Security in Luxury Hotels: What Are the Risks?

Staying in hotels is a popular choice among tourists. Hotels are usually flooded with people from all over the world, which can cause some issues. While most guests have pleasant experiences, there have been instances where some were robbed, hacked, or attacked during their hotel stays. In this article, we will go in-depth about various possible threat scenarios and discuss some useful precautionary measures. Let’s start.

Unauthorized Guests

Luxury hotels are usually quite large and busy, which is precisely why it can be difficult to keep track of who enters and who exits. Even though there are security guards, they don’t often check everyone’s ID cards. Moreover, hotels aren’t only used for staying over, but also for hosting conferences, bridal showers, weddings, and other types of events. 

Plus, each hotel has a bar and a dedicated pool area which can be visited by people who aren’t spending the night. That leaves a lot of room for exploitation, and that is how scammers often get inside hotels, which we will go a bit more in-depth further in the article.

Public WiFi

Public WiFi’s are notorious for being among the most vulnerable types of networks. They are extremely popular among hackers because they host dozens of devices at the same time. Most of these devices have some sensitive information on them. This information includes private messages, emails, contacts, login credentials, credit card information, etc.

Public WiFi’s are prone to different kinds of cyber attacks, especially man-in-the-middle attacks. In these attacks, hackers intercept signals between the routed and the target device. Then, they are able to gain unauthorized access and steal data. Then, they sell this information on the dark web or use it for identity theft.

Theft

As we have briefly touched on before, it is very hard to keep track of who enters hotels. Because these places are so busy, it’s easy for criminals to get inside and do their dirty work. Moreover, because there is always some crowd around, it is much easier for them to steal stuff and go unnoticed. There have been numerous instances where guests were robbed of their precious items without them even noticing.

Scammers

This type of threat goes hand-in-hand with theft. Scammers are known to use hotels as hunting grounds because there’s always someone around. They are quite ruthless when it comes to their tactics, and they use clever lies to convince people to give them their money. Some known scams include various charity-related stuff, pension, free hotel upgrades, free trips, etc.

If you notice some weird or scammer-like behavior, make sure to report it to the security guards. Scammers often target elderly people because they are the most likely to fall for their antics. So, always be alert and be careful who you trust.

Disrespectful Guests

Luxury hotels are also popular among celebrities, party animals, teenagers, and similar groups of people who can cause disorderly behavior. While this doesn’t necessarily have to pose a security risk, there have been instances where people’s safety was endangered because of it. For example, some people tend to act aggressively while on drugs, which can cause harm to others.

This type of behavior is especially prominent in hotel bars or at hotel parties. Again, if you notice this type of behavior, make sure to report it to the proper authorities. 

Health and Safety Emergencies

Lastly, we have to mention health and safety emergencies. First and foremost, since we are currently battling a pandemic, hotels can be a fertile ground for passing on infections. Hotels host hundreds of travelers who go through airports and other risky places, which is why you should follow all best practices for staying in hotels.

There are some other safety risks involved, such as fires. While hotels always try their best to implement various precautionary measures, accidents occur from time to time. That is why you should always brief yourself on the hotel’s emergency protocols.

How to Mitigate These Risks?

While some of the threats above seem very dangerous, don’t worry. First and foremost, these are exceptions and not rules. More often than not, guests will have a stress-free hotel experience. However, to ensure that nothing goes wrong, it’s always smart to implement a couple of precautionary measures. Here’s what we recommend:

1. Use a VPN

VPNs are essential things that can keep your devices safe when using public or open Wi-Fis. This tool acts as a gateway between the user and the web by encrypting all internet traffic that comes and goes off the user’s device. What makes these tools also great is that they can be used to access blocked content in foreign countries as well, so you would be able to watch local TV shows or movies. As a general rule, we recommend purchasing a VPN subscription because it offers better features compared to free versions.

2. Keep Valuable Items in Hotel Safes

Even though hotels are usually equipped with top-notch surveillance systems, some things still manage to go unnoticed. For example, hotels are forbidden by law to place cameras inside hotel rooms to preserve their guests’ privacy. However, some staff has unrestricted access to guests’ rooms, and you never know whether they’ll steal something or not. Just to be safe, though, always leave valuables in hotel safes.

3. Avoid Large Groups

This goes without saying, but it’s extremely important, especially now when we’re fighting a global pandemic. However, even without the pandemic, you should stay away from large groups. They can cause a serious ruckus, which can lead to fights, yelling, etc.  

4. Don’t Leave Your Devices Unattended

You should always keep your digital devices near you, to ensure that no one steals them or tries to gain unauthorized access. Because hotels are so busy, it’s easy to get distracted and leave your items unattended. It takes only a minute to steal or penetrate your device. And, you don’t want your photos and other sensitive data to fall into the wrong hands.

5. Report Any Unusual Behavior

Lastly, always report any unusual behavior to the hotel staff and security. Unusual behavior may range from being intoxicated, shouting, and pushing people, to stealing, and scamming. You should do this not only to protect yourself but also other unknowing guests who might fall victim to it.

 

Feature Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash