The Safest Hotel Floor to Stay On

Avoid staying on the first or second floors of a hotel, as they are easier for criminals to break into from exterior windows or balconies.

Travelers should also steer clear of staying on high floors, if possible.

Kevin Coffey, Travel Safety expert and retired member of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), explains, “Generally, fire departments in major cities have aerial ladders that can reach six to seven stories.” If you’re staying on a higher floor (that the ladders can’t reach) and there is a fire that blocks your exit through the stairwells, you could be trapped. Additionally, staying on higher floors means you will need significantly more time to evacuate a building in the event of an emergency than if you were on a lower floor.

Coffey notes that this advice is for “Major westernized cities that have modern firefighting equipment.” Coffey says, “In some international underdeveloped cities and countries, this could be limited to floors 3 to 4, depending on the fire equipment.”

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Why avoid staying on the ground floor?

• Ground-floor rooms are more prone to break-ins.
• Fires often start in hotel kitchens or lobbies.

Why avoid staying on high floors?

• Emergency responders may take longer to reach you.
• Elevator shutdowns during emergencies mean you’ll face long stair climbs or descents (depending on whether going down is safer or going to the roof is safer).

Staying in a room that faces the parking lot can also pose a risk, as they are easier targets for thieves who want a quick getaway.

Floors three through six are generally the safest floors to stay on in cities with modernized firefighting equipment, or floors three to four in destinations without. These levels are the sweet spot of being in a good position to evacuate quickly, without being easily accessible from the outside.

In general, hotels are safer than ever before thanks to keycard-access elevators, surveillance cameras in hallways and common areas, room door sensors and smart locks, and mobile alerts from hotel apps in case of emergencies.

Floor | Pros
1st : Fastest Exit, good for mobility needs
2nd-4th: Fire-accessibility, walkable if elevators fail
5th-6th: Balance of safety and quiet
7+: Better views, quieter

Floor | Cons
1st : High theft risk, fire origin proximity
2nd-4th: Slightly more street noise
5th-6th: Longer emergency exits
7+: Harder to evacuate quickly

• Always use the deadbolt and latch
• Leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on when away.
• Avoid sharing your room number aloud.
• Use a mini doorstop alarm or wedge for peace of mind.
• Use the hotel safe or a portable travel safe.

Is it safer to take the stairs or the elevator?

In general, use elevators unless there is an emergency. In case of fire, always use the stairs.

What is the safest floor for solo women travelers?

Avoid isolated wings or far corners. Ask for well-trafficked floors and near-elevator rooms. Teach boys to leave girls alone so women do not have to be fearful about traveling alone.

What is the quietest “safe” floor?

Floors 4-6 tend to be quiet yet within the “safe zone” for emergencies.