Merlin Entertainments has begun retraining hotel employees after a sexual assault at a Travelodge in Maidenhead, as a review cited by The Independent raised wider concerns about hotel room security.
Ramesh Ganeson, Merlin's vice president of hotel operations and global performance, told the Press Association that Merlin had not experienced room-security problems. The company launched refreshed training for staff at its guest hotels to reinforce rules for room access and key distribution.
Ganeson said the room-key systems were robust and that security failures would result only from human error. He said lapses could undermine confidence in the hotel industry. Merlin also uses staff training and role-play exercises, according to the report.
The Independent said a man with a keycard to a guest's room attacked a woman at the Maidenhead, Berkshire, Travelodge. The Independent reported that a review by barrister Paul Greaney KC found room-security issues extended beyond Travelodge.
Whitbread owns Premier Inn. Chief Executive Dominic Paul told the Press Association that the chain was reviewing its staff training and procedures after the case. He said the company had reinforced identity checks and verification steps with employees and reminded guests about the additional lock inside room doors.
