An independent review into Travelodge has revealed alarming security failings, with nearly one in ten hotels reporting room intrusions this summer. The findings, published in a 70-page report on Thursday, were commissioned following a serious sexual assault incident involving a guest in Maidenhead in 2022.
Background of the Incident
The review was initiated after a man was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman, referred to as Lily in the report. The perpetrator had falsely claimed to be her boyfriend and was given a copy of her room key, allowing him to enter her hotel room and assault her. Following the incident, Lily received what she described as an "insulting" £30 refund from the hotel chain.
Findings of the Review
The report highlighted several critical issues:
- Room intrusions reported at nearly 10% of Travelodge hotels, equating to around 60 hotels.
- The treatment of Lily by Travelodge was described as "inappropriate and unfair" by Paul Greaney KC, the barrister who led the review.
- Greaney criticized the hotel’s response to her complaint, stating it was driven by a desire to resolve the issue quickly and cheaply.
