Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
with local intelligence operatives or to divulge sensitive corporate infor-
mation.
Along that same line of reasoning, do not invite anyone up to your
room unless you are well acquainted with the person. Avoid meeting busi-
ness contacts in your room as well. Make it a point to treat your hotel room
like your bedroom at home. It is your living space and the place where
you sleep.
ROOM SECURITY
Be sure you always secure your door with the dead bolt as well as the door
chain. By the way, consider this more of a privacy measure than anything
else. We can personally attest to the relative ease with which a door chain
can be defeated. The chain is especially useful if you are sleeping or in
the shower and the chambermaid enters because you forget to put out the
“Do Not Disturb” sign. It also may be a deterrent to some types of crime.
While a door chain provides very little protection to a determined indi-
vidual, it will hinder a thief attempting to gain quiet entry to your room
at night. You can buy small electronic devices to use as a room alarm. The
devices consist of a buzzer that is activated when two metallic prongs are
separated. The prongs are flat and thin, and they slide easily in between
the closed door and the door frame. If the door is opened, the prongs sep-
arate and the buzzer sounds. It is also a good idea to keep the “Privacy
Please” sign on your door at all times as an additional deterrent.
Another thing that can help you determine if someone has entered
your room while you were out is to place a small piece of paper between
the door and the frame. Ilan, in his former capacity as a diplomat, used
hotels very often and found this simple method to be very effective to see
whether someone had entered his room while he was gone. He placed a
small piece of paper between the door and the frame every time he left
the room. Upon his return, he looked for the piece of paper before he
entered the room. If the paper was not where he put it, there was a good
chance that someone entered the room. If the paper was present but in a
different location then it is likely that someone skilled entered your room.
Once your room has been cleaned, simply put up the “Do Not Disturb”
sign. Leaving the television or radio on while you are out is another way
to help keep out anyone who doesn't belong there.
