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  • About Me

    Anne Marie
    Black women of every age and income bracket can and should consider solo traveling and living abroad either permanently or semi-permanently.

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Safety Tips for Hotel & Short Term Rentals

December 4, 2022

In this blog post I will share some safety tips you should use when checking into and staying at, a hotel or short term rental like Airbnb, VRBO, etc.

As some of you may know, in my prior life, I oversaw Operations for multiple international development firms. Within my duties was oversight of Global Security. In other words, I was responsible for ensuring that thousands of people traveled the world and worked abroad safely. So, you could say I do know somethings about travel safety and security. I have also traveled to over 35 countries (and counting) many solo.

Here are my top tips for Hotels and Vacation Rentals. They are grouped separately because while both types of accommodations there are differences you should pay attention to.

For All Accommodations

  1. Do your homework before booking. Read the reviews before booking. If you see anything negative pick a different hotel or rental accommodation. If booking with Airbnb stick to super hosts.
  2. Research the area or neighborhood where you will stay before booking. If a short-term rental, ask your host though they are unlikely to give you an honest assessment. Who is going to say the neighborhood surrounding their rental is unsafe? Conduct an independent investigation of your own.  Great sources for information of this kind are Wiki articles, TripAdvisor, Tripit. Booking.com, Facebook groups and travel blogs are also helpful.
  3. Have a check in buddy. This is a friend or relative who has access to your itinerary and knows where you are at all times.  Let them know when you’re leaving the hotel and when you return each day. 

Hotels

  1. At check-in, ask the Reservation desk to write down your room number. They should not announce it or say it out loud.  If the front desk announces your room number, politely ask for another room assignment and that they write it down instead of saying it out loud. When traveling alone, it is best to ensure that no one knows your hotel room unless you want them to know it.
  2. Avoid the first floor. Ask to stay on floors 2 thru 4 no higher. It is advisable to select floor where you can get to the first floor or out of a window easily.  High floors are great for views, not so much for prompt exit during an emergency.
  3. Upon arrival and after check in, take a moment to identify the exit points and the emergency exits. Consider taking the stairs once a day (Mornings are best) so you know how to get out of the hotel without the elevator.
  4. Keep the privacy tag on your door. Only take it off when you want your room cleaned.
  5. Keep your doors locked. If the door has multiple locks, use them all. Consider using supplemental locks like a Door Jamm and Addalock as supplemental security for your door.

There are a lot more people with potential access to your room at hotels. Building security, housekeeping and maintenance. Don’t assume you’re safer then at a short-term rental because you are not so be sure to keep your room door locked properly at all times.

Short Term Rentals

  1. Do your homework before booking. Read the reviews and house rules before booking. If you see anything negative pick a different rental. If booking with Airbnb stick to super hosts.
  2. Research the area or neighborhood where you will stay before booking. You can ask your host though they are unlikely to give you an honest assessment. Who is going to say the neighborhood surrounding their rental is unsafe? Conduct an independent investigation of your own.  Great sources for information of this kind are Wiki articles, TripAdvisor, Tripit. Facebook groups and travel blogs are also helpful.
  3. Ask the host any and all questions that you have before booking. Be sure to ask whether anyone else will have entry access to the rental during your stay. This could be housekeeping or building security.
  4. When you arrive walk through the space, and videotape it. Check the locks of all entry/exit points and internal doors especially the bedroom and bathroom doors. Note whether any do not lock. If any of the external doors do not lock properly contact the Host immediately and consider finding somewhere else to stay if the issue cannot be resolved immediately (same day). 
  5. If you check into a high-rise building, note location of emergency exits. Take the stairs once a day (Mornings are best) so you know how to get out of the building without the elevator.
  6. Bring your own Door Jamm and Addalock as supplemental security for your bedroom or external entry point door.

I hope you find this safety tip helpful!

Get more Travel Safety and Security Tip in the downloadable Bald Girl Will Travel: Guide to Travel Safety & Security for Solo Female Travelers.

I spent 15 of my 20+ years in Management overseeing global security. I put together this guide to share some of the many things I learned over those years so that women can feel more confident traveling alone.

The most important thing to remember when traveling alone, especially as a woman, is to practice situational awareness and common sense. If it feels wrong even for a minute don’t do it. 

Thank You For Reading!

Subscribe to this website and GET YOUR FREE DIGITAL TEAM CARRY-ON PACKING GUIDE FOR THE FLY 40+ WOMAN!

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Check out these solo travel blog posts:

HOW TO TAKE GREAT PHOTOS ON SOLO TRAVEL: 5 THINGS TO DO!

3 WAYS TO BUILD A SOLO TRAVEL MINDSET

10 SOLO TRAVEL MISTAKES TO AVOID!

4 MORE OF MY FAVORITE SAFETY APPS & GADGETS FOR SOLO TRAVEL!

7 SAFETY TIPS FOR WOMEN OVER 40 TRAVELING SOLO

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates, and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

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Blog Posts  / Solo Travel  / Solo Travel Tips  / Travel Planning  / Travel Safety & Security

Anne Marie Archer
I am on a mission to make solo travel accessible and fun for everyone, especially Black Women over 40, and to dispel the myth that women over 50 can’t be fashionable, comfortable, and still travel #TeamCarryon.

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  • About Me

    Anne Marie

    Hi I'm Anne Marie. I Quit my high six-figure income job, jumped off the hamster wheel, exited the American Rat Race, packed up my house and moved to Mexico in May 2021. Now I am embracing my love of solo travel while working as an HR consultant and connecting Black Women Coaches to those who need them via The BlackWomen Coach™ Directory (www.blackwomencoach.com). I have traveled to over 40 countries and I want Black Women over 40 to embrace solo travel! Stop waiting for your girlfriends, husband, boyfriend to get on the road. Go see the world and live your best authentic unapologetic and free life right now.

    We each have this one precious life – you owe it to yourself to live your life to the fullest NOW!

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    The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical or legal advice. Readers should consult with a licensed professional to get advice for their individual situation. See the Disclaimer and Terms of Use for more information. Copyright BaldGirlWillTravel,LLC 2022. This website, Baldgirlwilltravel, LLC, And all trademarks and other intellectual property used herein are the property of MegEd Enterprises LLC.

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    Over 50 I Solo Travel for self care you should too! 30+🌍 & counting✈️

    baldgirlwilltravel
    Have you grabbed your spot to meet up with me in Z Have you grabbed your spot to meet up with me in Zanzibar yet? 

This is a bucket list experience you don’t want to miss.

Meet up with me for an epic girls trip to beautiful Zanzibar island, Tanzania!

Trip itinerary and cost includes
Visits and stays in two locations filled with stellar excursions and experiences

📍STONETOWN

Spend 2 nights in the Historic Seaside Capital of StoneTown 

*5 star Hotel Accommodations Breakfast included daily 

📌 Welcome Dinner
📌 Feed the Turtles at Prison Island & visit Nakupenda
📌 Walking Tour of the Historic Stonetown 
📌Night Market Shopping at the Famous Fordahani Market 
📌Spice Farm Tour
📌 Lunch and photo op at the world famous Rock Restaurant

📍NUNGWI BEACH
Spend 5 nights in one of the most beautiful locations, in the World, Nungwi Beach

📌 4 star all-inclusive Hotel Accommodations 
📌 Mnemba Island Tour 
📌 Sunset Dhow Boat Cruise 
📌 Swim with Turtles Go Dolphin chasing 
📌 Sunday Group Brunch
📌 Dinner on the Beach 
📌 Happy Hour and Dancing 
📌 Farewell Dinner

single and double occupancy rooms available

If you’ve been dreaming of Zanzibar, this is your opportunity

$350 deposit with payment plans available.  Booking Closes October 1 2023

Grab your spot at the link in bio 

See you in the sun! 🌞🌞🌞 🎥 @osmanzanzibar  #zanzibar #zanzibar🇹🇿 #zanzibarisland #girlstrip #solo #solotravel #africa #bucketlist #visitzanzibar #travel #seesomeworld #seesomeafrica #blackwomentravel #melanin #melaninonthemap #melanatedwanderlust #traveler #grouptrips
    This is just some of the yummy food. I consumed on This is just some of the yummy food. I consumed on the island of Trinidad and Tobago. Not photographed is the numerous Julie mango that I consumed and the amazing food I ate during my day tour with @islandgirltourstt or the doubles I had on Arapita Avenue 😋😋😋 or that delicious fried chicken I had in the airport at Royal Castle! all I can tell you is I eat good for the entire time not a single bad meal. Not one. Trinidad and Tobago is food heaven. #iykyk #foodie #yummy #yummyfood #trinifood #trinidad #tobago #foodporn #goodeats
    Let’s Meet up for an Epic Galentines Girls Trip Let’s Meet up for an Epic Galentines Girls Trip to Negril Jamaica!

Meet Up with me and celebrate Valentines Day 2024 (or as I like to call it “Galentines Day”) in Negril Jamaica

We will be at the All inclusive Hotel Riu Negril for 5 nights and 6 days of FUNNNNNNN Jamaica Style!

We will be glass bottom boat riding, bar crawling and cliff jumping at Ricks! 

This is a Rich Auntie Girls Trip and this is NOT a retreat.

There will be no circles or chanting BUT 
there WILL Be Dancing & Day Drinking!!!!

Single and Double Occupancy Rooms available with garden and ocean views starting at $1372 pp. Book by May 29th and get $100 Off your package!  Deposits are only $119 per person and Payment Plan Options are available.

Get the details and grab your space at the link in bio.

Packages include:
Hotel Accommodations (all inclusive)
Airport Transfers
Travel Insurance
All the Excursions listed on itinerary

*Room rates subject to change until deposit is made!!!

Grab your spot at the Link in the Bio!!!

See you in the Sun! #jamaica #negril #valentines #galentinesday #letsgo #girlstrip #meetupwithme #meetup #grouptrips
    Save and Share Trinidad is mainly famous for Carn Save and Share

Trinidad is mainly famous for Carnival and steel pan but it has so much more to offer. The island and  its capital Port of Spain has a rich cultural history and it is a foodie paradise.

During my short but pleasant stay in Trinidad, I did a Port of Spain City Highlights and Maracas Bay Tour and boy am I glad I did! 

I did the tour with Los Exploradorestt Tours Ltd and my tour guide Jeffrey was amazing. We drove around Port of Spain and I got a proper history lesson about the city and many of its key historical figure.  But the highlight of the tour was stopping at The Roti Cafe and grabbing my first (but hopefully not my last) seafood roti to go and of course the outstanding Bake & Shark Sandwich I had when we got to Maracas Bay. 

If you are ever in Port of Spain I highly recommend this tour. You’re welcome!

Wanna visit Tobago with me? Details on my Mother’s Day 2024 meet up coming soon 

Subscribe to my website for details 

Don’t forget to grab your spot at one of my 2024 Fly 40+ girls trips! We are going to be doing dope ish all over the world!!!

📍Zanzibar Tanzania - January 8-15, 2024

📍Negril Jamaica - February 13-18, 2024

Just added! Who
📍Istanbul and Cappadocia, Turkiye (Turkey) - April 20-25, 2024 

and rumor has it Tuscany, and Sicily and some other dope spots are in the works ;)

Packages are inclusive of accommodations, transfers and excursions!

Grab your spot at the link in bio!

SEE YOU IN THE SUN🌞🌞🌴

#letsgo #visittobago #tobago #tobagosweet #grouptravel #grouptrip #Travel #visittrinidad #portofspain #maracasbay #roti #bakeandshark #zanzibar #flyageless #over40 #over50travel #letsgo #lewego #blackwomentravel #wegotoo #melanintravel #blackwomen #melanin #solotravel #girlstrip #meetup
    Choosing myself my peace and my happiness away fro Choosing myself my peace and my happiness away from America is the best decision I’ve ever made. Choose yourself.  Whatever that looks like for you - choose yourself. #free #chooseyourself #freeyourself #happinessisaninsidejob #travel #solotravel #tobago #visittobago
    For very long time Jamaica was my happy place. It For very long time Jamaica was my happy place. It was a place that I would go to over and over again when I wanted to get away or just have a really great time in a short period of time. My favorite place on the island has always been Negril.  And I have wanted to return for quite some time, and now I finally am. And I couldn’t think of a better time to be there than Valentine’s Day 

So I am planning a Galentine‘s day meet up  February 23-18 2024. I have planned some really cool and fun excursions. There will be day drinking. There will be dancing. There will be partying, but there will also be time for you to hang out with yourself and just chill around the beach and pool and do absolutely nothing. 
We will be at an all inclusive resort. Where all meals drinks including alcohol will be included because it is Jamaica after all.🤷🏾‍♀️🌴

So Join me for a Girls Trip to my favorite place in Jam Down - Negril!

We will hang out for five nights and six days and jam down and jam down #IYKYK

Packages start at $1372 single and double occupancy with garden and or ocean views available. Airport transfers to your hotel , travel insurance and excursions are all included in the quoted price. 

The deposit to hold your spot is only $119* 

Please note that package prices are subject to change until you pay your deposit. 

So I suggest you book ASAP. 

I am already booked and set to go and I’ll see you guys there.

Grab your spot with your deposit at the link in bio  #girlstrip #jamaica #jamdown #galentinesday #meetup #letdgo #flyageless #40plus #blackwomen #wegotoo #melanin #blackwomentravel
    📍Nakupenda Beach, Zanzibar Island, Tanzania. Ju 📍Nakupenda Beach, Zanzibar Island, Tanzania. Just added as an excursion activity in my meet up in Zanzibar Tanzania, January 8-15,2024. We will stop here after we visit prison island. Because why not🌴🤷🏾‍♀️🙂 we still have some spots available for this trip. You make book at the link in bio.
Join my girls trip meet up to Zanzibar island, Tanzania!
Trip itinerary and cost includes
Visits and stays in two locations filled with stellar excursions and experiences

📍STONETOWN

Spend 2 nights in the Historic Seaside Capital of StoneTown 

*5 star Hotel Accommodations Breakfast included daily 

📌 Welcome Dinner
📌 Feed the Turtles at Prison Island & visit Nakupenda
📌 Walking Tour of the Historic Stonetown 
📌Night Market Shopping at the Famous Fordahani Market 
📌Spice Farm Tour
📌 Lunch and photo op at the world famous Rock Restaurant

📍NUNGWI BEACH
Spend 5 nights in one of the most beautiful locations, in the World, Nungwi Beach

📌 4 star all-inclusive Hotel Accommodations 
📌 Mnemba Island Tour 
📌 Sunset Dhow Boat Cruise 
📌 Swim with Turtles Go Dolphin chasing 
📌 Sunday Group Brunch
📌 Dinner on the Beach 
📌 Happy Hour and Dancing 
📌 Farewell Dinner

single and double occupancy rooms available

If you’ve been dreaming of Zanzibar, this is your opportunity

$350 deposit with payment plans available.  Booking Closes October 1 2023

Grab your spot at the link in bio 

See you in the sun! 🌞🌞🌞#zanzibar #zanzibar🇹🇿 #zanzibarisland #girlstrip #solo #solotravel #africa #bucketlist #visitzanzibar #travel #seesomeworld #seesomeafrica #blackwomentravel #melanin #melaninonthemap #melanatedwanderlust #traveler #grouptrips
    Let’s Meet up for an Epic Galentines Girls Trip Let’s Meet up for an Epic Galentines Girls Trip to Negril Jamaica

I’m going to Jamaica and I’d like you to come with me!

Join me for a Girls Trip to my favorite place in Jam Down - Negril!

We will spend 5 nights and 6 days lazing on the beach, drinking cocktails, with excursions that include a bar crawl, glass bottom boat cruise and a Valentines Day at the beach and Ricks Cafe (cliff jumping anyone?).

You will have plenty time for sun and fun on your own as well as with a small group of Fly 40+ women.

The deposit to hold your spot is only $119* 

Book right away at the link in Bio to guarantee your spot at the current rates. 

Double and Single Occupancy packages available starting at $1373 per person. 

Packages include an all inclusive stay at the Hotel Riu Negril, excursions and airport transfers. Book you flight and meet me in Jamaica for Valentines - ahem Galentines Day!

*Room rates subject to change until deposit is made!!!

Grab your spot at the link in the bio! #jamdown #negril #lewego #girlstrip #flyageless #fly40 #blackwomen #blackwomentravel #jamaica #visitnegril
    🎥 @osmanzanzibar This dreamy Hotel will be the 🎥 @osmanzanzibar  This dreamy Hotel will be the location of the first two days of my 7-day Zanzibar girls trip  January 8-15 2024. We still have spots available so grab yours at this link: https://bgwtadventures.squadtrip.com/trip/1814

Payment plan options available 🙂🌴 #visitzanzibar #zanzibar #girlstrip #meetup  #africa #seesomeworld #letsgo  #forsistersonly #flyageless #blackwomen #blackwomentravel #wegotoo #parkhyattzanzibar
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