Traveling is an enjoyable activity for many people. There's nothing like getting on a plane, or checking into a hotel in a new city to give you that feeling of excitement. Many people work the whole year so they can look forward to those couple weeks off per year to travel somewhere fun with their family. Of course, traveling isn't all smiles and happy faces. There are certain things you need to worry about, as some people tend to target tourists as an easy mark. One of the things you need to worry about is your hotel. Many people let down their guard when they stay in a hotel, which can be a big mistake. In this article, you'll learn how to stay safe in a hotel so you can enjoy your vacation.

First of all, always lock and bolt your hotel door. Those magnetic room keys aren't the most secure things in the world. Who knows who has access to them, or how easily they can be reprogrammed. Many of the hotel staff aren't making much more than minimum wage, so the temptation can be too great. As a matter of safety, always bolt your hotel door from the inside whenever you are there.

Always get ready to open your door well before you get there. If you stop at your door, and start looking through all your pockets for your room key, you are a prime target for robbery. Get your key ready as soon as possible, so you can make a quick entry to your room, and a quick exit from any potential bad guys.

Because you really have no idea now secure your room is when you are gone, make sure to hide all your valuables. Obviously, the best thing would be to put them in a hotel safe. If this isn't available, then hide them as best you can within your luggage. Many bags come with secret pockets and compartments just for this purpose. Never, ever, leave any valuables out lying around. This could be too much temptation for the cleaning staff.

Never open your hotel door if you aren't expecting anybody. Even if they say they are with the hotel, don't open the door. Keep it bolted and call security if you have any misgivings. If you order room service, then only open the door if you are expecting them. If you don't order room service, there's nobody who would have any business knocking on your door, except housekeeping.

This sounds obvious, but you should never give out your room number to strangers. Hotel rooms are notoriously easy to break into. If you meet somebody at a bar or a club, and they ask for your room number, walk away. If you tell them, they'll quickly text their friends the number. Then they will keep you occupied while their friends are busy robbing you blind.

When you follow these tips, you will be sure to have a good and safe trip. Just use your common sense, and don't trust anybody. It might not sound very generous, but it will keep you safe.