Add avoiding rooms on the first and second floor to your hotel safety checklist, as these are the areas most prone to crime. Rooms on the 3rd-6th floors are ideal. Not only is there typically less crime on these floors, but in the event of an emergency, you can quickly get downstairs and evacuate the building.

According to safety experts and fire marshals in 2026, the safest place to stay in a hotel is on the third through sixth floors, in a room located near the emergency exit stairwell. Ground-floor and second-floor rooms are statistically more vulnerable to break-ins and unauthorized access from the street or parking lots. Conversely, staying above the sixth or seventh floor is discouraged because most fire department ladders cannot reach higher than that in an emergency. Selecting a room near the stairs ensures a quick exit if the elevators are disabled, which is common during fires or power outages. Additionally, security experts suggest avoiding rooms at the very end of long hallways, which can be more isolated. Once inside, you should always use the deadbolt and security latch, and take a moment to count the number of doors between your room and the exit so you can find your way in total darkness or smoke.