Picking a Safe Place to Stay

How to Pick a Safe Place to Stay as a Solo Female Traveler

Whether it’s your first solo trip or your fiftieth, choosing the right place to stay can make or break your experience and your sense of security. For solo female travelers especially, it’s not just about good Wi-Fi and cute decor. It’s about feeling safe the moment you walk through the door.

Here’s how to confidently choose accommodations that match your vibe and your safety standards.

Start with the Neighborhood Not Just the Hotel

It’s tempting to book based on how close a place is to a must-see landmark, but don’t forget to check what the surrounding area is like.

Here’s how:

• Use Google Street View to do a virtual walk of the block. Are there open businesses? Is it well-lit? Does it feel sketchy?
• Search “[Neighborhood Name] safety for tourists” on Reddit or travel forums.
• Check if your hotel or Airbnb is near busy areas with restaurants, cafes, or other hotels—this usually means better lighting and foot traffic.

Solo Tip: Aim to stay near a central hub, but not right in a party district. Close to the action, but not in the chaos.

Read the Reviews and Read Between the Lines

Don’t just look at the star rating. Dig into the details.

Look for keywords like:

• “Felt safe as a solo female traveler”
• “Well-lit entrance / 24-hour front desk”
• “Secure building / key card access only”

Red flags? Reviews mentioning:

• Noisy or sketchy neighbors
• Lack of staff presence or locked entrances
• Someone saying they felt unsafe (believe them)

Hotel vs. Airbnb: Which Is Safer?

Both can work for solo travel, if you vet them properly.

Hotels:

• Bonus points for 24-hour front desks and room service (no walking at night for food!)
• Chain hotels often have safety standards in place
• Ask for a room not on the ground floor and not at the very end of a hallway

Airbnbs:

• Read host reviews carefully and only book Superhosts with a long history of positive feedback
• Look for listings with secure entry (keypad or smart lock), private entrances, and clear photos of surroundings
• Always message the host beforehand to clarify any questions

Safety Tools That Can Help

Add these to your safety-check toolkit:

• TripAdvisor: Use filters like “solo female travel” and “safe area” in reviews
• Google Maps lists: Save safe spots nearby like 24-hour pharmacies or police stations
• Booking.com** filters**: Look for “24-hour security,” “front desk,” and “security cameras” in amenity tags

Little Details That Mean a Lot

Once you check in, do a quick personal safety scan:

• Is there a deadbolt or chain lock on the door?
• Are there curtains or blackout shades on the windows?
• Does the lock actually work?
• If it’s Airbnb, can you lock your bedroom door from the inside?

Bring a portable doorstop alarm or wedge for added peace of mind. It takes 10 seconds to set up and can make you feel instantly more secure.