Keys to the Kingdom - Travelodge review sparks call for hotel security rules

This is a serious one. A woman who was sexually assaulted at a Travelodge in Maidenhead in 2022, by a man who had been handed a key to her room, is calling for a national framework on hotel security, the BBC reports.

Her case, along with reports from dozens of other guests, led Travelodge to commission an independent review by barrister Paul Greaney KC. It landed this week and doesn't pull its punches. The review found the chain's security policies at the time were not fit for keeping guests safe. It also found room intrusions were reported at nearly one in ten of its hotels this summer, and that there was no policy on violence against women and girls.

Travelodge has apologised unreservedly. It says it has made significant progress over the last six months but still has further to go. A new board committee will oversee changes, with independent check-ins after six and 12 months. The survivor wants the government involved, with mandatory guidelines that apply to every hotel.

So what for hospo people? Front desk teams, this is your world. Key issuing, ID checks and knowing when to say no are safety procedures, not admin. If your hotel's training on this feels flimsy, push for better. Guests and colleagues deserve it.