Hi all!

My wife and i are traveling to the US in a couple of weeks. As a fan of the NBA and especially the Boston Celtics we decided visit the states and to (finally) watch a live game and travel the New England region.

We wanted to be well prepared so we watched some clips of some travel accounts (big and small). But we were kinda shocked to see in some of the clips and video’s they were using various tools to barricade (hotel) doors and techniques to see whether people tried to enter rooms.

So main question is, is that really needed or are they “trying to scare people” into buying stuff they dont need?

We booked half of the hotels already and they are mostly bigger chains like; Hilton and IHG.

Many thanks in advance!


42 comments

  1. I have never seen these videos you talk about and it sounds super weird to me.

    most hotel doors automatically lock by key card anyway, so why would you barricade the door?

    Some of the higher hotels, the elevators won’t even work unless you scan your key card

  3. Those are way overboard. I have seen those videos online but I’ve never met someone in my life that does that when they go to a hotel. I’m sure they are also selling these gadget that they claim you have to have! 

  4. Fear is a big commercial driving force in the US. The perception of societal danger varies depending on political affiliation.

  5. Just use the deadbolt lock on the door in case someone is accidentally assigned to your room, which occasionally happens from time to time. Some people also put the chair in front of the door but I don’t think that’s necessary. I just make sure to use all the locks on the door when I am inside the room. I’ve been traveling all over the US for work for over 25 years and that’s all I ever do.

  6. No. They’re trying to sell products. I do usually use the safety chain / deadbolt if there is one, mostly just in case housekeeping comes by while I’m in the shower or something.

  7. No. These are well-known, respected hotel chains. Doors & locks are secure. Enjoy your stay!

  8. Absolutely not. Those videos are meant to sell expensive shit to paranoid people. Unless you’re staying in an external-door motel in a clearly unsafe area you’re fine.

  9. I’ve seen videos of what you’re talking about. I’ve never used any, and I’ve stayed in a couple of shady motels.

  10. First of all most of the items those videos show are cheap mass produced garbage that will break with the smallest amount of force on them. Also unneeded. Unless you’re looking for the cheapest road side motels with the lowest stars and reviews possible you will be fine and don’t need extra security.

  11. Probably not, no. I have never had someone try to forcibly enter my room while staying at a hotel or motel. Heck, I’ve never had someone try to forcibly enter my room while at an apartment or dorm. Unless you’re in a particularly bad part of town, I wouldn’t worry about it. Your risk factor might go up if you’re a young woman traveling alone, or if you’re flashing lots of cash and then telling people your room number, but otherwise, yeah, it’s mostly people trying to scare you so they can sell you something. 

  12. It is absolutely not needed, especially in a very safe city like boston. Those people sound wildly paranoid

  13. Nope. You’re fine. Those videos are engagement bait. I always do the deadbolt lock and the chain lock but that’s really just to make sure housekeeping doesn’t walk in on on me lol

    Hilton and IHG are my preferred hotels, too!

  14. Im going to assume that if yiu have the funds to travel internationally then you also have the funds to book decent hotels. Any decent hotel will not have security issues. In addition to the key card lock, there is usually some kind of deadbolt that you can lock from the inside so that even with a master key, someone can’t get in.

    Im not sure how it applies to non citizens, but the 4th amendment applies to hotel rooms.

  15. I’ve traveled all over the US as a solo female traveler and have never once had a problem. Although there were a couple of places that were sketchy (lots of homeless people milling around, obvious drug use, etc), so I left and found different accommodations simply because my gut said to move. I felt the same way in Liverpool in the late 80s.

    I had more problems walking around as a solo American woman in the UK, then I’ve ever had in the US.

  16. I’ve seen the videos you’re talking about. Unless you’re staying in a slum in a dangerous neighborhood, all of that is silly.

    A decent hotel in a decent town and you have nothing to worry about. A really nice hotel and you have even less to worry about.

    Those videos are anti-“them” propaganda. “There’s always someone who wants to get you and you can’t stop them”. In reality, most people don’t give a shit about whatever you’re doing.

  18. No, those people are either overly paranoid or selling something via fear tactics. I am from Boston, New England is an extremely safe area, especially for tourists. Our five foot tall snow banks are currently our biggest problem.

  19. If I was staying in the rough end of Bogotá I might kick a small wedge under the door but that’s about it.

  20. I’m old. I’ve traveled a lot. I’ve never once used any of those things, even when I traveled as a single female. I think people doing those videos are getting paid or getting free stuff from the people who sell those things. Or they’re just hoping they’ll get paid.

  21. Nope. Travel in the US is generally very safe. I’ve never known anyone to use those “tools”, nor anyone who felt a need to try them. They’re sold to tourists by leveraging the fear of the unknown. It’s 100% BS.

  24. Unless you’re planning to stay in a REALLY BAD part of some city, you really have nothing to worry about that you wouldn’t worry about anywhere else.

    Hotels with rooms that are entered only by passing through a lobby are perhaps a bit more secure than motels with rooms that you can enter directly from a parking lot.

    Single women traveling alone know to request a room on a second or higher floor, if available.

    Things ARE NOT that crazy in the USA, though. Yes, someone is trying to sell you stuff you don’t need to buy.

    Just be aware of people around you, don’t put your wallet (or passport) in a pocket that’s easily picked, use a room safe if one is available. (The safe is usually located in a closet.)

    It’s just common sense stuff, like you’d do anywhere at all.

    It’s SNOWY, though, so please be careful if you’re driving.

    Have fun!

  27. You don’t need any extra security tools. Hotels are very safe places in the US. Just use the deadbolt or security chain in case staff try to come in while you’re sleeping or in the shower. Cleaners always knock but if you’re sleeping and don’t use the do not disturb sign you might not hear them.

  28. lol that’s a sounds like a online tourist scam. I’ve stayed hotels a lot shadier than the Hilton without whatsoever that is. Almost all hotels have a deadbolt plus the chain anyway.

  29. I travel a lot for work as a woman alone and don’t use them. I’ve always felt perfectly safe flipping all the locks they already give you, including in Boston, MA. Just check the reviews on the places you book to make sure they’re halfway decent and you’ll be fine.

  31. No. A lot of the videos and products are marketed to women who travel alone for work for an extra sense of security.

    In all my life, there’s only ever been one issue I’ve experienced at a hotel, and that is when there was a really drunk man in Cedar Rapids who thought our room was his. He was upset his key didn’t work and went to the front desk. They tried to let him into our room! He was stumbling and slurring. I’m glad my husband is a big guy who directed the guy right back out of our room. I’m not saying the guy was violent or anything like that, but when someone is really drunk, you never know what to expect. It felt scary enough having this drunk guy coming in, but I would have been terrified if I was alone.

  32. Nope. I’m an American woman. I travel inside the US weekly for work, and have done so for nearly a decade. I stay in hotels about 200 nights a year. I’ve never have needed any of these silly devices. It’s a cash grab. Just do the normal, basic things to keep yourself safe. Same as you’d do in your home city/country.

  33. They’re posting junk to get clicks, and sometimes to get credit for product sales. Not real life.

  34. You don’t need those “tools”.

    I travel weekly, staying primarily in Marriott and Hilton properties…and haven’t ever felt the need for those.

    Now, the Luxury Inn just off the interstate with rooms opening directly to outside, and bloodstained box springs….yeah, probably need those safety features.

  40. Most of those videos you see are just trash engagement bait.

    If you’re staying at a major brand hotel in a decent part of town, the locks on the door will be more than enough.

  41. No. Those accounts thrive on selling fear and gadgets. Use the deadbolt provided and put up the Do Not Disturb sign on the door. You’re fine.

  42. They’re trying to scare people into buying stuff. Taking normal safety precautions is all you’ll need to do.

Leave a Reply