Security or at least general preparation thoughts may be in your mind once you reach your chosen hotel to confirm your reservation in a central Auckland City Hotel. Perhaps in preparation for hotel and travel security, you recall earlier saving and/or bringing important documentation, phone numbers, a map, and security items. You feel assured that you have saved your information online and securely in your mobile phone for possible reference. All good so far, but their are a few more security aspects when confirming reservation accommodation, if not for later convenience, to consider and implement. If you arrived on a taxi, maybe ask the driver for their business card, maybe at least two, for others in your group or family. This widens your contacts, and additional mode of transport, should you require a taxi from within Auckland. Image of World technology data back up by ilco at SXC.Outside Hotel Lobby
Once you disembark, look carefully around the area to create a mental note of certain features, buildings, and objects to ascertain as a point of reference. Maybe ask the hotel doorman or security, if the general area's environment or atmosphere changes at certain times, which hopefully would suit you. As with most cities, Auckland City becomes more vibrant at night, with it's multitude of clubs, restaurants and general night life. Importantly stay with your luggage, and when brought to the lobby, keep it right along your side. Look around and remember the hotel's lobby positions of any safety exits, fire hoses, and telephones. Also take note of other guests or visitors within the lobby, and perhaps remember, and if you see them later, then you know that they are in fact guests.Image of City by grngobstpr at SXC.
Reservation Room Security
When at the desk to confirm reservation, display proof of payment - important if booked by someone else, particularly through a third party booking agency, which may have not confirmed your reservation. Check to confirm if all your group's or family names are registered for your room or their rooms. Cautiously transact payment with your credit card, without unnecessarily displaying it to others, and make sure that your room number is not displayed on your key/swipe card or a tag. Best to remember it rather than risk carrying the room number, in case you lose or misplace it. Hopefully reception won't verbally announce you hotel room number, so converse discreetly when reserving your room. Perhaps quickly but kindly inquire reception first to take the initiative. Be a little proactive, with a smile, to help achieve a security conscious approach.Image of Credit Card Security by woodsy at SXC.
Safe and Phone Hotel Security
Ask about their key or swipe card room lock policy, if one of your group loses or disables it, and you are absent. They may or may not provide a spare when most needed. Make sure that reception has your mobile number on file, and view it yourself particularly if hand written to make sure if it's legible. Maybe test by calling it, to ascertain if your mobile works. Mobile phones are essential for emergencies, but more so if it fully operational. So don't forget to check it's charge status. Also ask about any safety/security safes or deposit box. Is it more suitable to house large items (laptop or video camera) at reception or your room? What procedure was used since it's last use, for re-coding or re-assigning the safe for you? Were keys involved (which could be copied), or the locks changed or securely re-keyed? Don't be shy to ask, more importantly - don't forget. Image of Mobile phone check by linusb4 at SXC.Hotel Room Location
You may want to inquire about the exact location of your accommodation room in regards to security/safety, and make a judgment, either if alone or your whole group. For example is the hotel room near a stairwell, elevator, or service room? This may mean more people movement for security/safety contact help, but may mean unsuitable noise, or the risk of outside "visitors". Or is the room semi-isolated down the end of a long hall? Or is the room too high? Generally above the sixth floor may pose unsuitability for fire emergencies or general mobility (e.g fire ladder heights, distance for quick mobility during an evacuation) for disabled or frail guests. Many Auckland hotels are quite high, with great city and harbour views, but factor in security, safety and general convenience. Negotiate with reception about a suitable room, and general security procedures, particularly during a busy season, or if a large group reserves accommodation at the same time. Image: Hotel Corridor by Quil at SXCSecuring Contacts and Visitors to Your Room
To help secure a suitable room location, let reception know if any of your group has a disability, and that they may have difficulty in hearing or mobility issues, in case a hotel emergency arises. Then confirm if security can attend to them first in a event of a hotel emergency or general help. If not presented, ask for general security or safety procedures with the hotel, and contact numbers within the hotel, and external relevant numbers, and if the phones (including lobby, hall phones, etc) are direct dial. Also check and arrange any contact procedures if visitors or staff need to contact you from your room. Hotel staff should not give out your room number to unknown visitors or phone calls, unless if you arrange to do so. You could set up certain calls to your mobile phone, so that you have direct conversation. Remember though, not to loan your mobile to others (they may discharge it, or you might miss a important call), and have it powered on. Perhaps consider immediate call diversion, and again recharge or replace the battery.
Hotel Lobby to Room Security
Once you go to your room, maybe ask hotel staff to escort you to your room, and of course remember your floor level and room number. If using an elevator, remember the buttons, from where you enter, and when you exit. Some people may confuse elevator numbers with floor levels, and possibly room numbers. Take note of the number of steps to your room from the elevator, and any objects that you pass, and the location of fire exits, extinguishers, and external phones. Take note of the opposite room number to yours, and with these factors embedded in your mind, you have a frame of reference to remember. Hopefully you or your group can recall any location reference that you may need to quickly apply during an evacuation.Image: Elevator going down by pzullo at SXC.
Hotel Room Entrance Security Check
Ask the staff member to check within your room or suite, including closets, adjoining rooms, bathrooms, including the balcony. Maybe get them check any security and safety devices (window and external door locks, the phone or other communication hardware), including a demonstration of your door lock, and a phone number (or preferably two numbers) to call for security issues. Perhaps ask about a direct number to security staff, and the nearest assembly location for evacuations. You might want to practice with your door lock, particularly if it's a coded swipe card. But remember in New Zealand, the emergency number for all services is 111, and for traffic issues the number is *555 - from a mobile phone only. Perhaps set them up on your mobile phone. By methodically applying these security procedure tips during your hotel reservation process in Auckland (or any hotel), will put you and your group in a more confident "secure"position. But once inside your room, their are additional practices to implement for a more safe and secure stay.Image Locked and Unlocked by sco122 at SXC.
Related Post - Next Step: Hotel Room Security Tips
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