Real talk: when you check into a hotel, the bare minimum expectation is that your room is actually secure. A new independent review just dropped a major L for Travelodge, revealing the company 'fundamentally failed' a guest who was sexually assaulted at their Maidenhead location in December 2022. Barrister Paul Greaney KC, who led the investigation, didn't hold back, stating that the chain's security protocols at the time were 'not fit for the purpose of keeping guests safe.' The situation went south fast: the perpetrator, Kyran Smith, lied to the front desk, claiming to be the victim’s boyfriend. The receptionist handed him the key in under three minutes—with zero training in key security, no cap. Smith was later jailed for seven-and-a-half years. The review found that blame falls on Travelodge as an organization, citing a toxic culture where room intrusions were lowkey normalized as just 'one of those things.' To make matters worse, when the victim emailed CEO Jo Boydell in January 2023, the office handled it without telling her. The CEO didn't even see the email until March 2026. While Travelodge has apologized 'unreservedly' and started making policy updates this March, the stats are still giving major red flags: room intrusions were reported at nearly 10% of their hotels this past summer, and the company currently lacks any formal policy regarding violence against women and girls. ## Why it matters Whether you're traveling for a gig, a weekend trip, or a quick getaway, your safety is the #1 asset. This investigation highlights a major breakdown in corporate accountability and duty of care. For the company, this is a massive reputational hit—if they can't lock down their security protocols, their brand equity and future bookings are definitely at risk.