Starwood gave drunken man her room key, resulting in assault

[JudyS]

There is no way the guy could have gotten the information needed to get a key from the desk except from the 'victim.' And why was her deadbolt and/or chainlock not in place? Obviously the drunken guy used some deception to gain access, but there appears to have been some complacency on the part of the woman.

Jim, I often agree with you, but not in this case.

The guy could have gotten the victim's name and room number without the victim's complatency. All he would have to do is sit in the lobby, within earshot of the desk, pretending to read a paper. When a suitable victim checks in, he listens for her to tell the clerk her name. Then, he listens for the clerk to tell the woman her room number. (Even if clerk just shows the room number on a piece of paper, the clerk is likely to say what floor the room is on. The guy can go to that floor while the woman is finishing up her transaction at the front desk, hang out in the ice machine area (or wherever) and see what room the woman goes to.)

Do I know that this happened in this case? No, I don't, but you don't what happened, either. There is no evidence that the woman gave alleged intruder her name or room number. And, the reality is that many rapists admit to having planned out their crimes.

As for door chains and those little metal doohickeys you can latch, maybe she did have hers on. They are there to keep housekeeping from accidentally walking in on you. They won't keep out a determined intruder.

 

[VacationForever]

In one of my business travel from many years ago I was given a room/key and when I went in, found a man in bed and a woman emerging from the bathroom, I was shocked at the same time when they both yelled. I went straight back down to the check-in desk and the person simply said, oh I will get u another room. I don't remember which hotel but it was one of the 4/5 star chains which I frequented while traveling in Asia.

 

[Captron]

One night I returned to my hotel room and bumped the door while attempting to insert my key and it opened. I quickly checked the room and finding no one there and nothing missing, had them check the key log. There had been no entry since our last one.

We surmised that the door had not latched when we left. We were very fortunate no one had tested or accidentally bumped our door while we were out. Needless to say, my routine is now to push the door when we leave to make sure it is latched.

I also have learned to use the dead bolt/chain. I have heard on multiple occasions people attempting to open our door with a key, most often a simple (innocent) mistake (one that I have done myself) like being given a wrong key by the establishment (which has happened to me as well - unless the luggage and clothes etc were a new SPG benefit) or going to the last room number from a trip like the accused man in the OP. Of course I am assuming a man, lady and kids with luggage in tow are innocent and not an international robbery conglomerate.

I too believe that the facts in the case will play themselves out. It does sound like the desk clerk gave out a key they should not have, which is inexcusable, but will reserve judgement until more is known (not assumed).

 

[dmorea]

I am not presuming anything about the case in question, but its often happened that either my husband or I or my kids needed a key and were given one at a front desk without either having ID or being asked many questions at all and not just by Starwoods. I have wondered about it.
The electronic keys often go bad being too close to cell phones I guess, one of us goes back without a key , etc. I think it happens so often that there is sometimes a lax on the part of security.

 

[DeniseM]

Folks - I know that this is a sensitive issue, and I have deleted a post that some of you found offensive. Let's try to stay on the topic of hotels and security. Thanks!

 

[richardm]

This unfortunately is a situation that could occur at any hotel in any location, and I don't really know any easy answer that would provide 100% protection to the guest without creating the potential for very frustrating experiences for other guests who legitimately need a replacement room key..

Needing a replacement key is something that has happened to me several times, and more than once when I did not have access to a photo ID (for example on a trip to the pool or fitness center).

I suppose that a resort could force you to wait until you could be chaperoned to the room, and require you to show your ID when you arrived- but again I think there is the potential that this could create negative experiences for guests.. The hotelier is likely in a no-win situation here..

Regardless of the outcome of the case, this is a great reminder to everyone to always utilize the interior door locks.

Much like when you hear of toddler drownings in resort pools, or criminals targeting tourists in popular vacation destinations- you just have to say a prayer for those impacted and be grateful these types of stories are so infrequent.

 

[l2trade]

Two people being given the same room is more common mistake than most people realize. It happens, a lot! Also, foreign travel can yield even crazier events... one time a hotel moved my room and all my stuff to a downgraded location while I was out sightseeing because somebody 'more important' showed up! I found out when I got back really late at night and my key didn't work.

Regardless the merits of this particular case, this story is a great reminder of hotel safety. I always use the extra lock! It saved me one time when I was in the shower and hotel security tried to enter my room... my offense was not answering my morning wake up phone call as it rang right after I hopped in the shower. I always keep the 'do not disturb' outside my door, even and especially when I am away. And, I would think this should go without saying, but unlike the girl in this story, I never, never sleep naked in a hotel! I mean, c'mon - gross! And besides that, what about a fire alarm or other emergency? Sleep decent and be ready to evacuate at a moments notice, will ya? Keep essentials and valuables close by - so you can vacate quickly without leaving anything important behind. I imagine it would not be easy to run out a burning building wrapped in nothing but a bedsheet.

 

[Ken555]

Regardless of the outcome, I sympathize with everyone who has been subject to a security breach at a hotel. And yes, it happens much more often than we believe.

In regards to SVN properties, I've had to replace my key at WKORV many times as they stop working for me. And no, I don't keep them near cell phones, etc. I was at WKORV once and the front desk admitted a block of rooms were inadvertently reset and everyone had to get new keys. Well, as I was by the pool without ID they simply had to believe I was who I am, along with everyone else. So much for security. In fact, this happens so often while I'm in Maui to me that last time I was there upon checkout I even thanked the front desk staff for not forcing me to get a new key during my stay.