to test your gadget at home before packing it, and keep in mind that blocking exits with personal safety devices isn’t smart.

The State Department suggests women consider personal safety whistles or alarms. Check local rules for any safety gear you plan to bring.