From time to time, I find myself traveling solo, primarily for work. Regardless of whether I'm familiar with my travel destination, my senses are still heightened because of the perceived vulnerabilities of women alone. Over the years I’ve developed some useful tips and tricks when traveling alone.
1. No first floor rooms. Many hotels offer rooms on the first floor. From a security perspective, I avoid first floor rooms at all cost. The first floor may seem convenient, but the reality is that it possess many security threats, including multiple entry points into your room. Think about windows, doors and balconies. Before arriving at a hotel, either research the hotel to understand whether first floor rooms are offered and specifically request a room on any floor other than the first floor.
2. Request a room near the elevator. Ask for a room near the elevator. Be careful to specify that you do not want the room next to the elevator, due to increased noise, but you want to be fairly close to the elevator. You don’t want to have to walk down long corridors alone, it’s unsafe and scary.
3. No room near stairwell exits. These doors are frequently remain unlocked and are usually accessible starting at the lobby with no true security. Meaning a guest or non-guest can walk into the lobby and access a stairwell have access to all floors of guest rooms.
4. Request two room keys. By requesting two keys, it gives the illusion that you are not in fact a long.
5. Request non-adjoining rooms. On a recent solo trip to San Francisco, I had a room with two adjoining room doors. Obviously this was not an ideal situation, but to mitigate the concern I placed the luggage rack and my luggage against one of the two door. Sometimes mitigation is the only option you've got.
6. Request a room on a different floor as the gym, pool or club. Random people up and down corridors at all times of the day is not refreshing. And it’s definitely not safe.
7. Be smart. Do not broadcast via verbally or on social media about your solo travel plans. Hotel staff always ask why your traveling, don’t be afraid to lie. I do! I’ll say business and my husband is tagging along.
Solo traveling can be empowering, exhilarating and stressful simultaneously. Just be smart, pay attention to your surrounding and have a wonderful time.