The Travelodge hotel chain has launched a new investigation following additional allegations that strangers gained access to women's rooms, raising serious concerns about guest safety and security procedures. This development comes after a previous incident where a woman was sexually assaulted by a man who obtained a key card to her room from staff.
Disturbing Incidents Reported by Guests
Two more women have come forward with alarming accounts of unauthorized entry into their Travelodge accommodations. Philippa, a 20-year-old who prefers to use only her first name, described a terrifying experience during her first solo hotel stay when two strangers unlocked her door and entered her room.
"One of the men told me there had been a mix-up with bookings and asked if I had checked in properly," Philippa recounted. "After a brief conversation, they left, but it was absolutely scary."
Inadequate Security Measures
Philippa reported the incident to reception the following day, where she was informed that the staff member she spoke with was actually one of the individuals who had entered her room while checking in another guest. Her complaint resulted in a partial refund, but she noted her door lacked an internal lock or chain, highlighting significant security deficiencies.
In a separate incident from December 2025, Jan Palmer experienced a similar violation during her stay in Bristol. Shortly after midnight, her door opened abruptly and someone entered her room, only leaving after she shouted at them.
"I just shouted 'go away' and heard a woman's voice apologizing before the person left," Palmer said. "After that, I was too frightened to sleep properly for the remainder of my stay."
Company Response and Apology
Travelodge CEO Jo Boydell issued a formal apology in response to these latest reports, acknowledging both the incidents themselves and the company's inadequate handling of the complaints.
"What happened was very upsetting and shouldn't have happened, and I would like to apologize to them both," Boydell stated. "I would also like to apologize for our response and handling of their cases, which was inappropriate. We will ensure these cases form part of the independent review of our room security procedures and our handling of these types of incidents."
Broader Context and Previous Case
These new allegations follow a highly publicized case from 2022 where Kyran Smith, 29, was convicted and sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman at a Travelodge in Maidenhead. Smith had obtained a key card to the victim's room from hotel staff.
The Maidenhead victim has been campaigning for changes to hotel key procedures, and these latest incidents have intensified pressure on Travelodge to implement comprehensive security reforms. Both Philippa and Palmer came forward to share their experiences with the BBC following media coverage of the Maidenhead assault.
Investigation and Refund Outcomes
Despite receiving refunds for their affected stays, both women expressed dissatisfaction with how their complaints were managed. Palmer reported feeling "fobbed off" after never receiving a proper explanation of what exactly occurred during the unauthorized entry into her room.
Travelodge's new investigation will examine not only the specific incidents but also broader security protocols, key card management systems, staff training procedures, and complaint handling mechanisms. The independent review aims to prevent similar occurrences and restore guest confidence in the hotel chain's commitment to safety.
The company faces mounting scrutiny from both the public and political figures, with calls for substantial improvements to protect vulnerable guests, particularly women traveling alone. These incidents underscore the critical importance of robust security measures in the hospitality industry.
