Woman attacked in London Travelodge after abuser given room key
Travelodge under scrutiny as security policies fail to protect guests
Last updated 2 hours ago
In a distressing incident at a Travelodge in London, a woman was attacked in her hotel room after the reception staff reportedly handed her abuser the key to her room.
The woman, who has not been named, spoke out about the ordeal after hearing about a similar case in Maidenhead, Berkshire, in December 2022 where Kyran Smith was jailed for seven-and-a-half years for attacking a woman at a Travelodge.
Recalling her experience, she said she had booked a room for a “night away from the fear” following a period of domestic abuse but was left terrified when the attacker gained access to her room.
"He walked into the hotel and told the receptionist that his girlfriend was upstairs having a seizure," the woman said to the BBC. "He asked what room I was in and what floor I was staying on."
Hotel staff gave him a key and directed him to her room, leading to a violent confrontation where he tried to take her phone. The woman managed to convince him to leave, but he returned with increased aggression, eventually kicking the door off its hinges.
Seeking help downstairs, she described the receptionist as panicked and unable to provide adequate support, offering only another room.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Travelodge conveyed their apologies: “We are deeply sorry for the significant distress experienced by the customer and we apologise for the way the incident has been handled.”
In light of these cases, Travelodge chief executive Jo Boydell announced immediate changes to their room access security policies, including requiring explicit permission from guests before issuing additional keys.
Despite these efforts, Thame MP Freddie van Mierlo has criticised the measures as inadequate, urging Boydell to resign from her position. He told the BBC: "If a company fails to look after the safety of its guests... there need to be changes at the top."
Travelodge has stated their commitment to enhancing safety measures, commissioning an independent review led by a barrister specialising in security and violent crime. They are also collaborating with UK Hospitality to develop industry guidelines for guest security.