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Staying Safe in Your Hotel

thekid

Whether you’re staying in a 5-star hotel including more exclusive like  hotels  sheffield or a backpacker hostel, there are many things you can do to help keep yourself and your belongings safe. These tips are particularly helpful if you’re traveling solo as you won’t have someone to watch out for you.

1. Never leave the “Please Clean” sign on your door. This signals that your room is empty and is telltale sign for someone who might be waiting for the perfect moment to burglar your room. Instead, call the front desk and let them know your room is ready for a cleaning.

2. Ask for a room close to the elevator. While this may be noisier than one at the end of the hall, if you do find yourself in trouble, it’s more likely someone will hear you if you need help.

Hotel3. Women… NEVER let a man in your room. Even if you’ve called room service and you’re fairly certain that he’s trustworthy. Keep the door open and conduct your business near the hallway. If a service person must get in the room, in the case of having to fix the air conditioning or television, keep the door open at all times. If you haven’t called someone, yet someone’s knocking, check with the front desk to confirm it’s someone from the hotel.

4. Carry a rubber doorstop. In many developing countries, there is no deadbolt or chain lock to provide added  protection from a potential intruder. Because most doors open inward, simply slip the doorstop underneath the door so that no one can get in while you’re sleeping or in the shower.

5. Ensure your privacy. Most hotel staff are trained not to say your room number out loud. If they do say it while you’re checking in and there are others in the lobby, ask for another room. You never know who might be listening and taking note that you are traveling on your own.

6. Keep your key safe. In less modern hotels, the room key is often on a keychain that may include your hotel name and room number. Simply slip the key off and carry it in a safe place so that, in the event that you lose it or someone picks it up, they don’t know where to find you.

Categories: Hospitality

Fashionable Girl’s Guide to Backpacking

thekid

The three items on nearly every backpacker’s list: fleece, poncho, Bandanna. Which just happen to be three things that would cause you to destroy every photo from your trip. So throw out the old packing list and learn what rules to break and what items you absolutely do need to take with this more fashion-friendly guide.

 

Rule #1: Remember Where You’re Going
European cities and South American jungles are obviously two very different trips, so keep in mind where you’re going and what you are likely doing before you pack. If you’re sticking to a route of museums, dinners, and sights you aren’t going to need (and certainly won’t want) to look like you’ve just hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro. Allow yourself some leniency and pack clothes in which you will not be embarrassed to be photographed.
Rule #2: Triple Your Underpants
Whoever said to pack only three pairs of underwear was obviously a dude and a dude packing some pretty large drawers (and ones travel_2they were apparently comfortable wearing for weeks on end.) Luckily for ladies- your underoos hardly take up any space. So break the three pairs rule – pack ten. Many hostels have laundry facilities so you won’t be turning them inside out halfway through the second week. 

 
Rule #3: Switch out Synonyms
You can easily translate fleece, poncho, bandanna into cute sweater, umbrella, and wearable haircut. Layerable clothing is always best, so pick a color scheme (preferably one that hides multiple wears well) and stick to it. A teensy umbrella will keep you covered in London, but not in the Amazon, so consider your locale before ditching the poncho entirely. And as a blow-dryer, flat-iron, and array of styling products are absolutely out – skip the high-maintenance cut. Instead, pack elastics and master the art of the sleek ponytail. As for cosmetics, make them do double duty: a sunscreen/foundation combo, wallet sized all-in-one makeup compact, lip gloss and mascara should be sufficient war paint for any trip.
Rule #4: Save Room for Insensible Shoes
Yes, you absolutely need comfortable walking shoes but even chic urban kicks are not going to cut it for a real night out. Allow yourself one pair of heels, preferably something high, strappy, and that have been claimed (on more than one occasion) to be more comfortable than they look. Use them to dress up jeans for dinner in Alsace, drinks on the Danube, or dancing in Buenos Aires while your pack is stashed safely in a locker.
Rule 5: Bring Your Girlfriends, Your Favorite Pair of Jeans, and one Show-Stopping Accessory
Your girlfriends, besides being an obvious source of fun, can also be a way to expand your limited wardrobe. Swap sundresses in Nice and your flea-market finds from Berlin in Brussels. Wear your favorite pair of jeans on the plane and consider it your uniform for the trip. Dark denim is the easiest to dress up or down as well as camouflage any stain mishaps. And if you plan on traveling through one of the world’s more fashionable cities pack one really fabulous (but ultimately replaceable) accessory that will make you feel like a superstar on day three or thirty-nine.

Categories: Hospitality