Travelodge security review highlights concerns over guest safety
An independent review into security at Travelodge has raised concerns about guest safety and recommended a series of changes to strengthen security across its hotels.
The review was commissioned following the case of a woman who was sexually assaulted at the chain’s Maidenhead hotel in December 2022. The man who assaulted her had been given a key card and her room number after claiming to be her boyfriend. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.
The review, conducted by barrister Paul Greaney KC, concluded that Travelodge had failed the survivor throughout her experience and that its room security policies at the time were inadequate.
It also identified wider concerns about hotel security. According to the review, room intrusions were reported at nearly one in ten Travelodge hotels this summer, and yet the company did not have a specific policy addressing violence against women and girls.
The review has made a number of recommendations aimed at improving safety and security, including stronger controls around the issuing of room keys, the introduction of a violence against women and girls policy and further measures to improve the safety of guests and staff.
Travelodge has apologised to those affected and said it accepts the recommendations. The company has also said that changes to improve security have been underway since March.
The importance of learning from survivors
The review follows a number of people coming forward to describe frightening experiences while staying in hotels.
One of those is Wendy Griffith, who reported that a man repeatedly banged on the door of her room at Travelodge London Stratford in July 2025 and performed sexual acts in the corridor outside. She was unable to reach hotel staff and eventually called the police.
Her experience, alongside those of other guests who have spoken out, raises important questions about the safeguards hotels have in place to protect people staying alone and how concerns are handled when something goes wrong.
Hotels should be places where guests can feel safe. The experiences highlighted by this review show why clear security procedures, properly trained staff and an effective response when concerns are raised are so important.
If you are reading this as someone who has experienced sexual abuse, whether recently or many years ago, support is available. Speaking to someone does not mean you have to make a report. If you would like to talk through what happened or explore what support might look like for you, our abuse team is here to listen in complete confidence.
