Key facts
- Travelodge staff provided a domestic abuser with a key to his victim's hotel room.
- The victim was subsequently assaulted in her room after the abuser gained entry.
- The hotel chain admitted that its security policies were not correctly followed.
- Travelodge has since revised its room access security policy and retrained staff.
- Other guests have reported similar security breaches involving incorrect room keys.
Travelodge staff provided a domestic abuser with a key to his victim's hotel room, leading to a physical assault. The victim, who was staying at a London branch in October 2025 to escape the abuser, recounted that he approached reception, falsely claimed his girlfriend was having a seizure, and was given her room number and a key. He then entered her room, kicking the door off its hinges and assaulting her. The victim described the experience as deeply traumatic and felt her safe space had been violated. She was offered another room after seeking help. Travelodge acknowledged that its policy of not confirming guest information to third parties was not followed and that its room access security policies were not correctly implemented at the time. The company has since updated its policies to require explicit permission from the registered guest for any additional or replacement room keys and has retrained staff. An independent review led by barrister Paul Greaney KC is examining the hotel chain's room access security policies. Similar incidents have emerged, including a man sentenced in February for sexual assault at a Travelodge in 2022 after being given a key without verification, and other guests reporting receiving incorrect room keys or finding strangers in their rooms.