When traveling to a new city, there are a lot of unknowns that you have to face. Luckily, with modern technology, you can do so much research online about an area before you ever set foot there.
While this can be helpful for knowing what sites you want to see in a new city, the information you read online could be deceiving, especially when it comes from a business trying to make money off of you. So to ensure that you don’t wind up in a scary situation on the wrong side of town, here are three tips to help you find a safe place to stay when in an unfamiliar city.
Read The Reviews
Although a hotel or even a family-owned home that’s available for rent can look appealing in photos, you can really learn a lot about a place by reading the reviews left by other previous guests.
According to NerdWallet, many reviews on popular review websites naturally speak about the safety of a place if they felt like it was lacking. Because of this, it’s usually a safe assumption that previous guests felt safe if they don’t mention anything about safety in their review. So if you find a place that looks great on their website, make sure you check the reviews to see if anyone mentioned feeling unsafe in the area or had any issues with other safety concerns.
Give The Place A Call
Along with checking the online reviews, you can and should call the actual establishment directly if you have additional questions about the safety of the building or the neighborhood. According to Smarter Travel, it’s best to call the building directly rather than calling any 1-800 number that might be available through a chain, as people who actually work in that particular building can give you more detailed information.
When speaking to one of the hotel’s employees, feel free to ask all types of questions about the safety and security of the building, including whether or not it’s in a gated community, in a safe neighborhood, and more.
Booking The Safest Room
To help you feel even safer, regardless of how secure the accommodations are that you’re staying in, there are steps you can take to get yourself a safer room in a hotel.
According to Jordi Lippe-McGraw, a contributor to Travel and Leisure, rooms between the third and seventh floors are generally the safest, as they are harder to reach for intruders but can usually be reached by fire truck ladders in the event of an emergency. Additionally, you should also ask for a room that’s further away from the lobby and elevator doors, as the more complicated access keeps you safer.
If you’re wanting to ensure that you’re staying in a safe place when traveling to a new city, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find the perfect place to rest your head.
