Booking

Use approved hotels. In most countries we work in, the local IFRC office has a list of prefered hotel that have been selected on the basis of security and price. If in doubt ask.
Avoid hotels where dignitaries are known to stay. They can attract risk, e.g., demonstrations and militant attacks. The same applies to hotels hosting conferences.
Do online research. Before making a booking, most experienced traveller check online reviews of the hotel (left by members of the public). This is often a good and easy way to learn about new or ongoing problems at the hotel.
Cheaper is not always better. Do not always go for the ‘bargain of the year’. In most cases, the better the hotel, the better its security and response will be. This also goes for fire and natural disaster preparedness and response.
Consider the neighbourhood and distance. Some hotels are safe inside but located in risky areas. Make sure to check this, especially before walking.

Check-in

Check out the lobby – the people, exits and security.
Stay with your luggage. Don’t leave your luggage outside or behind you in the lobby. Every year, staff have luggage stolen during check-in, even in major hotels.
Get a room between the second and sixth floors, away from the lobby and street. These floors are high enough to avoid easy break-ins but low enough to be reached by fire engine ladders. Rooms near the lobby and streets make it easier for thieves.
Ask hotel staff not to say your room number out loud.
Get two cards with the hotel name and address. Put one by the phone in your room and the other in your pocket or purse.
Do not leave your passport with reception.
Ask about the risks in the area. Hotels usually keep track of nearby risks and are usually happy to give safety advice.

Leave the door open while you check the room. Look in the closet, in the shower, and behind the curtains before you shut the door.
Check the locks on the door and windows. Check the door has a deadbolt and keep it locked whenever you are in the room.
Lock your windows at night if you are near the street or there is a balcony.
Use a door wedge or door chain to further secure the door – especially when you are sleeping or in the shower. This may help deter intruders who may have obtained a key to your door.
Keep a flashlight by the bed in case there’s an alarm or the electricity goes out.
Don’t invite strangers in and use the peephole. If in doubt, ask questions through the door and call the front desk to confirm their identity before opening the door.
Check the location of the fire exits, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Check that the smoke detectors are working.
When using a hotel room safe, make sure to count your money and don’t store all your credit cards inside it. Why? Because all room safes have an “admin” PIN code that dishonest hotel personnel can obtain and use to access the safe. Usually, they steal a bit of your money (but not enough for you to notice) and copy your credit card info. You probably won’t notice this unless you’ve counted your money carefully ahead of time. Using the hotel room is still better than hiding valuables in your room but take precautions and monitor your credit cards after your trip.

Use the peephole to identify visitors.
Only open the door to people you trust.
If it is a staff member or if you have any doubts, check this with reception. Hotel staff will understand and will not insist.

Display the “Do not disturb” sign when you leave the room. Thieves may hesitate to enter a room that is marked as occupied.
Don’t display the “Please clean room” sign since that can attract thieves. Instead, just inform the front desk.
Lock the items you won’t be carrying with you, such as your laptop or other electronics, in the room safe. Never leave valuables lying around your room while you are out – even for short periods of time.
If the safe in your room doesn’t appear safe, lock valuables in the hotel safe, but be sure to get a written receipt for your items and ask about the coverage for loss. Most hotels do not accept liability for items left in the room safes but will accept some responsibility for items in the hotel safe.
Report lost keys to the hotel immediately. Hotel keys should not have the room number written on them but if they do, ask to move to a different room (unless it’s an electronic key can be invalidated). Ask a staff member to check the room with you, just in case someone snuck in with the old key.