Running a hotel is no easy feat. From checking in guests to cooking, cleaning and organising staff, there will always be something new at the top of the to-do list. However, one thing that should always be at the forefront is hotel security. Something that should never be on guests’ minds, but always on yours. Keep reading as be cover how to improve hotel security.
It is important to have a high level of hotel security as it acts to protect your guests, staff, buildings and other assets. Without adequate security, there are a number of incidents that could occur within a hotel including:
It is therefore vital that your hotel security is at the highest level to prevent any incidents from occurring and keeping your guests and staff safe.
The hospitality sector faces unique and evolving challenges. While general crime figures fluctuate, the risk of serious fire incidents remains a persistent threat. The UK government mandates rigorous fire safety compliance, with fire incidents in the hospitality and residential service sector, though thankfully rare, having devastating consequences. This constant need for risk management is why proactive security planning is non-negotiable for anyone operating within the leisure or hospitality industry. We have extensively covered the specific security and fire solutions required for the hospitality industry in a dedicated guide to hospitality security, acknowledging that hotels often serve as complex, temporary residences.
Read on the discover our top ways to improve your hotel’s security.
Installing a CCTV system with high-quality cameras will instantly improve your hotel security and improve your ability to keep an eye on activity across your entire premises. Not only will CCTV catch any criminal activity in the act, but it will also deter any burglars or criminals in the first place from targeting your hotel, due to the fear of being watched and caught on camera.
Modern commercial CCTV systems, particularly those with high-resolution 4K and AI capabilities, offer significant benefits beyond simple surveillance. They can integrate directly with management systems, flagging suspicious activity in real-time, which is essential for busy reception areas and large properties.
When considering an upgrade, it’s important to remember that not all systems are created equal; consulting a complete guide to the types of CCTV cameras can help you choose a solution capable of providing clear, evidential footage, even in challenging light conditions. Furthermore, hotel owners must be acutely aware of their legal obligations when monitoring public and staff areas.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) provides clear guidance on the use of CCTV, particularly concerning data protection and the necessity of informing staff and guests about surveillance, which is a key part of compliance with GDPR.
The locks on hotel room doors are arguable the most important aspect of hotel security, as it is the last stage to reaching a guest’s possessions. They, therefore, need to be of high quality, durable and regularly maintained and checked for damage.
If you are still using traditional locks and keys, it is definitely time to update your lock system. Traditional keys can be copied and this creates a major security issue and compromises the security of your guests. Update to an electronic lock and key system for maximum security.
Part of your electronic lock and key systems for hotel room keys, an access control system manages where your guests and staff members can go, when and where, with just one key (usually in the form of a key card or key fob). You are therefore able to control and limit where your guests can roam and improve the overall security of your hotel. For example, you may want to stop non-guests being able to access lifts and stairways to hotel rooms or from using hotel facilities such as a gym or pool.
In addition, you may want to stop guests from entering ‘staff only’ areas such as the kitchen or reception desk. This is all possible with an access control system, which will significantly improve your hotel security.
Beyond guest rooms, modern networked access control is vital for securing sensitive back-of-house areas such as server rooms, utility infrastructure, and financial offices. Limiting access to these areas mitigates both internal theft risks and potential operational sabotage. For large commercial premises, managing this level of complexity requires a robust system, and you can learn more about the best practices for managing access control in large commercial premises to ensure scalability. For instance, in facilities that include restaurants and bars, implementing a strict fire door maintenance schedule is crucial to ensure that security measures do not compromise fire containment, a common regulatory challenge in integrated hotel design.
By training your staff in the importance of hotel security as well as the steps they can take to make a difference will instantly help to improve the overall safety and security of your guests, employees and premises. The more security awareness staff have, the more likely they will act to improve it, know what to look out for, as well as hold the knowledge in what to do if a security-based incident does occur.
Effective staff training is the human layer of security. Hotel personnel are the first responders to nearly all incidents, from minor guest disputes to major security alerts. Training should go beyond simply using the equipment; it must establish a clear security-first culture. This includes detailed instruction on emergency protocols, such as using different types of fire extinguishers and understanding the importance of emergency lighting during an evacuation. Regular refresher courses ensure the team is prepared for diverse scenarios, including recognising and reporting suspicious packages or persons.
The importance of this training is underscored by reports from organisations like the Security Industry Association (SIA), which notes that threat awareness significantly drives the need for sophisticated, yet manageable, security protocols in high-traffic commercial environments.
As trustworthy as some people may seem, you can never guarantee that security breaches and crime aren’t being carried out from the inside i.e your staff. By carrying out proficient background checks on your staff, such as past criminal convictions, you are ensuring they are not likely to be working against you and putting your guests and other staff members at risk.
Interacting with your guests is not only a friendly gesture and way of providing a good customer experience, but it also helps you gain more information about your guests and to key an eye on what is happening around your hotel.
Another way to significantly improve your hotel security is to start a remote monitoring contract with a qualified security provider. Remote monitoring acts to oversee and monitor all your connected systems 24 hours a day, such as CCTV, alarms and access control and send your notifications when these are triggered or activated. This is especially useful during out of hours, as well as if you have a large site. If there is an intruder or suspicious activity, you’ll be notified immediately.
The benefits of remote monitoring extend far beyond simple notification. A professionally managed service provides visual verification of an alarm trigger, distinguishing a genuine threat from a false alarm. This leads to faster, more effective police response where necessary.
Integrating remote monitoring with intruder alarm monitoring services ensures that your security platform remains active and responsive even when the premises are unstaffed. This 24/7 oversight is particularly valuable for businesses, such as those in property management, that handle multiple sites, guaranteeing round-the-clock protection without reliance on in-house security teams.
There are therefore multiple ways to improve your overall hotel security, with some being internal processes and others that require an external security provider.
BusinessWatch is an NSI approved provider and installer of CCTV systems, access control, remote monitoring and more. We have significant experience within the hotel and hospitality industries and can provide your with a bespoke security solution to improve your hotel security.
Get in touch today on 0330 094 7404 for a free, no-obligation quotation.
