Hotel Safety Concerns

Fox Sports reporter, Erin Andrews, recently was awarded a $55 million award for the pain and suffering of being videotaped naked in a Nashville hotel room in 2008. Andrews sued, in a civil trial, her stalker, who was found 51% responsible and the Nashville Marriott, who was found 49% responsible.

A Nashville jury rendered its verdict stating it would, “hold accountable those whose job it is to protect everyone’s safety, security and privacy.” The jury agreed that the hotel staff had been careless in telling Michael David Barrett that Andrews was a guest at that hotel; disclosing her room number; and granting Barrett’s request to be placed in a room next to hers.

So What Does This Mean for Hotels and the Safety Their Guests?

It’s vital that hotels ensure the safety and privacy of their guests. While most hotels chains have procedures, not all owners, managers or staff follow these protocols as closely as they should. This recent verdict will make many hotels relook at their safety procedures, hopefully making us all safer in the future.

Hotel Safety Tips for Travelers

Travel Channel’s Hotel Impossible host – Anthony Melchiorri shared some important safety tips every traveler should know on the Today Show which included: staying in hotels that offer restricted access to guests only (elevators and floors); when you check in request two (2) keys – makes people think you are not alone; once in your room – take your cell phone and call the front desk and pretend you want to talk to yourself and ask what the room number is – if they give you a room number, you should leave the hotel; if you can unscrew your peephole do so – if you can’t put something over it like a Band-Aid; and always use your do not disturb sign on the door and leave something on like the TV.