The holidays are here, which means snowball fights, hot cocoa by the fire, and spending time with loved ones—and sometimes, staying at a hotel to see those loved ones. Although being away from home can be exciting, it can also be kinda scary to stay somewhere unfamiliar. So we asked Jamie Krueger (she/her), director of sales & marketing at Kimpton Shane Hotel, some questions you might have before your next trip, and her answers might surprise you.

Staying at hotels can be risky, especially when traveling alone and as a woman. How can we ensure our safety?
We try to ensure that everyone feels as safe as possible during their stay. On top of keeping all guest information completely private, we also take additional safety measures like not saying your room number out loud when you’re checking in, confirming each room gets a thorough check between guests to be sure every lock works, keycard protected elevators, overnight security, well-lit public spaces, and hallways.

If traveling alone, I would say to be sure the person checking you in writes down your room number for you without saying it aloud. To double down on that one, be sure you aren’t saying your room number aloud to any friends or visitors. Though most hotel rooms will be thoroughly checked between guests, doing your own scan of the room’s closets, cabinets and other enclosed spaces will help with peace of mind. And, of course, all hotels have double locks for the doors, so make sure you’re using both for an extra sense of security.

Should we be wary of hotel sell-off sites?
Yes! Do your research when using a sell-off site. Some are legitimate but be sure to pay attention to reviews, articles, and online sentiments regarding each website. Make sure you are doing thorough research to protect yourself against scams. And remember, a hotel stay booked through any channel that is not direct will be held to that channel’s terms and conditions, (ex: cancellation policies, etc.) The safest way to book a hotel stay is booking directly.

Covid is still here and not going away any time soon. What are some tips to stay healthy at a hotel?
At Kimpton, we’ve enhanced our health and cleaning protocols. Some examples of that include all common areas and shared equipment being disinfected at frequent intervals. Hand sanitizer stations are also provided throughout all common spaces. Our complimentary PUBLIC Bikes have a disinfection process added prior to bike check out.

Most hotels should take care in making sure they are clean and safe, but to be sure that you are staying as healthy as possible, I would recommend traveling with hand sanitizer, cleansing wipes, and anything else that may make you feel more comfortable.

Is it better to book late or book early?
There are pluses and minuses to both. Booking early may get you a better deal on the overnight rate but the hotel may lower rates closer to the date of stay if they need to fill occupancy. It’s very hard to know that though as a general consumer so, in my opinion, always look to book as early as possible and if you’re concerned about cancellations and/or better rates, booking a flexible rate that allows for cancellations within 24-48 hours of arrival.

Hotel rooms get a bad rap for uncleanliness. What are some spots to look out for?
Just like anywhere you go, spots in a hotel like doorknobs, lobby bathrooms, remote controls, etc. are the highest touch. But, housekeeping teams frequently and thoroughly sanitize these items and areas, while also replacing all linens and towels between each and every stay at most hotels.