By Harding Bush/ Your hotel may feel like a haven after a long flight, but security begins the moment you step through the lobby doors. Checking in isn’t just a formality, it’s a crucial opportunity to put situational awareness and proven safety practices into action. Hotel security isn’t only about locks and cameras. It starts with the traveller, and how prepared and observant they are from the very beginning.
Awareness of your environment is often the difference between safety and vulnerability. That lesson applies just as much in international travel as it does anywhere else. Hotels, with their constant flow of strangers and open public areas, can present risks if you don’t stay alert.
Before I arrive at any property, I’ve already done my homework. I research the neighbourhood, check reviews that mention safety, and look for properties with 24-hour staffing, surveillance cameras, and secure keycard access. My preferred room is between the third and sixth floors – out of reach from easy break-ins yet still within range of ladders and rescue operations in the event of fire or evacuation.
The front desk is a security crossroads. I never announce my name or room number aloud, and I ask staff to write it down instead of saying it. This has become a usual protocol for hotels. My luggage stays at my side so no one can walk off with it. Meanwhile, I scan the lobby, noting who is loitering, who is watching, and who doesn’t seem to belong. These are small steps, but together they create a foundation of situational awareness – an alert mindset that allows you to notice things others overlook.
Once inside the room, my first priority is securing the space. I lock the door, test the deadbolt and latch, cover the peephole, and check connecting doors and windows. I draw the curtains, check behind them, and make sure the phone works. Then I identify the nearest exit, count the number of doors to the stairwell, and visualize how I’d get out in low-light or smoky conditions.
If anything seems off – maybe the locks feel flimsy, or the room location doesn’t sit right – I ask for a change. Never hesitate to prioritize safety over convenience.
The rest of the trip
Hotel security doesn’t end once you’re inside your room. Situational awareness should extend to every part of your trip. That means avoiding distractions, like scrolling through your phone while walking alone, and paying attention to your surroundings. For solo travellers, vigilance is especially important. A Global Rescue survey found that 93% of solo travelers rank situational awareness as their number one safety priority. That means choosing hotels with solid security features, being cautious with transportation, and carrying gear designed to reduce risk – like RFID-blocking wallets or anti-theft bags.
One of the most overlooked travel hazards is the hotel parking garage. These areas, often dimly lit and isolated, can be high-risk. My advice: move with purpose. Park in well-lit areas close to elevators or exits. Avoid secluded corners or parking next to vans where visibility is reduced. Keep your keys in hand, limit distractions, and stay alert for anyone loitering. If something feels wrong – whether it’s someone following too closely or watching you – trust your instincts and leave. A safe hotel will have a bank of elevators that go to the lobby and another bank of elevators that service the floors of guest rooms.
Through years of practice, I’ve developed a personal checklist that any traveller can adopt. Long before booking, verify the hotel’s security features and check reviews with safety in mind.
- When choosing a room, aim for floors three through six.
- At check-in, use discretion and never broadcast your room number or travel plans.
- Guard your luggage by keeping it close to you.
- Always scan the lobby for unusual behavior.
- Once inside your room, secure the locks, peepholes, adjoining doors, and windows.
- Identify your escape routes by counting doors to the stairwell and mentally mapping your exit.
- Consider creating a makeshift alarm, like a doorstop device or a chair against the knob, to deter intruders.
- Protect your digital footprint by using a VPN and disabling Bluetooth.
- And finally, trust your instincts – if something feels off, change rooms or hotels.
Situational awareness isn’t about paranoia. It’s about empowerment. Travellers who pay attention, trust their instincts, and act decisively are far less likely to become victims. These skills can be learned and improved with practice. Awareness gives you confidence to respond when things go wrong and the foresight to avoid danger altogether.
Whether you’re checking into a hotel in Cairo, parking in Mexico City, or backpacking solo through Southeast Asia, the principles of awareness apply. Situational awareness is your most reliable safety tool.
(Harding Bush is a former Navy SEAL and associate director for security operations travel risk management services provider Global Rescue)