Travel Securely Securely Travel
When one stays at a hotel, it is not an alien thought to believe the brand on the side of the building has your hotel room security top of mind.
Sadly, the brand may not be responsible.
In 2014, A mother of three was sexually assaulted in her hotel room in the Embassy Suites located in Des Moines, Iowa. Her asssailiant had been given the key to her room by the hotel staff without any confirmation of identity.
And while the name on the side of building, and throughout the hotel said Embassy Suites, a brand associated with Hilton, the hotel was not a Hilton property, rather it was owned by a franchisee, who paid to license the brand, in this case Atrium Hospitality.
The man in the video above is Christopher Lapointe who requested, and received the key to Marchionda’s room without providing any identity documentation to the front desk clerk.
Cheri Marchionda, the mother of three, sued Embassy Suites and Hilton following her attack in 2014 and learned that they were not legally responsible for the actions of the employees hired by Atrium Hospitality.
Couple these actions with the overall threat posed by the internet of things within the hotel sector where apps are used to open your hotel room door and one can see why travelers are vulnerable.
Proactive steps to take to increase your personal security
- Avoid saying your name out loud when checking in, instead handing the front desk clerk your identity document and asking that they not mention your name aloud.
- If the front desk clerk says your room number aloud, ask to be assigned to a different room and that the assigned room not be broadcasted to the lobby.
- If you are traveling alone, take one room key, not two.
- When signing for your incidentals, meals or drinks at the hotel, don’t leave the tab on the table unattended, place it in the hand of the cashier or server.
- When in your room, make sure that windows and doors are locked and that the deadbolt is set.
- Third party door locks are available which will annunciate and are designed to prevent an intruder from entering your hotel room and are an option (Warning: When using these devices you may delay help getting to you in an emergency).
And what did Hilton say about the assault of Cheri Marchionda?
They have rigorous safety standards for Hilton-managed properties and expects the same of its franchised hotels
