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Travelodge interim CEO defends room security following damning independent review
Overview
Travelodge interim chief executive Ray Reidy has stated that no one is working harder on room security than the company, following a damning independent review which revealed guest safety failures and room intrusions at nearly one-in-ten Travelodge hotels this summer. The review, conducted by Paul Greaney KC, followed a December 2022 attack at the Maidenhead hotel where an offender was handed a victim's room key without security checks. While Travelodge has introduced new key security policies and training, the review found inconsistent application and disturbing results from mystery shopper tests.
Key points
- Travelodge interim CEO Ray Reidy told the BBC that the company is prioritising room security after an independent review highlighted significant safety flaws.
- The review followed a December 2022 incident at a Maidenhead hotel where an attacker obtained a victim's room key within three minutes due to a lack of staff training.
- Paul Greaney KC's review found that room intrusions were reported at nearly one-in-10 Travelodge hotels this summer, and the chain lacked a policy on violence against women and girls.
- Mystery shopper tests revealed that staff at all five tested hotels allowed access to rooms via housekeeping without proper verification.
- Travelodge is currently working with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to develop a policy on violence against women and girls and has accepted all recommendations from the review.