World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Hotel groups review room security after Travelodge assault case
A woman was attacked in a Travelodge room in Maidenhead by a man who had been given a keycard to her room.
A review of the case found room security problems were widespread, not limited to Travelodge.
Ramesh Ganeson of Merlin Entertainments said room-access failures stem from human error, such as staff not following procedures.
Merlin has retrained staff at its guest hotels on room access and key handling.
Whitbread, which owns Premier Inn, is also reviewing staff training and procedures, and has reminded guests about the extra door lock.
The case has prompted hotels to review security across the sector because guests rely on hotels to keep them safe.
Hotel groups are reviewing staff training and security procedures after a sexual assault at a Travelodge in Maidenhead.
A review of the case found room security issues were widespread and not limited to one business.
Merlin Entertainments has launched refresher training for staff at its guest hotels, while Premier Inn is reviewing its training and procedures.
Merlin hotel operations executive Ramesh Ganeson said room-security failures were caused by human error and could damage the sector’s reputation.
- Who
- Merlin Entertainments and Premier Inn are reviewing hotel security practices. The case involved a woman attacked at a Travelodge.
- What
- Hotel groups are reviewing staff training and room-access procedures after a sexual assault case.
- When
- The review efforts followed a recent assault case. The article was published on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- The assault took place at a Travelodge in Maidenhead, Berkshire.
- Why
- A review found room-security issues were widespread, raising concerns about hotel security across the sector.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A review by barrister Paul Greaney KC was commissioned after a woman was attacked at a Travelodge in Maidenhead.
Greaney’s review found room-security issues were widespread and not restricted to one business.
Merlin launched refresher training for staff at its guest hotels, and Premier Inn began reviewing its training and procedures.
Merlin plans to open a Minecraft World Hotel at its Chessington resort.
- Assault location
- Travelodge in Maidenhead, Berkshire
- Review author
- Barrister Paul Greaney KC
- Merlin staff response
- Refresher training for staff at its guest hotels
- Premier Inn response
- Reviewing staff training and procedures
- Planned hotel
- 69 themed rooms at Chessington, due to open in 2027
What people are saying
room security failures “will dent the (sector’s) reputation, as the guests trust that they’re safe to be there outside the home
not being trained well enough or being lazy
We took it as an opportunity to look at our procedures and our training for staff.
You can never be complacent on safety because it is so fundamental,