Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
is down the hallway to the left, count the number of intervening doors.
Perhaps the stairwell is down the hall to the left and is on the opposite
side of the hallway. In that case you simply count the number of doors
until you must cross the hallway to find the exit. Do the same thing for
exits that can be reached by making several turns down other hallways.
Count in this manner: I exit the room and there are eight doors until
I reach the end of the corridor. I must then make a right, pass four more
doors, and cross the hallway to reach the exit. Doing this will allow you to
find your way to an exit even if the power is out and you are attempting
to get out in darkness or heavy smoke. If you can't see, you can still feel
your way down the hall and get to safety by counting the doors you pass.
Do the same thing for an alternate exit point, if one exists, so you always
have a backup plan in case the primary escape route is impossible to
reach. If you exit your room and can't reach the primary exit, you just take
the secondary exit route. Also, it is a good idea to prepare yourself to be
able to retrace your steps back to your room. If, when you reach the pri-
mary exit, you find that route is impassable, you will need to retrace your
steps and make for the secondary exit. Never use the elevator in a fire or
other emergency.
YOUR HOTEL ROOM IS NOT YOUR HOME
One thing that must be understood is that your room is never truly secure.
It is not your home, and you cannot control the number of people having
access to your room. Your room will be cleaned, generally on a daily basis.
In many fine hotels housekeeping pays a second visit to your room to turn
down the bed. Therefore, every chambermaid in the hotel has a key that will
open your door. Similarly, hotel managers, maintenance workers, and security
officers also have keys to your room. Not only do these people have access
to your room; they also are expected to be there for a variety of reasons.
Keep in mind that in many countries, the police and local intelligence
services will have nearly unfettered access not only to your room but to
the phone system as well. In hotels in Russia, the People's Republic of
China, and Cuba, many of the rooms are wired with both listening devices
and video monitors. Hotel managers know which guests are to be given
which rooms.
In many countries, the employees at local hotels make a weekly salary
that, although it may be higher than the average for local factory workers,
