- Merlin Entertainments has rolled out retraining for staff at its guest hotels after a Travelodge sexual assault case.
- A man received a keycard to a guest’s room at a Travelodge in Maidenhead, Berkshire.
- An independent review by barrister Paul Greaney KC found room intrusion risks across the hotel industry.
- Merlin Entertainments operates hotels at Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures.
- Premier Inn owner Whitbread is reviewing procedures and training.
Hotel operators are reviewing security procedures after keycard and room intrusion incidents. Merlin Entertainments has rolled out refreshed retraining for staff at its guest hotels. The move follows an independent review by barrister Paul Greaney KC into a sexual assault at a Travelodge in Maidenhead, Berkshire, where a man received a keycard to a guest’s room.
The review concluded that room intrusion risks are widespread across the hotel industry and not restricted to a single operator. Merlin’s vice president of hotel operations and global performance, Ramesh Ganeson, warned that room intrusion problems risk damaging the sector’s reputation. Merlin operates hotels at Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures.
Premier Inn owner Whitbread is reviewing procedures and training. The sector review covers staff training, identification verification and guest access procedures. Merlin has focused retraining on room access and key handovers.
